Greetings from Livorno #4

“From the Queen of the Tyrrhenian protected by Mary, from the hill of Montenero, greetings and wishes”	“The Blessed Virgin will guide, protect and bless you.”

(Postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: Greetings from Livorno - Greetings from Livorno #2 - Greetings from Livorno #3 - The Lighthouse - Sanctuary of Montenero
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The Boulevard

This tree-lined boulevard is one of the most suggestive views of the park of Villa Fabbricotti. On the right, the small building of the “Biblioteca dei Ragazzi” (Children's Library).

See also: Villa Fabbricotti - Biblioteca dei Ragazzi

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Libur

The tourist boat “Libur” is quickly crossing the path of the 168-meter ferry “Mega Smeralda”, maneuvering in reverse towards her berth.

See also: Mega Smeralda - Mega Smeralda & Gaz Victory
External links: Livornobyboat.com

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The Balcony

This balcony in Via degli Archi desn't look so strong, even if probably it is...

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Asuka II

This 241-meter cruise ship was built in 1990 as “Crystal Harmony” by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan. During her maiden voyage, the ship experienced a fire and drifted afloat for three days.
In 2006 the ship passed from Crystal Cruises to the Nippon Yusen Kaisha and underwent some renovations. She re-entered service as “Asuka II”.

External links: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - MS Asuka II - Crystal Cruises - Nippon Yusen (Wikipedia)
Search labels: cruise ship

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A New Sculpture

A new sculpture lies protected, but yet to be officially unveiled, in the plaza at the Scoglio della Regina.

See also: A “Horror” Revisited - A Horror in Plain View - PIUSS

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The Other Half

Part of the square was refurbished five years ago, now is the other half of Piazza del Municipio which is changing face. This area, mostly a parking lot between Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) and Palazzo Granducale, will become a “pedestrian zone” with some green, palm trees, and a lot of speeding bicycles.

We are usually wary of new works: in fact they already stopped for a month because the planning was wrong...

See also: Work in Progress - Town Hall - Palazzo Granducale - Piazza del Municipio - Municipal Building - Town Hall Facade

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Castiglione della Pescaia

We are still in Tuscany, in the province of Grosseto, slightly more than 100 km south of Livorno. Castiglione della Pescaia is a small but very old sea town and its only link with our city is that in the 19th century it was called for a while la piccola Livorno (the Little Livorno).

Now it is very well known for the beauty of its beaches: from just below the old town castle up to Punta Ala, a few km up north and still part of Castiglione's municipality. On a more personal level, it seems that my family comes from here...
One of the two “lighthouses” at the entrance of the marina. Not far, the monument to the fallen seamen.

External links: Castiglione della Pescaia - Punta Ala (Wikipedia)

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The Family

A family of road signs: the little one in the baby carrier is so cute!

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Sick Day

Last Tuesday was my first sick day in years, but they quickly sent the Coast Guard to check on me...

See also: From My Terrace - Chased by a Copter
External links: Bell 412 (Wikipedia)

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Inside “Coin”

Taking pictures inside a department store it is usually not allowed, but this time I could not resist...
We are inside the “Coin” store in Piazza Attias. (Pictures taken last March)

See also: Coin - Piazza Attias

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Zim Monaco

The 260-meter “Zim Monaco” assisted by the tug “C.te Contini”, just before entering the port of Livorno.

(Picture taken last April)

External links: Port of Livorno (Pinterest)

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Sparrow at a Window

A sparrow at the window of an abandoned building, inside the port.

(Picture taken last April)

Search labels: bird

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Simple Decorations

Some of the simple decorations on the facade of the Mailmen's building in Via San Giovanni.
The rest of the reliefs are only placed between the windows of the last floor. A few years ago, on a corner of the same building, we have already seen also a peculiar statue of John the Baptist.

See also: Mailmen's building - John the Baptist

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108 Years After

The south end of the “Molo Novo”, also known as “Diga Curvilinea” (Curvilinear Breakwater).

Almost the same angle in this 1907 postcard, when a few ships still moored there.

(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: Molo Novo - The North Lighthouse - Over the Porto Mediceo
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Town Hall Facade

The facade of the Town Hall buiding, seen from Piazza del Municipio.

See also: Mural Crown - Town Hall - Piazza del Municipio - Coat of Arms - Municipal Building

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Oranges and Lemons

Oranges in a private garden in Via degli Archi.

Not too far away, lemons in Borgo San Jacopo.

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Volkswagen Beetle

Usually cars are considered antique after 25 years: I guess this Volkswagen Beetle is definitely ‘antique’.

External links: Antique car (Wikipedia)
Search labels: vintage car

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Surcouf (F711)

The 125-meter “Surcouf” (F711) is a La Fayette-class frigate of the French Navy, launched at the at Lorient Naval Dockyard in 1993. Her 100 mm naval gun is clearly visible in this photo.

The ships of this class are considered “stealth” (furtive in French) frigates because they have a reduced radar cross section obtained with a clean superstructure, angled sides and radar absorbent material. A battery of eight Crotale missiles and at least one Exocet launcher are visible at midship.

Usually, trying to take the picture of a flag is a good way to make the wind drop. I am glad it didn't work this time.

External links: French frigate Surcouf (F711) - La Fayette-class frigate - French 100 mm naval gun - Crotale - Exocet (Wikipedia)

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Via Ricasoli Forever

Someone wants to change the name of “Via Ricasoli”, for many reasons one of my favorite streets in town.

“Piazza Magenta” became “Piazza della Vittoria” (Victory Square) in 1924, “Piazza Roma” was renamed “Piazza Matteotti” in 1945: after decades, only out-of-towners call them with the “new” names. “Via Ricasoli” will be “Via Ricasoli” forever. Florence, Lucca, Siena, and Arezzo have one, only Pisa does not, and this should be decisive.

English version

Daily Rowing

Our rowing season is near and the crews of the various quarters are training almost every day: here is “Venezia”.
“San Marco Pontino”, with the “Moby Wonder” in background, and “Borgo Cappuccini” in the open sea.

Search labels: rowing
See also: Moby Wonder

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Greetings from Livorno #3

Two more “Saluti da Livorno” (Greetings from Livorno) postcards, published by the same Künzli Frères in Zurich around 1900.

The Darsena Vecchia, the Cisternone, and the area of the Porto Mediceo where is now the Coast Guard building.

In another postcard we have a view of Piazza della Repubblica (then Piazza Carlo Alberto), the Mercato Centrale, and the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

(Postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: Greetings from Livorno - Greetings from Livorno #2 - La Darsena Vecchia - Cisternone - Coast Guard - Piazza della Repubblica - Mercato Centrale - Viva Verdi
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The Mysterious Device

A few days ago a mysterious device appeared on top of the Mastio di Matilde... (It is the back of a faraway crane, casually juxtaposed behind the tower)

See also: Mastio di Matilde - Fortezza Vecchia
Search labels: Fortezza Vecchia

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Chased by a Copter

It was Sunday, at noon, and I was quietly walking on the swing bridge when I saw this huge Navy helicopter.
As soon as they saw me, they quickly turned the chopper in my direction.

I kept shooting until they were almost over me...

See also: Swing Bridge - From My Terrace
External links: AgustaWestland AW101 (Wikipedia)

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Cat of May

At the window and behind bars in Via degli Archi.

(Picture taken last April)

Search labels: cat

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Maryah

With her 122 meters (400 ft) of lenght the yacht “Maryah” is amazing, but we have already seen bigger boats of this kind: the 147-meter (482 ft) “Prince Abdulaziz” and the 126-meter (414 ft) “Octopus”.

This boat was originally built in 1991 at Szczecin, in Poland, as a Russian research vessel. She was launched as “Dalmorgeologiya”, then changed her name to “Fortune”. After several years, the boat underwent a dramatic rebirth during a long stay at a shipyard in Greece. You may have a look at the original vessel here.

See also: Prince Abdulaziz - Octopus
External links: Czar - IMO 9044619 (Shipspotting)
Search labels: yacht

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Give Peace a Chance

“Diamo una possibilità alla Pace” (Give Peace a Chance) was a three days of concerts and performances that took place inside the Fortezza Vecchia, during the long weekend of the 1st of May. Sadly the new bridge, finished since last November and which would have given an easier access to the old fortress, was not yet open to the public.

See also: Fortezza Vecchia - The New Bridge
Search labels: Fortezza Vecchia

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The Missing Bell Tower

Unless the sender helped us with a readable year, dating and old postcard is often a puzzle. The present facade of the church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva was finished in 1891, but the bell tower was added only in 1897. Therefore the actual photo was probably taken between these years.

A further hint comes from the postage stamp, which is part of a series called “Floreale” (Floral), issued in 1901. So, all things considered, we can quite confidently place this vintage postcard in the first years of 1900, but the picture used was certainly taken before 1897.

(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: San Jacopo in Acquaviva
External links: Floreale (iBolli, in Italian)
Search labels: postcard

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