Sunday, January 31, 2010

Deletions

What is now the clinic “Villa Tirrena” was once “Villa Albatros”, the old name is still decipherable... trying to connect the dots.When the “Dopolavoro Ferroviario” (railroad workers' club) was founded, it bore the name of the Fascist leader Costanzo Ciano, still visible after the post-war deletion.I have no idea of what was written here, on the facade of “Villa Montano”. Any suggestion welcome.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Reflecting Aki

Moby Aki ferry, IMO 9299393, LivornoA detail of the anchor chain with its reflection in the water.
Moby Aki ferry, IMO 9299393, LivornoThe water reflects patches of light on the hull of the boat.
Moby Aki ferry, IMO 9299393, LivornoThe boat, the “Moby Aki” ferry, colors the surrounding water.

Search labels: Moby - ferry

Friday, January 29, 2010

The Final Pair

Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoThis is our last set of turrets, belonging to a pair of identical villas.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoA turret is still open while the other is closed by windows.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoThe two villas share a large pool on the back of the buildings.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoBoth houses sport ornate corner balconies. This is our last stop along “Viale Italia” and, for a while, we are done with turrets.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Sideways - Twins - Pergola Turrets

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pergola Turrets

Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoWe have already seen some extravagant turrets along this tract of “Viale Italia”, but these are different.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoThe turrets have a pergola supported by multiple columns.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoIn an excellent corner location, the villa has a lot of green around.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoAnother look at the turret decorated by amphora-like vessels.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Sideways - Twins - The Final Pair

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Famedio

Famedio, MonteneroOn the right side of the “sagrato” of the Sanctuary of Montenero there there are the gated porches of the “Famedio”.Famedio, Montenero“Famedio” literally means temple of the fame and is the place where the more notable Livornesi are buried.Famedio, MonteneroHere are the tombs of Francesco Domenico Guerrazzi, Carlo Bini, Enrico Pollastrini, Giovanni Fattori and Paolo Emilio Demi.Famedio, MonteneroTwo plaques remember Amedeo Modigliani and Pietro Mascagni, buried respectively in Paris and in the Misericordia cemetery of Livorno.

See also: Montenero - Sanctuary of Montenero - Villa Azzurra - Funicolare - Sagrato - Piazza del Santuario
External links: Pietro Mascagni - Amedeo Modigliani - Giovanni Fattori - Francesco Domenico Guerrazzi - Enrico Pollastrini (Wikipedia)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mostly Signs

It is a cold afternoon but it's not raining, so my Sunday walk start with this window not far from “Piazza della Vittoria”.On the other side of the square a seventy square meter surface gave the owner of this business an idea for its name.The very old fashioned sign of an optician in “Via Ricasoli”.Corner buildings in “Via Ricasoli”, just before “Piazza Cavour”.Not far, one of the oldest pubs in town, with a very original name.

More Walks

Monday, January 25, 2010

False Alarm

Strange to see the Bomb Squad van parked by the Four Moors...
...and a helicopter of the “Guardia di Finanza” hovering nearby.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sagrato

Statue of Pope John Paul II by Antonio Vinciguerra, parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoIn “Piazza di Montenero” few steps divide the secular part of the square from the “sagrato”, which is the consecrated space in front of a church. On a facade we can see a statue of Pope John Paul II by Antonio Vinciguerra, placed as a memento of the pastoral visit to Livorno and the Sanctuary in 1982.Sign, parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoThe old sign says:
In this centuries-old hall
the faith and the pity of the people
do not allow
disgraceful behaviors
disturbances, games
unnecessary noises

Parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoOnce the now covered well of the Sanctuary was located here.

See also: Montenero - Sanctuary of Montenero - Villa Azzurra - Funicolare - Famedio - Piazza del Santuario
External links: Pope John Paul II (Wikipedia)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Funicolare

Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoFrom “Piazza delle Carrozze” (Carriages Square) the “funicolare” (funicular) carries you almost at the top of the hill of Montenero, where you can visit the Sanctuary of “Santa Maria delle Grazie” or simply enjoy the beautiful view from the panoramic terrace.Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoThe service of the “Funicolare di Montenero” started in 1908, but it has been renewed a few times since then.Funicolare, Montenero, LivornoThe funicular is now powered by a battery of solar panels.

See also: Montenero - Sanctuary of Montenero - Villa Azzurra - Sagrato - Famedio - Piazza del Santuario

Friday, January 22, 2010

Yawning Ferries

Oglasa fwrry, Toremar, LivornoLow season for our ferries, yawning in port like the “Oglasa”.
Moby Aki ferry, Moby Lines, LivornoThe otherwise hyperactive “Moby Aki” is loafing at its pier.Moby Freedom ferry, Moby Lines, LivornoThe only ship with a purpose, even graphically, seems to be the “Moby Freedom”.

Search labels: Moby - ferry

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Twins

Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoBack to the normal facades on “Viale Italia”, where we have this time our first, but not last, case of twin villas.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoThe buildings are painted different colors, like twins who wish to dress differently.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Sideways - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Fire

Fire in an apartment, scali del Pesce, LivornoAfter detecting some smoke from the windows of this apartment, the Fire Brigade was promptly called by some passers-by. We are in the quarter of New Venice, you can see near the front of the fire engine the facade of the Palace of the Marble Columns.Fire in an apartment, scali del Pesce, LivornoThe firemen wear their self contained breathing apparatus.Fire, Scali del Pesce, LivornoThey begin to climb the ladder to go up in the bucket.Fire in an apartment, scali del Pesce, LivornoFrom the window they flush what seems to be the main fire.Fire in an apartment, scali del Pesce, LivornoReady to go inside to check if someone is still in the apartment.Fire in an apartment, scali del Pesce, LivornoIt seems that nobody was there, so the worst part is now over.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Sideways

Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoThe first villa of the new block has as much as two turrets but is strangely facing a side street of “Viale Italia”.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoIts facade, which is the side, on the avenue is not so impressive.Liberty villa, eclectic style, viale Italia, LivornoFrom “Villa Letizia” the pair of turrets is perfectly visible.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Twins - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair

Monday, January 18, 2010

Cisternino di città

Cisternino di città, Livorno
One of the few buildings in “Via Grande” still standing in after the air raids of the last war was the “Cisternino di città” (city small cistern). Its wall facing “Piazza della Repubblica” is still scarred by the shrapnel, as you can see behind the statue of Giovanni Fattori.Cisternino di città, LivornoAn impressive picture of the destruction around the “Cisternino” and “Piazza della Repubblica”, taken in 1943 after one of the raids.
Cisternino di città, Livorno
The neoclassical building was completed in 1848 on a design by the architect Pasquale Poccianti within the project for the “Acquedotto Leopoldino” (Leopoldine Aqueduct), but it was never used as a cistern.
Cisternino di città, Livorno
After the war it was used for years as “Casa della Cultura” (Culture House) and is currently under renovation.

See also: Half-Dome Fad - Chili Pepper & Macchiaioli

Sunday, January 17, 2010

From the Roof

View, viale Italia, Rotonda of Ardenza, LivornoLooking south from the roof terrace of “Villa Letizia”: we see the busy “Viale Italia”, then the pines of the “Rotonda” and the quite rocky coastline of Antignano. The farthest visible point is more than two kilometers away.Water tower, Caserma Paolo Vannucci, Ardenza, LivornoAgainst the eastern hills stands the water tower of the “Caserma Paolo Vannucci”, were part of the Folgore Parachute Brigate is quartered. That would be another good point of view...View, Armando Picchi football stadium, Ardenza, LivornoThe Ardenza Stadium, now “Armando Picchi”, lies just north of the villa. The “Grattacielo” is our modest and only high-rise.View, track, grandstand, Ippodromo Federico Caprilli, Naval Academy, Ardenza, LivornoOn the northwest the track of the “Ippodromo Federico Caprilli” and its grandstand with, in background, the buildings of the Naval Academy. If you look closely, you may even recognize some familiar turrets. On the far right, in the haze, the “Fanale”.Villa Letizia, Ardenza, LivornoA panoramic view showing the extension of the park of the villa.