Saturday, November 28, 2009

Anno 1858

Mascaron with lion biting a scroll, via Roma, Livorno“Anno” is the Italian for year, so any doubt about the age of this “palazzo” is cleared by this hungry lion, guarding its entrance.Building at the corner of via Marradi with via Roma, LivornoThis remarkable building faces “Piazza Attias” with its short front, with one facade on “Via Marradi”, on the left, and another on “Via Roma”. Amedeo Modigliani's birthplace, now a museum, is just opposite the lion, in “Via Roma”. At the end of the same street you can see our only skyscraper, which is perhaps a mere high-rise.Vintage postcard, building at the corner of via Marradi with via Roma, LivornoThe hungry lion is not alone, because both facades are decorated with many strange figures, but we'll see this another time.

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20 comments:

  1. GunnNovember 28, 2009 at 12:50 AM

    I like the photograph with the lion!
    it looks like you have MANY artistic and nice details in your city.
    Have a nice weekend!:-)

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  2. cieldequimperNovember 28, 2009 at 1:41 AM

    Another Flatiron! ;-)) It's a beautiful building. And I keep forgetting that A. Modigliano was born in Livorno though you have already told us. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  3. LowellNovember 28, 2009 at 2:06 AM

    The first building I saw like this was in Rome in 1957 when I was in the Navy! I loved it then and I love this one now.

    Sure hasn't changed much over the years.

    Not sure why the lion is so fierce, though!

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  4. PJNovember 28, 2009 at 2:41 AM

    Nice photo essay, VP. When I was a wee girl I lived in southern France and people referred to Livorno as Leghorn. I like Livorno better.

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  5. VPNovember 28, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    @ Paula - We were known as Leghorn in English, Livourne in French and Liorna in Spanish.

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  6. Rob SiemannNovember 28, 2009 at 1:05 PM

    Love the lion! Right now, I'm about as hungry as him. Time for lunch.

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  7. brattcatNovember 28, 2009 at 1:32 PM

    Terrific detail shot of that lion consuming the document of date. Have an excellent weekend, VP.

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  8. stromsjoNovember 28, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    We've got a few of those short front buildings as well. Would be interesting to have a peek inside one day.

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  9. Unseen India ToursNovember 28, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    Fantastic Series of Lovely shots !! Loved the beauty !! Great work !!Unseen Rajasthan

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  10. Mary Stebbins TaittNovember 28, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    Oooh, I love these comparisons! How fun.

    The new one has shutters lacking in the old. And the color is pretty in a subtle way.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    The condition of the building is amazing. I really like your old and new photos posted together like this.
    Well done!

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  12. UnknownNovember 28, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    Yes, every building should have a lion with the 'anno' of construction. :-) Great detail!

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  13. AndreeaNovember 29, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    Beautiful photos. I like the hungry lion detail and I'm again amazed by how well preserved the buildings in Livorno are. Looking forward to seeing the strange figures.

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  14. HildaNovember 29, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    Another beautiful building that has remained wonderfully unchanged. Why do I think the lion just ate an angel??

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  15. TinsieNovember 29, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    Can't wait to see the rest of the facades & their figures :-)

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  16. CopenhagenNovember 29, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    I like the original door better...Or hasn't it changed at all?

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  17. tapirgalNovember 30, 2009 at 6:54 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. tapirgalNovember 30, 2009 at 6:55 AM

    I love the lion, can't wait to see the other strange figures, and had forgotten (or never realized) that Modigliani was born there. Is it a nice museum? Do they have some good pieces?

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  19. VPNovember 30, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    @ tapirgal - Sorry to say that I have never been there. It is owned by two twin brothers who seem to be in complete disagreement about its gestion...

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  20. AnonymousDecember 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    I like the old street light better. Very well preserved buildings! Hope whatever they are building on the background matches the view! Fantastic job, exploring the past and present.

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