Sunday, May 31, 2015

Greetings from Livorno #4

Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
“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
Search labels: postcard

Saturday, May 30, 2015

The Boulevard

Park of Villa Fabbricotti, Children's Library, Livorno
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

Friday, May 29, 2015

Libur

Ferry Mega Smeralda, IMO 8306486, port of Livorno
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

Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Balcony

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

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Asuka II

Cruise ship Asuka II, IMO 8806204, port of Livorno
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.
Cruise ship Asuka II, IMO 8806204, port of Livorno
Cruise ship Asuka II, IMO 8806204, port of Livorno
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

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Monday, May 25, 2015

The Other Half

Piazza del Municipio, Livorno
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.
Piazza del Municipio, Livorno
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

Sunday, May 24, 2015

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).
Castiglione della Pescaia
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...
Lighthouse at the entrance of the marina, Castiglione della Pescaia
Monument to the fallen seamen, by Lorenzo dal Torrione, Castiglione della Pescaia
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)

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The Family

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

Friday, May 22, 2015

Sick Day

Bell 412 helicopter of the Coast Guard, Livorno
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)

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Inside “Coin”

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

See also: Coin - Piazza Attias

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Zim Monaco

Container ship Zim Monaco, IMO 9389708, Livorno
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)

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Sparrow at a Window

Sparrow at a window, abandoned building, port of Livorno
A sparrow at the window of an abandoned building, inside the port.
(Picture taken last April)
Search labels: bird

Monday, May 18, 2015

Simple Decorations

Mailmen's building, via San Giovanni, Livorno
Some of the simple decorations on the facade of the Mailmen's building in Via San Giovanni.
Mailmen's building, via San Giovanni, Livorno
Mailmen's building, via San Giovanni, Livorno
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

Sunday, May 17, 2015

108 Years After

Molo Novo, Livorno
The south end of the “Molo Novo”, also known as “Diga Curvilinea” (Curvilinear Breakwater).
Vintage postcard, Molo Novo, Livorno
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
Search labels: postcard

Friday, May 15, 2015

Oranges and Lemons

Oranges, Via degli Archi, Livorno
Oranges in a private garden in Via degli Archi.
Lemons, Borgo San Jacopo, Livorno
Not too far away, lemons in Borgo San Jacopo.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle, port of Livorno
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

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Surcouf (F711)

French frigate Surcouf F711, port of Livorno
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.
French frigate Surcouf F711, port of Livorno
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.
French frigate Surcouf F711, port of Livorno
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)

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Via Ricasoli Forever

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

Monday, May 11, 2015

Daily Rowing

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

Search labels: rowing
See also: Moby Wonder

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Greetings from Livorno #3

Two more “Saluti da Livorno” (Greetings from Livorno) postcards, published by the same Künzli Frères in Zurich around 1900.
Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
The Darsena Vecchia, the Cisternone, and the area of the Porto Mediceo where is now the Coast Guard building.
Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
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
Search labels: postcard

Saturday, May 9, 2015

The Mysterious Device

Mastio di Matilde, Matilda's Keep, Livorno
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

Friday, May 8, 2015

Chased by a Copter

AgustaWestland AW101, port of Livorno
It was Sunday, at noon, and I was quietly walking on the swing bridge when I saw this huge Navy helicopter.
AgustaWestland AW101, port of Livorno
AgustaWestland AW101, port of Livorno
As soon as they saw me, they quickly turned the chopper in my direction.
AgustaWestland AW101, port of Livorno
I kept shooting until they were almost over me...

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

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Cat of May

Cat, Via degli Archi, Livorno
At the window and behind bars in Via degli Archi.
(Picture taken last April)
Search labels: cat

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Maryah

Luxury yacht Maryah, IMO 9044619, port of Livorno
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”.
Luxury yacht Maryah, IMO 9044619, port of Livorno
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

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Give Peace a Chance

Diamo una possibilità alla Pace, Give Peace a Chance, Fortezza Vecchia, Livorno
“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

Monday, May 4, 2015

The Missing Bell Tower

Church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva, Livorno
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.
Old postcard, church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva, Livorno
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