The Austrians Are Coming

Today is the 160th anniversary of the unsuccessful popular defence of Livorno during the Austrian invasion of Tuscany in 1849. Last Saturday a picturesque historical re-enacting of the fighting took place in our streets.
Some brave Livornesi literally fly (see the one on the left) to fight the invaders breaking into the city walls through a breach near “Porta San Marco” (Saint Mark Gate).
The Livornesi are outnumbred: the Austrians are many, strong, disciplined and otrageously well dressed.
Everything comes to an end with a last enchange of gunfire in “Piazza della Repubblica”, then the occupation begins.

See also: Shall We Dance? - Balliamo - Fanfara dei Carabinieri

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Santa Caterina

The church of “Santa Caterina” is the heart of the “Venezia Nuova” (New Venice) quarter, developed around 1629 destroying a significant part of the “Fortezza Nuova”. “Santa Caterina” was built in 1720 by the architect Giovanni Del Fantasia, but in 1746 the dome had to be enclosed in the tambour for reasons of stability. The exterior of the church is now devoid of the ornamental stone covering, giving to the building a not very appealing look. This is where “Via della Madonna” ends, the dome of “Santa Caterina” is clearly visible from the other end of the street.
The white building (on the left of the church in the first image) is the old “Domenicani” prison, so called because it was built as a monastery for the Dominican Order in 1716. After the inmates were transferred to a new facility in the 80's, the building was completely renovated and is still awaiting a new destination.

See also: Inside Santa Caterina

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I Dynasty

The 59-meter (194 feet) “I Dynasty” entering the port after some trials at sea. It was built in the Benetti shipyard of Livorno with an aluminium superstructure on a steel hull. The yacht was launched in May 2008, carries the Cayman Islands flag and has as port of registry George Town.I am not so fond of these yachts as toys for billionaires, but because they are the last boats built in our historical shipyards: beautiful and technologically advanced, these are our Ferraris.

See also: Superyachts - I Dynasty, in Norway - Giorgio Armani's Yacht - Imagination & Illusion - Prince Abdulaziz - Bistango & Reborn - Octopus - Bistango
External links: Benetti Yachts

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Collision Course

During a competition this rowboat literally encountered a problem. With a little help from bystanders they were able to continue, reaching the second place. Boats and crews, one for each “rione” (quarter) of Livorno, are engaged is a series of minor rowing competitions leading to the top of the season: the “Palio Marinaro” taking place every year in July in the waters in front of the Terrazza Mascagni. These female rowers are from my “rione”, Benci Centro, which is nicknamed “Ovo sodo” (Hard boiled egg) for its colours: yellow and white. With its ten oars boat (the real thing) “Ovo sodo” won the “Palio” eight times, dominating the last three years.

Doll Lighthouse

Tired of dollhouses? Try a lighthouse. This is from “L'Arte di Creare” (The Art of Creating), a local shop, and was on display at the “village” of the TAN.

Love Padlocks

Local sweethearts chain their love padlocks around a lamp post on the “lungomare”, a tradition revived a few years ago by the movie “Ho voglia di te” (I Want You).
In the movie, which is set in Rome, the two lovers use a lamp post on the Ponte Milvio (Wikipedia image).
In time they got so many imitators that at least a couple of lamp posts crumbled under the weight of chains and padlocks.

See also: “In Rome, a New Ritual on an Old Bridge” (The New York Times) - Rust Never Sleeps

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Ciao!

Yesterdays post was probably a bit too martial, with all these flying flags and daring paratroopers. So let's finish the official chapter of the TAN in a gentler tone.
The helicopter, just after the launch of the parachutists, flew very low with the crew waving hands as saying: “Ciao!”.
The band of the Navy was playing in the nearby Gazebo a selection of not very martial tunes, while sails of any size and description crowded the waters in front of the Terrazza Mascagni.