The Leopoldine walls were built to enforce tariffs, not for defence. Smugglers tried to hoist merchandise over the wall but these teeth effectively blocked the ropes.
The wall still borders most of “Via della Cinta Esterna” (Road of the Exterior Boundary)...
...until it meets the older tract of Medicean walls, where was once located the Public Slaughterhouse.
VP, thank you for these beautiful photos and the info on them. They are really wonderful. Beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I suppose the entire city was walled at one time. Do you know how old these walls are?
ReplyDeleteThe walls have various shades. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roberto
http://clicksderoberto.blogspot.com
An old wall to an even older wall. What a history!
ReplyDelete@ Jacob - The Leopoldine walls were built around the 1830s, while most of the Medicean walls are almost two centuries older.
ReplyDeleteHistorical wall!Very impressive!
ReplyDeletehugs
Léia
Fascinating...the part about the rope. Thanks, VP.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, AND a lot of work must have been put in to building the walls.....
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. I wouldn't have known what the teeth were for.
ReplyDeleteNow we all just pay the VAT and have it done with!
Very interesting---just to imagine these wall are still standing. MB
ReplyDeleteObviously, before the internet.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Those teeth do look a little scary.
ReplyDeleteI love the pattern that the "teeth" made along the top. Nice shot!
ReplyDeleteV
Tax collecting, old style...
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! Haven't seen or heard this before.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see the two old walls meet. The teeth is something I've never seen before... although here people put glass chips on the top of walls to discourage climbers.
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple yet effective idea, those wall teeth.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the smugglers were not into tunneling.