Exactly a month after the “Mercatino Americano” left “Piazza XX Settembre”, and after weeks of polemics about the abandoned stalls, the old shanty town is being torn to pieces.
Like many Livornesi of my age or younger, I have never seen this square as it was: a tree lined “piazza” in front of the church of “San Benedetto”. In the meantime many trees were lost, but we gained a statue of an unlucky Grand Duke.
Several ideas were floated for the reborn square: residents would like more parking space, while some brilliant minds would like to transform it in a place d'Italie “like the square in Paris”.
[Place d'Italie, 13e arrondissement, from Bing Maps]
I guess they have never been in Paris or simply remember the wrong place, without ever bothering to check it out.
A lone stall keeper has, since now, refused to move and is still displaying his merchandise amidst the ongoing demolition.
This is a very interesting post! I'm sure you will show us the final look of the place... when it's done! :-) As for now, the Grand Duque can take a big breath!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I enjoyed the fact you have mentioned Led Zeppelin in your comment! It's been such a long time since I listen to them that I almost forgot they existed! :-)
They made the mess on purpose?! Hope they make a decision soon! Paris's plaza is spectacular - I vote for it!
ReplyDeleteI bet it will look great when it's finally finished. (fingers crossed)
ReplyDelete@ Ellie - Place d'Italie is a giant roundabout at least 170 meters in diameter, with a practically unaccessible green island and a large fountain in the middle.
ReplyDelete“Piazza XX Settembre” is an old fashioned square in front of a church, surrounded by houses. It is only 30 meters wide and a bit more of 100 meters long.
I like that the lone stall keeper isn't giving up so easy!
ReplyDeleteWhat would you do with it?
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what happens here. Has to be better than what was there, right?
ReplyDeletePlease, don't make it a parking lot!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story and a nice photo essay. They're all nice, but the first is spectacular. The statue is clearly confused by the demolition going on around his feet!
ReplyDeleteI like the aerial view. I always get lost and this will help to find my direction :)
ReplyDeleteAch, it pains me to see destruction!
ReplyDeleteWow, lots of changes coming up....
ReplyDeleteAnd I guess it will be very nice.
Anyway, I hope the stall keeper will keep his stall as long as possible, and than find an ok new place to sell clothes etc.
The sculpture at the first shot is trying hard to resist all this mess!
ReplyDeleteI hope the final result will be okay for all people there.
Maybe that idea about some square like in Paris could be nice.
Please keep us updating about okay!
Léia
I think bringing it back to what it used to be would be fine, especially if they add even more trees. It would be a lovely promenade.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the decision is, I just hope it won't be a parking lot! Keep us updated!
The Grand Duke looks as if he's hitching up his skirts to leave.
ReplyDeleteI am voting with Hilda for more trees. I hope the city council listens to us :)
Great post, magnificent photographs
ReplyDeletedeep thoughts.
Administer the public good should be a priority: often here in Italy
seems an option,confusion and improvisation,and our beauties
vanish...
Can't wait to see it transformed!
ReplyDeleteI just hope they don't choose the parking lot idea.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice to have a bicycle parking lot and some cafés?
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a news story last year about a Chinese man who refused to move out of his apartment so one house was left standing in a large area being flattened. I'm sure he had to give up eventually but it was an impressive display of stubbornness.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Paris. What I meant is - you can do little Paris in 30 m :) They put an obelisk in the middle of the city - didn't care if it is wide enough as the desert :)
ReplyDelete