Monday, May 11, 2009

The Austrians Are Coming

Re-enacting the defense of Livorno in 1849Today is the 160th anniversary of the unsuccessful popular defence of Livorno during the Austrian invasion of Tuscany in 1849. Last Saturday a picturesque historical re-enacting of the fighting took place in our streets.
Re-enacting the defense of Livorno in 1849Some brave Livornesi literally fly (see the one on the left) to fight the invaders breaking into the city walls through a breach near “Porta San Marco” (Saint Mark Gate).
Re-enacting the defense of Livorno in 1849The Livornesi are outnumbred: the Austrians are many, strong, disciplined and otrageously well dressed.
Re-enacting the defense of Livorno in 1849Everything comes to an end with a last enchange of gunfire in “Piazza della Repubblica”, then the occupation begins.

See also: Shall We Dance? - Balliamo - Fanfara dei Carabinieri

24 comments:

Copenhagen said...

Would be nice if I could attend the re-enactment.

joo said...

Real battle on the streets? Must be an interesting event. Great history lesson - thanks:)

cieldequimper said...

Oh wow that's cool, a good way to teach kids, too. I love the first shot!

stromsjo said...

What a way to start a Monday morning, being occupied! I imagine this is quite an attraction for tourists as well.

henny said...

And who are these people willing enough to be the Austrians? They're well experienced, too, I know it from their white beard.
In the last photo, how many victims?

Stefan Jansson said...

Looks like a real battle. Thanks for the history lesson.

Antjas said...

This reminds me very much of our revolutionary war reenactments. They make for really colorful and action packed photos. Thanks for the history lesson.

brattcat said...

Terrific sequence. You can almost hear the chaos of battle looking at these. That fellow with the yellow feather in the first photo really looks anguished.

Hilda said...

Oh wow, I'd love to be able to watch something like this in person! Looks exciting, but such a sad ending for Livorno.

'Outrageously well dressed' got me giggling. But I like your Livornesi's outfits better :D

B SQUARED said...

Bet there was a great party after the reenactment.

VP said...

@ henny - Several of these groups came from abroad, maybe they are really Austrian: they shouted orders in German for sure!
In the real battle hundreds of Livornesi died or were executed as rebels.

@ BSquared - Strangely enough the party was before, but this is for tomorrow...

Halcyon said...

Oh yes - keep those Osterreichers out!!! :)

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Fascinating history lesson. Rather broad minded that the reenactment is of a battle lost. In the USA some people like to do Civil War battle reenactments. When I worked for the Congressman in whose district the Antietam Battlefield is located (the bloodiest single day of battle in the Civil War), there was a problem with one of the reenactments. One of the the participants forgot to remove the steel ramrod from his muzzle loading musket. Fortunately, the steel ramrod went whizzing right over the crowd of spectators. People need to be careful, even in pretend battles.

Lowell said...

What a bunch of great shots! Superb job, Vogon Poet!

It almost looks real!

Unknown said...

Brilliant shots of this event. And a sad story for sure.

We had a similar event in Copenhagen two years ago to commemorate the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 by the British. Lots of fun (the reenactment that is) and a great opportunity to take some photos.

amatamari© said...

Exceptional set of images!!!
This historical is fascinating like your photos...
:-)

Bravo!

Saretta said...

What fun! I wish my sons could have seen that!

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting post!
Many thanks for sharing
Léia

crocrodyl said...

Great idea to organize such re-enacting:) Excellent photos - I feel like on the battle field!

Baruch said...

Very interesting photos and great capture of the re-enactment

Tash said...

Wow! looks pretty real. Thanks for sharing the action.

Richard said...

Well, i am jealeous.:). More pics, more story.

henny said...

Grazie.

Unseen India Tours said...

I Love These Kind Of Pictures !!!Very Well Shot