From Miramare to the Blue Shed

Coming north along the rocky coast we reach Miramare, where the urban part of Livorno begins with the quarter of Antignano. Up on the hill we can see the ruins of Ciano's mausoleum. [Photo by Maurizio]

Further north, a view from the sea of the Grand Hotel Palazzo with the Pancaldi sea resort in foreground and the high rise of Piazza Matteotti in background. [Photo by Maurizio]

The refurbished complex of the “Scoglio della Regina” and the eyesore of the big blue shed. [Photo by Maurizio]

See also: The Castle's Jetty - The Calignaia Bridge - Boccale & Calafuria - Walk... on Water
- Miramare - Ciano's Mausoleum - Hotel Palazzo - Piazza Matteotti - Almost Finished - The Big Blue Shed

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Boccale & Calafuria

One of the most striking points of our coast is the Castello del Boccale (Boccale Castle). [Photo by Maurizio]

The Torre di Calafuria (Tower of Calafuria) and the unusual structure of the road bridge. Just behind it we can see the railway bridge. [Photo by Maurizio]

See also: The Castle's Jetty - The Calignaia Bridge - Walk... on Water
- Castello del Boccale - Torre di Calafuria - Calignaia - Castel Sonnino - Green Lizard's Bay

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The Calignaia Bridge

The Calignaia bridge was built in the early 1950s and has a span of 100 meters. On the north end of the bridge there is a renowned restaurant with a spectacular view on the sea. [Photo by Maurizio]

There is a similarity between this structure and the Bixby Creek Bridge, in California. Faraway, under the arch, we can see the railway bridge. [Photo by Maurizio]

See also: The Castle's Jetty - Walk... on Water
- Castello del Boccale - Torre di Calafuria - Calignaia - Castel Sonnino - Green Lizard's Bay
External links: Bixby Creek Bridge (Wikipedia)

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The Castle's Jetty

This is the first part of a series of posts about our coast seen from the sea. The authors of the photos are our friend Maurizio and his daughter Veronica.

The jetty on the south side of Castel Sonnino (Sonnino Castle) is quite popular in summer. [Photo by Veronica]

With its 91 meter above sea level the promontory of Castel Sonnino is the highest point of our coast.

[Photo by Maurizio]

See also: Castello del Boccale - Torre di Calafuria - Calignaia - Castel Sonnino - Green Lizard's Bay - Walk... on Water

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Mediterranean

“The Mediterranean is neutral in the Slavonic languages, and in Latin. It’s masculine in Italian. Feminine in French. Sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine in Spanish. It has two masculine names in Arabic. And Greek has many names for it, in different genders.”
“Why is that?” Lalla asked.
“I don’t know. It may have something to do with everyone's own bias. But I think the Mediterranean is like a body inside us. And that what our right hand does, our left hand can’t ignore.”

(Jean-Claude Izzo, The Lost Sailors)

External links: Jean-Claude Izzo (Wikipedia)

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The Tamarisk Tree

In one of our first posts we showed you a lovely place on the rocky coast of Antignano called “Scoglio della Tamerice” (Tamarisk Rock). The lone tamarisk is still there, defying the winds and the sea.

See also: Tamarisk Rock

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Viale Amerigo Vespucci

Coast and villas by the sea at Antignano, December 2012

Almost the same view from a 1932 postcard

(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

Search labels: postcard
See also: Miramare - Rocky Coast at Antignano - Dancer's Rock

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Dancer's Rock

The “Scoglio della Ballerina” (Dancer's Rock), Antignano, December 2012

The same rock, Antignano, early years of 1900

(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

Search labels: postcard
See also: Miramare - Rocky Coast at Antignano

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Rocky Coast at Antignano

The coast south of the Antignano Marina, December 2012

Almost the same view from a 1901 postcard

A slightly different view in a 1928 postcard

(Postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

Search labels: postcard

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Miramare

On the southern limit of Antignano, “Miramare” (literally sea-view) is a small promontory with a wonderful view on the sea. On the left, at the horizon, the silhouette of the Gorgona island is barely visible; on the right we can see a cargo ship on the roadstead and below, on the rocky islet, a lone cormorant.

Happy New Year to everyone!

See also: Mediterranean

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Castle on the Coast

A view from the sea of the “Castello del Boccale” in 1907.

Another angle on the same castle in 1939.

(Postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also:

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Castello del Boccale	Torre di Calafuria	Calignaia	Castel Sonnino

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Calignaia

Just before arriving to the Sonnino Castle we pass a road bridge on the spectacular cove of Calignaia, which we have seen in the last photo of yesterday post.Further inland, up the valley amidst the “Colline Livornesi” (Livornesi Hills), we can see the destroyed bridge on the old road route, on the side of the railway bridge.Another glimpse of the pebbled beach of Calignaia, one of the nicest places along the Livornese coastline. Even here a renowned hotel-restaurant with a spectacular view is perched near the northern side of the bridge.
As suggested by Andreea of Bucharest Daily Photo, have a look at the Bixby Creek Arch Bridge.

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Castello del Boccale	Torre di Calafuria	Castel Sonnino	Green Lizard's Bay

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Castel Sonnino

This castle rises on a headland which is the highest point of the Livornese coastline, with 91 meters above sea level. On the north side of the cape lies the beautiful “Cala del Leone” (Lion's Cove). The small port of the castle is hidden on the southern side.The Sonnino Castle was built at the end of the 19th century around another Medicean watchtower, called “Torre San Salvatore” (Saint Saviour Tower). It is named after its first owner, the Baron Sidney Sonnino, Minister of the Kingdom of Italy a the time. He loved so much the seclusion of this place that he asked to be buried in a grotto beneath the castle.The stretch of raw coastline on the left is called “Sassoscritto” (Written Stone) because the rock is literally carved by the erosion.

See also:

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Castello del Boccale	Torre di Calafuria	Calignaia	Green Lizard's Bay

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Torre di Calafuria

The “Torre di Calafuria” (Fury Cove Tower) is another former watchtower along the “Romito” trait of the Aurelia road, between Antignano and the hamlet of Quercianella.
The structure was part of a defensive system built in 16th century, stretching from Livorno to the southern edge of the province.It was restored in the early 20th century at the same time of the construction of the railway bridge on the cove, whose massive central pillar is visible behind the modern road bridge. The tower was used at the time to counter smuggling along the coast.During summer it is practically impossible to find a free spot on these rocks, even if these waters could be treacherous for the unexperienced swimmers. A renowned restaurant, obviously called “Calafuria”, lies at the foot of the tower.

See also:

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Castello del Boccale	Calignaia	Castel Sonnino	Green Lizard's Bay

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Castello del Boccale

The stretch of coastal road from Livorno to Quercianella follows the ancient Roman route of the “Via Aurelia” and is known as “Il Romito”. The “Castello del Boccale” (Boccale Castle) lies off the road, few miles south of Antignano, in a place called “Cala dei Pirati” (Pirates Cove) or “Boccale”.Built as an old Medicean watchtower, it was transformed in a Neo-Medieval residence at the end of the 19th Century.After a long period of neglect, the building was recently restored and divided into apartments. A small tower built in the park is used for storage. I'd like to thank my friend Paolo who drove us along the coast.

See also:

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Torre di Calafuria	Calignaia	Castel Sonnino	Green Lizard's Bay

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