Coming back from our mission in Pisan territory hunting for an oversized sea beaver, we drove through “Via delle Cateratte” (Water-Gates Road), where two old chimneys of the now defunct “Vetreria Borma” (Borma Glass Factory) are still standing.
The 60 meter chimneys are all that is left of the old factory. Until a few years ago a canal, now interred, ran for all the length of the road, which now borders the port area on the left.
Where the factory once was, behind the chimneys, there are now the buildings of the Customs Office of Livorno.
Coming back from our mission in Pisan territory hunting for an oversized sea beaver, we drove through “Via delle Cateratte” (Water-Gates Road), where two old chimneys of the now defunct “Vetreria Borma” (Borma Glass Factory) are still standing.
The 60 meter chimneys are all that is left of the old factory. Until a few years ago a canal, now interred, ran for all the length of the road, which now borders the port area on the left.
Where the factory once was, behind the chimneys, there are now the buildings of the Customs Office of Livorno.
16 comments:
Wow V.P. This reminds me of a larger version of something here in Newtown. The one in Newtown only has one chimney and it's smaller. When I get the chance I'll do a post about it to see if you agree. The Newtown one has an interesting history but it's now offices too. Could there be more that links Livorno and Newtown besides the Giovanni Fattori iceman? :)
The old chimney stacks of yesteryear are a reminder of industry. We have quite a number, but many of them are silent/unused now.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
The chimneys are fabulous spires, remnants of a time past, but those customs offices speak volumes about the size and importance of Livorno as a seaport!
I can understand why the city kept the chimneys — they're impressive and a great reminder of its industrial history. The customs buildings don't look bad either. Upscale warehouses. :)
Such tall chimneys! And they bravely stand still as the only reminder of their time, even the canal is gone but they're still there! Fascinating!
God bless you!
Cezar
I like reminders of industry like these. What kind of glass was it?
Man, those are tall!
The chimney in closeup is very impressive too.
It must be very light inside the Customs Office.
It's always good to see how building are put to new use. Recycle is good!
I wonder what they plan to do with the chimneys? The new buildings look very nice!
Such sensitivity to history. Building the custom house in a reproduction of a factory. And, preserving & shoring up 60 meter smoke stacks! So much effort & expense to preserve the past. Such respect for the past! Great post.
@ James - Livorno was considered a model of the New Town when it was designed and my real name is the Italian version of yours.
@ Jacob - Importance quite difficult to keep nowadays.
@ Cezar - Just keep in mind that we could dig again that canal any day, it is already happening somewhere else in town...
@ ciel - I think mostly industrial raw glass. Time ago there was an influx of master glass blowers from France, whose family names still exist in Livorno. I'll try to do a post about it.
The Saint-Gobain group has still a factory in Pisa.
How curious that the chimneys are still there although the building is gone.
Hmmm. The customs buildings must employ lots of workers.
I like this sort of industrial landscape and I think it comes off good in photos. Nice shots.
Wow, they really stand out a bit. Glad that they were saved.
It was very clever leaving the chimneys, they are fantastic!
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