Around 1830 the new Leopoldine Walls surrounded Livorno and a gate on the water was built where the “Canale dei Navicelli” reached the perimeter. It was a building called “Dogana d'acqua” (Water Customs) and, even heavily damaged during the last war, it still stands. The main purpose of these walls and gates was not defense, but to collect a tax called “dazio” (octroi) on the merchandise brought in town.
Inside the ruins of the “Dogana d'acqua”
The interior of the “Dogana d'acqua” in an old print
The “Dogana d'acqua” seen from inside the walls
The building of the “Dogana d'acqua” in an old print
Now those are some beautiful shots of a beautiful place. I would love to walk about here taking photos!
ReplyDeleteThe colors are so nice, too...muted, almost pastels.
Great job.
Oh, I forgot.
ReplyDeleteI got so excited I almost executed a jete! ;-)
These are excellent shots, VP. You make us all want to come and walk with you.
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures. This is such a beautiful place.
ReplyDeletenice photos and i like the 18th century print. I really liked your elbow grease photos. they are wonderful
ReplyDeleteYes, we should all take a trip to Italy.:-)
ReplyDeletePerhaps that is impossible, for most of us.
Anyway, nice photos, and also nice to read about the history of your city.
nice photos and i like the 18th century print. I really liked your elbow grease photos. they are wonderful
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Ah, l'octroi. The nice thing about those old taxes is that they left us with beautiful buildings and sites.
ReplyDeleteSo there was an actual customs house built over/next to the bridge? What's happened to it?
ReplyDeleteNice photos, special mention for the 18th century print. I'd sure want to visit this place some day...
ReplyDelete- Pixellicious Photos
Interesting history and always great to see what a building looked like way back
ReplyDeleteI love the curves in the bridges but ... where have all the people gone ... long time passing ...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,Lovely and fantastic shots !! Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
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ReplyDeleteYou have found the right place to capture the best angle of the bridge and the spot in general as shown on the first shot. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh my friend, beautiful pictures! Confess, do you have a boat there, don't you?
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Wonderful post!The printed picture is awesome!I like this kind of art!
Léia
Taxes? It all comes back to taxes.
ReplyDelete@ ciel - Right, this and some other in town.
ReplyDelete@ Tinsie - It was demolished with part of the wall to make room for a modern road, around 1900. The rest was bombed out in WWII.
@ Léia - I am one of the rare Livornesi who doesn't own either a boat or a scooter.
It's too bad about the destruction. It was a wonderful building. What's left along with the canals is still very picturesque with the enchanting arches.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Very interesting. I love the comparison! Great details of old architecture and new. Sad that it's gone, some!! :-(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots. I want to get on one of those snazzy boats and go for a photo cruise!
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Like BS noted: taxes are the name of the game. Then as well as now.
ReplyDeletethe 1st arches are such a pretty and unusual shape. Another terrific historical journey for us!
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