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
24 comments:
Would be nice if I could attend the re-enactment.
Real battle on the streets? Must be an interesting event. Great history lesson - thanks:)
Oh wow that's cool, a good way to teach kids, too. I love the first shot!
What a way to start a Monday morning, being occupied! I imagine this is quite an attraction for tourists as well.
And who are these people willing enough to be the Austrians? They're well experienced, too, I know it from their white beard.
In the last photo, how many victims?
Looks like a real battle. Thanks for the history lesson.
This reminds me very much of our revolutionary war reenactments. They make for really colorful and action packed photos. Thanks for the history lesson.
Terrific sequence. You can almost hear the chaos of battle looking at these. That fellow with the yellow feather in the first photo really looks anguished.
Oh wow, I'd love to be able to watch something like this in person! Looks exciting, but such a sad ending for Livorno.
'Outrageously well dressed' got me giggling. But I like your Livornesi's outfits better :D
Bet there was a great party after the reenactment.
@ henny - Several of these groups came from abroad, maybe they are really Austrian: they shouted orders in German for sure!
In the real battle hundreds of Livornesi died or were executed as rebels.
@ BSquared - Strangely enough the party was before, but this is for tomorrow...
Oh yes - keep those Osterreichers out!!! :)
Fascinating history lesson. Rather broad minded that the reenactment is of a battle lost. In the USA some people like to do Civil War battle reenactments. When I worked for the Congressman in whose district the Antietam Battlefield is located (the bloodiest single day of battle in the Civil War), there was a problem with one of the reenactments. One of the the participants forgot to remove the steel ramrod from his muzzle loading musket. Fortunately, the steel ramrod went whizzing right over the crowd of spectators. People need to be careful, even in pretend battles.
What a bunch of great shots! Superb job, Vogon Poet!
It almost looks real!
Brilliant shots of this event. And a sad story for sure.
We had a similar event in Copenhagen two years ago to commemorate the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 by the British. Lots of fun (the reenactment that is) and a great opportunity to take some photos.
Exceptional set of images!!!
This historical is fascinating like your photos...
:-)
Bravo!
What fun! I wish my sons could have seen that!
Very interesting post!
Many thanks for sharing
Léia
Great idea to organize such re-enacting:) Excellent photos - I feel like on the battle field!
Very interesting photos and great capture of the re-enactment
Wow! looks pretty real. Thanks for sharing the action.
Well, i am jealeous.:). More pics, more story.
Grazie.
I Love These Kind Of Pictures !!!Very Well Shot
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