Thursday, July 31, 2014

Effetto Venezia 2014

Effetto Venezia 2014, Piazza del Luogo Pio, Livorno
Misfortunes never come alone and after the White Night we have the unsinkable Effetto Venzia for a week: a country fair with a very thin layer of culture badly sprayed on it. We all know that it is mostly about dining out al fresco, which is usually sticky hot. They even got some rain this year, which really breaks my heart...
Effetto Venezia 2014, Scali Rosciano, Livorno
Every show has its public: above in Piazza del Luogo Pio and below on Scali Rosciano.

See also: White Night 2014
Search labels: Effetto Venezia - from behind

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Pilot Boat

Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship, IMO 9210139, port of Livorno
The “Seven Seas Mariner” leaving the Porto Mediceo, while a pilot boat is ready to follow her to recover the pilot outside the port.

See also: Seven Seas Mariner
External links: Seven Seas Mariner - Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Chantiers de l'Atlantique (Wikipedia)
Search labels: cruise ship - pilot

Monday, July 28, 2014

White Night 2014

“The White Night is that time when you are forced to live in a night of the zombies without the killings, but with most of the people around you even clumsier and less awake of the living dead. With scooters.”
In this case I am not ashamed to quote myself, I am absolutely convinced of the idiocy of an institutional encouragement to stay awake partying all night: that is one of the few things we are good at on our own...
The Hotel Supramonte group sings Fabrizio De André, Livorno
In this night of folly we found haven at Tony's, where a group sang a repertoire of songs by the late singer-songwriter Fabrizio De André. They call themselves “Hotel Supramonte”, which is a nickname for the place where De André and his wife were kept when, in 1980, they were kidnapped for ransom by a gang of bandits in Sardinia. It is also the title of a track from his 1981 album, commonly know as “L'Indiano” (The Indian).

External links: Fabrizio De André - L'Indiano (The Indian) - Supramonte (Wikipedia)
See also: White Night - Tony's White Night

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Pegaso 2

Pegaso 2 helicopter, AgustaWestland AW-139, hospital of Livorno
“Pegaso 2” is the code name of one of the three HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) aircaft of the Regione Toscana. This one is based in Grosseto, while the other helicopters are based in Florence and Massa. This shot was taken from one of my windows, almost a kilometer away, while the AgustaWestland AW139 was landing on the helipad of our hospital.

See also: The Helipad
External links: AgustaWestland AW139 (Wikipedia)

Saturday, July 26, 2014

The Looming Tower

Rocks at the entrance of the Porto Mediceo e torre dell'Avvisatore Marittimo, Livorno
This is the place from where I take most of my pictures of the ships entering or leaving the port, this time I just trained the camera in the other direction, towards the tower of the Avvisatore Marittimo.

See also: Easter Eve

Friday, July 25, 2014

Clet in Florence #2

More variations on a no-entry sign by Clet Abraham, still on his home turf in Florence. By the way, this afternoon we will be back in Livorno.
Squeezing the bar on a no-entry sign, Clet Abraham, Florence
Via del Campidoglio, Via de' Brunelleschi

Painting the bar on a no-entry sign, Clet Abraham, Florence
Piazza del Mercato Centrale

See also: Clet Abraham - On the Trail of Clet - Via dell'Olmo - Clet's Studio - Clet in Florence
External links: Thirty smile an hour zone: Cheeky artist changes road signs with stickers... (Daily Mail)
- The language of the street signs by Clet Abraham (Abitare)
Search labels: Clet Abraham

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Gloria

Container ship Gloria, IMO 9230787, cargo ship HHL Lisbon, IMO 9418975, Livorno
The container ship “Gloria” (184 m) e and the cargo “HHL Lisbon” (166 m) at the roadstead in the waters of Antignano. (Photo taken last June)
Container ship Gloria, IMO 9230787, Livorno
The same container ship “Gloria” in the choppy sea in front of the Terrazza Mascagni, the same day that the “Violet Ace” got stuck entering the port.

See also: Terrazza Mascagni - Violet Ace

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Hooded Crow

Hooded crow, Fortezza Nuova, Livorno
A hooded crow on the meadow outside the Fortezza Nuova.
(Picture taken last May)
See also: Fortezza Nuova
Search labels: bird - Fortezza Nuova
External links: Hooded crow

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Durand de la Penne

D 560 Luigi Durand de la Penne destroyer, port of Livorno
During summer, the cadets of the Naval Academy of Livorno usually take part in an annual training cruise on the “Amerigo Vespucci”, but the old sailing ship is undergoing extraordinary maintenance works at the La Spezia Navy Yard. The destroyer “Luigi Durand de la Penne” took the cadets on board last July 14th and is sailing to Barcelona, Lisbon, London, Brest and Casablanca, to be back in Livorno on September 20th.
Nave scuola Amerigo Vespucci A 5312, Vidhar 2012, Livorno
Our best wishes to our beloved “Amerigo Vespucci” for a quick and full recovery.

See also: Amerigo Vespucci
External links: Durand de la Penne-class destroyer (Wikipedia)
Search labels: Amerigo Vespucci

Saturday, July 19, 2014

A New Shopping Center

Porta a Mare shopping center, Livorno
The new “Porta a Mare” shopping center opened last week. Shopkeepers of the nearby Borgo dei Cappuccini neighborhood are quite worried about the competition.

See also: Porta a Mare - Borgo Cappuccini - B Like Borgo

Friday, July 18, 2014

To Paris

EasyJet Airbus A318-321 G-EZDK, over the port of Livorno
Time to fly away: we are leaving today and we will be for a few days in Paris.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Bagni Tirreno

Bagni Tirreno, Tirreno beach resort, viale Italia, Livorno
Late afternoon after a rainy day at the Bagni Tirreno (Tirreno sea resort), viale Italia.

See also: The End of Summer

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Club Med 2

Sailing cruise ship Club Med 2, IMO 9007491, port of Livorno
A real lady of the sea does not leave her berth without the assistance of at least one tug, leaving azimuth thrusters and other weird contraptions to cruise ships in a hurry.
Sailing cruise ship Club Med 2, IMO 9007491, port of Livorno
The “Club Med 2” has computer-operated sails and two electric motors, powered by four diesel generators. She was launched in 1992 at the Ateliers et chantiers du Havre, in Le Havre, France. Her sister ship, the “Club Med 1” was launched in 1989 and now sailing under the name of “Wind Surf
Sailing cruise ship Club Med 2, IMO 9007491, port of Livorno
The “Club Med 2” can carry up to 386 passengers with a crew of 214. She usually sails the waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea in the summertime, and the Caribbean in the winter.

External links: Club Med 2 - Azimuth thruster - Azipod (Wikipedia)
See also: Wind Surf
Search labels: cruise ship - tug

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Via delle Bandiere

Corner buildings, via Ricasoli, Livorno
Two corner buildings in Via Ricasoli, which we have already seen separately. The street on the left is Via Sardi, named after a merchant who left his patrimony to the municipality. On the right we have Via delle Bandiere (Flags Street), which took its name from an old inn.

See also: Corner Buildings

Monday, July 14, 2014

Two Archangels

St. Michael, the Archangel, by Giulio Guiggi, church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, piazza della Vittoria, Livorno
St. Michael, the Archangel, a statue by the sculptor Giulio Guiggi on a holy water font of Santa Maria del Soccorso.
St. Gabriel, the Archangel, by Vitaliano De Angelis, church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, piazza della Vittoria, Livorno
On the other font we can see St. Gabriel, the Archangel, in a sculpture by Vitaliano De Angelis.

See also: Santa Maria del Soccorso - A Cross within a Cross - The Nave - Three Altars

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Milan-Naples with One Euro

Gioacchino Magnani, The Red Box Video, #milanonapoliconuneuro
Gioacchino Magnani, from Viareggio, and Andrea Pagano, from Pisa, are two young videomakers who have begun a peculiar trip through Italy about two weeks ago. The idea is to travel from Milan to Naples with one euro, counting only on the generosity of the people they meet on the road. They are posting videos of their trip on The Red Box Video YouTube channel, with the later intention of making a documentary about their adventure. You can follow them with the hashtag #milanonapoliconuneuro.
We still do not know yet if they will pass through Livorno, but we wish them good luck anyway!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Old Friends

Old friends on a bridge, scali del Pontino, Livorno
Old friends on a bridge, Scali del Pontino. (Picture taken last May)

Search labels: from behind

Friday, July 11, 2014

Violet Ace

Violet Ace vehicles carrier, IMO 9395630, Livorno
On Wednesday afternoon the vehicle carrier “Violet Ace” got stuck entering the port.
Violet Ace vehicles carrier, IMO 9395630, Livorno
Several tugboats flocked to free her, but their task wasn't made easier by the rough sea.
Violet Ace vehicles carrier, IMO 9395630, Livorno
At last, the 185-meter ship was escorted into port: up to five tugs were involved in the rescue.

See also: Alfredo Neri - Piero Neri - Tito Neri
Search labels: tug

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Tiger at Night

Tiger store, via Cairoli, Livorno
Last April a Tiger store, a Danish chain of inexpensive homeware, opened in Via Cairoli.

External links: Tiger (Wikipedia)

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Kojima

Japan Coast Guard Training Ship Kojima, IMO 9034638, port of Livorno
The 115-meter “Kojima” (PL 21) is a training ship of the 海上保安庁 (Japan Coast Guard).
Japan Coast Guard Training Ship Kojima, IMO 9034638, port of Livorno
She was built in 1993 at the Maizuru yard in the Kyoto prefecture by the Hitachi Zosen Corporation.
Japan Coast Guard Training Ship Kojima, IMO 9034638, port of Livorno
The “Kojima” is the fourth vessel, the third bearing this name, used for on-board training of the cadets of the Japan Coast Guard Academy of Kure, in the Hiroshima prefecture.

External links: Japan Coast Guard - Japan Coast Guard Academy (Wikipedia)
- Kojima Again (Tugster: a waterblog) - Japan coast guard ship visiting Da Nang (Tuoi Tre News)

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Mascagni's Organ

Mascagni's organ, church of San Benedetto, Livorno
Inside the church of San Benedetto we can still see the organ used by the young Pietro Mascagni to practice music. A plaque remembering this is set in the wall below the instrument.

Dio sapienza infinita
Creatore delle divine armonie
Rivelò in questa chiesa
Il genio musicale
di
Pietro Mascagni
Che giovinetto a quest'organo
Trasse ispirazione e provò le sue prime melodie
(God infinite wisdom
Creator of the celestial harmonies
Revealed in this church
The musical genius
of
Pietro Mascagni
Who as a young man at this organ
Was inspired and played his first melodies
)

See also: San Benedetto
External links: Pietro Mascagni (Wikipedia)

Monday, July 7, 2014

Palio Marinaro 2014

Equipaggio del quartiere Venezia, porto di Livorno
This year, for various reasons, I missed all the races of our rowing season. The Trofeo D'Alesio didn't take place and I was busy elsewhere during my absolute favorite: the Coppa Risi'atori. I was never a great fan of the Coppa Barontini, not easy to watch at night, and you can really enjoy the Palio Marinaro only if you can see it from a boat. By the way, they also canceled the silly Palio dell'Antenna, so our rowing season ended yesterday with the third victory in three races for the Venezia. (Picture taken last June)

See also: Palio Marinaro - Trofeo D'Alesio - Coppa Risi'atori - Without Trofeo D'Alesio
Search labels: rowing

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Piazza Carlo Alberto

Piazza Carlo Alberto in 1900, now Piazza della Repubblica, Livorno
Piazza Carlo Alberto in 1900 (now Piazza della Repubblica)

Piazza della Repubblica seen from the Fortezza Nuova, Livorno
Piazza della Repubblica, last March

(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: Piazza della Repubblica - Livorno by Boat
Search labels: postcard

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Celebrating Summer

Marina, Antignano, Livorno
Summer is not really my thing: I dislike the hot weather, walking outdoor is rarely a pleasure and people get generally sillier. The next thing to a celebration is this morning view of a quite uncrowded Marina of Antignano, with cargo ships at the roadstead. This would have been my choice for this month's Theme Day.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Works around the Cathedral

Duomo, Cathedral, piazza Grande, Livorno
The area around the Cathedral has been closed for works related to a new Piazza Grande.
Duomo, Cathedral, piazza Grande, Livorno
One of the upsides of this is that you can at least take all the pictures you want without people around.

See also: A New Piazza Grande? - Duomo di Livorno - Around the Duomo - Fontana del Duomo - Inside the Cathedral - Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel - Marco Alessandro del Borro

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Rowing in the Rain

Rowing in the rain, port of Livorno
On Sunday afternoon, during a walk inside the port, we found ourselves under a heavy downpour. Luckily we found shelter, but these rowers kept training even under the heavy rain.

See also: Moby Aki & Mega Express Two
Search labels: rowing

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

City Council

Filippo Nogarin, mayor of Livorno
The first meeting of the new town council took place yesterday, with the oath of the new mayor, Filippo Nogarin. His party, the Five Stars Movement, has an absolute majority of 20 out of 32 seats.
First meeting of the new city council of Livorno
The PD (Democratic Party) has 7 seats, “Buongiorno Livorno” has 3 seats. “Città Diversa”, a civic list, and “Forza Italia”, the only party representing the right, have one seat each.
Stella Sorgente, deputy mayor of Livorno
Stella Sorgente, 32 years, was appointed deputy mayor. Her name in Italian means literally rising star.
Giovanna Cepparello, president of the city council of Livorno
Giovanna Cepparello, 46 years, one of the leaders of “Buongiorno Livorno”, was unanimously elected president of the assembly. She is the first female president of our city council.

See also: Five Stars Livorno? - A New Mayor