Friday, March 19, 2010

404th Birthday

Livorno, coat of armsOn March 19th 1606 the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici raised Livorno to the rank of city. The coat of arms was a fortress with two towers on a blue sea and a flag with the word “Fides”.
This is the doorway of what once was the “Liceo Classico Niccolini Guerrazzi”, founded in 1861. I am not sure if the carving is of that period, but the crest is gorgeous even without the waving flag.Livorno, coat of armsThe gate of the same school, this time the coat of arms is complete and probably more recent.Livorno, coat of armsA detail of the decorations outside the “San Marco” Gate. The coat of arms, a bit dirty, is perfectly reproduced in stone.Livorno, coat of armsThe standard of the City of Livorno, with the most up-to-date coat of arms, showing the mural crown where once was a royal crown.
Happy Birthday, Livorno!

18 comments:

Kaori said...

That crest is beautiful! You have so much history in your city. Love hearing and seeing it all :)

Lowell said...

I remember the coat of arms from your previous posts. My favorite is the one is stone. All in all, though, it is an expressive and impressive coat of arms.

404 years! Wow. Happy birthday from Ocala!

tapirgal said...

Very interesting. It really is a nice symbol. It's fascinating to see how the wall replaces the crown as times change. Also, I wonder how the stone gets so dirty in some places and clean in other places? So it isn't air pollution, but maybe water and algae?

James said...

Each one is wonderful. The details are so nice and I like the colors in the bottom photo.

dianasfaria.com said...

Happy Birthday Livorno!
A beautiful coat of arms in every representation.

Dina said...

Mazal tov and happy birthday to Citta di Livorno and its proud citizens.
It's good to learn about mural crowns. I see what you mean about the new standard looking like the sea is flooding the gate. They should have put YOU on the committee.

B SQUARED said...

What better reason to celebrate!

Wolynski said...

I think the Medicis and poison, court intrigue and Machiavelli come to mind. Great coat of arms.

joo said...

You always manage to find such interesting and beautitul details!The crest is gorgeous indeed:)

brattcat said...

Happy anniversary wishes from Vermont.

Gunn said...

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to all of you in LIVORNO.
Look after the city, it is beautiful and have some many buildings and arts etc. you can be very proud of!

Hilda said...

How wonderful! Happy birthday, Livorno!

I adore that doorway!

Anonymous said...

It's hard to imagine things this old. The woodwork is so impressive. Happy Birthday!

Halcyon said...

Happy birthday Livorno!!! May you have hundreds more to come.

Small City Scenes said...

Happy Birthday, Livorno!! I am ready to celebrate.
A great coat of arms---while the first one is OK the flag makes it much better. Thanks for the information. MB

Unknown said...

Livorno has been a city for more than four centuries? That's a long, long time! You show us so many old things that are still in such good condition. Old things here are often only one century old...and LOOK old because they are in poor condition.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Livorno! The coat of arms shots are a clever tribute.

Cezar and Léia said...

Superb carvings and interesting to know a little bit of the city's history!
God bless you!
Cezar