Tuesday, June 30, 2015

MSC Vigo

Container ship MSC Vigo, IMO 9480227, Livorno
The tugs “Piero Neri”, “Alfredo Neri”, and “Porto di Livorno” assist the 270-meter container ship “MSC Vigo” in leaving the port. (Photos taken last March)
Tug Porto di Livorno, IMO 9393113, Livorno
Tug Piero Neri, IMO 9351713, Livorno
Here the “Porto di Livorno” is pulling from behind, while the “Piero Neri” is backtracking along the side of the ship.
Container ship MSC Vigo, IMO 9480227, Livorno
A tiny Optimist sailboat caught against the stern: the ship's beam is 40 meters.

See also: Piero Neri - Alfredo Neri - Zim Qingdao & MSC Vigo
Search labels: tug

Monday, June 29, 2015

Squirting Cucumber

Ecballium elaterium, squirting cucumber, Via Salvatore Orlando, Livorno
We all know that it's a bad world out there, but one would not expect to be attacked by a plant. This happened a few days ago when I tried to photograph some strange bulbs in Via Salvatore Orlando: they repeatedly popped, squirting something in my direction. Only after the fact I have learned that these plants are called squirting cucumbers, and now I know why...

External link: Ecballium elaterium (Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Greetings from Livorno #5

Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
Another postcard published by Künzli Frères in Zurich around 1900 with a view on the Grand Hotel Palazzo, the Cisternone, and the Four Moors.
Old postcard, greetings from Livorno
A postcard published by Vierbucher in Milan showing us the Lighthouse, part of the Porto Mediceo, and the main building of the Naval Academy.
(Postcards digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: Greetings from Livorno - Greetings from Livorno #2 - Greetings from Livorno #3 - Greetings from Livorno #4 - Grand Hotel Palazzo - Cisternone - Four Moors - The Lighthouse
Search labels: postcard

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Fiamme Azzurre

Lisbon Express, IMO 9108128, port of Livorno
A sailboat of the Fiamme Azzurre (Blue Flames), the Penitentiary Police sports club, against the side of the passing 214-meter container ship “Lisbon Express”.

See also: Lisbon Express - M/V Lisbon Express
External links: Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre (Wikipedia)
Search labels: sailboat

Friday, June 26, 2015

Zumpa Dancing

Zumpa Dancing sign, Borgo dei Cappuccini, Livorno
I know very little about ‘Zumba’, but I have no idea what ‘Zumpa’ is. They do it in Borgo dei Cappuccini.

External links: Zumba (Wikipedia)
See also: Borgo Cappuccini

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Citroën DS

Citroën DS, Livorno
The Citroën DS was a revolutionary car for its time, designed by Flaminio Bertoni. It was the first mass production car equipped with disc brakes. ‘DS’ is pronounced in French as ‘Déesse’, which means goddess.

External links: Citroën DS - Flaminio Bertoni (Wikipedia)
See also: Volkswagen Beetle
Search labels: vintage car

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Queen Victoria

Cruise ship Queen Victoria, IMO 9320556, port of Livorno
This is not my best backlight shot, but I have finally caught the 294-meter “Queen Victoria” in our waters. I already saw her slowly negotiating the Giudecca Canal, in Venice, a couple of years ago.
Cruise ship Queen Victoria, IMO 9320556, port of Livorno
Cruise ship Queen Victoria, IMO 9320556, port of Livorno
In the above shots you can see her sliding by the Madonna dei Popoli and then turning toward the open sea, just outside the port.

See also: Madonna dei Popoli - MS Queen Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth
External links: MS Queen Victoria (Wikipedia) - MS Queen Victoria (DPS)
Search labels: cruise ship

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Cat of June

The grumpy cat, port of Livorno
In my February Cat post I was quite worried for our old friend, the grumpy cat. As you can see he is alive and well...

See also: Watch Cat - The Grumpy Cat - Killer Gaze - February Cat
Search labels: cat

Monday, June 22, 2015

Via Minghi

Via Minghi, Livorno
Some curious buildings in Via Minghi, just off Viale Petrarca.
Via Minghi, Livorno
Via Minghi, Livorno
The strangest thing is probably the blue of the top balconies...

Livorno Daily Photo has just passed 600,000 page views: as always, thanks to you all!

See also: 500,000 - 2000! - Half a Million - Top Ranking Blog

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Rope Barometer

Rope Barometer, Via Saragozza, Bologna
I have an absolute distrust in weather forecasts, because they are almost always wrong or simply exaggerated. I wonder why people keep listening to the demented words of these charlatans, like they were an oracle: compared to this even a horoscope looks like science. On the other hand, I have recently discovered a serious and well-thought device that can help us against these apostles of the uncertain weather, and I am glad to share it with you. It is an ancient contraption called “Barometro a corda” (Rope Barometer), and you can easily build your own.

Rope Barometer

Rope dry: sunny
Rope wet: rainy
Rope stiff: freezing cold
Rope moving: windy
Can't see the rope: fog or you drank too much
Rope gone: somebody stole it
(This is not from Livorno: I found it under the porticoes of Via Saragozza, in Bologna)

Friday, June 19, 2015

Lady Mara

Bicycle abandoned on the lungomare, Livorno
It has been a while since my last post of “bicycle art” and I hope you will appreciate the drama of this work placed on the lungomare, not far from the new building at the Scoglio della Regina.

“Call me ‘Mara’! That’s because the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.” (Ruth 1:20)

Search labels: bicycle art
External links: Bicycle Art (Inspiration Green)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Scuola Elementare Montenero

Ceramic tiles, Montenero Elementary School, Livorno
A “mural” of ceramic tiles dated 1961 on the wall of the Montenero Elementary School.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Vica

Motor yacht Vica, IMO 9695274, port of Livorno
The 44-meter “Vica” is a Model Vision yacht built in 2010 by Benetti, with the exterior design by Stefano Righini and the interior by Zuretti. She can accomodate up to ten guests in five comfortable cabins. I have read that last year she was on sale for about 15 million euro.

External links: Vica (Yacht Charter Fleet)
Search labels: yacht

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

One More Blackbird

Blackbird in Piazza della Vittoria, Livorno
I was late when I saw this bird in Piazza della Vittoria, but he wasn't in a rush.
Blackbird in Piazza della Vittoria, Livorno
Blackbird in Piazza della Vittoria, Livorno
So I took my time and here it is his portfolio...

See also: The Blackbird - A Blackbird - Blackbirds Don't Tweet - The Singing Blackbird
Search labels: bird

Sunday, June 14, 2015

San Jacopo

Church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva, Livorno
The church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva and its small pier. (Photo taken last April)
Old postcard, church of San Jacopo in Acquaviva, Livorno
A wider view of the same area in an old postcard.
(Postcard digitized from the collection of Antonio Cantelli)

See also: San Jacopo in Acquaviva - The Missing Bell Tower
Search labels: postcard

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Perle di Livorno

Sailboat Ondalunga, porto di Livorno
The “Perle di Livorno” (Pearls of Livorno) are the three islands of the Tuscan Archipelago within the province of Livorno: Gorgona, Capraia and Elba. It is also the name of a race where the sailboats touch the three islands before coming back to Livorno. The winner of the third edition was my friend Roberto with his “Ondalunga”.

See also: Ondalunga - Gorgona
External links: Tuscan Archipelago (Wikipedia)
- Via col vento, trionfa l’Ondalunga di Cestari (Il Tirreno, in Italian)
Search labels: sailboat

Friday, June 12, 2015

Clouds

Clouds over the Fosso Reale, Livorno
Late afternoon: clouds over the Fosso Reale. (Photo taken last May)

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Hämeenmaa

The “Hämeenmaa” is a minelayer of the Finnish Navy, launched in 1991 and thoroughly modernized in 2007.
Minelayer Hämeenmaa, port of Livorno
The ships of this class, the other is the “Uusimaa”, are practically perfect for monitoring Russia's Baltic fleet.
Minelayer Hämeenmaa, port of Livorno
Minelayer Hämeenmaa, port of Livorno
Since October 2013 the “Hämeenmaa” is also the flagship of the Finnish Navy.

External links: Minelayer - Hämeenmaa-class minelayer (Wikipedia)

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

A Gallery and a Museum

Cathedral of San Francesco, Piazza Grande, Livorno
The bishop of Livorno has recently announced the intention of transforming the small porticoes on the sides of our Cathedral in a permanent gallery and a diocesan museum of sorts.

See also: Works around the Cathedral - A New Piazza Grande? - Duomo di Livorno - Around the Duomo - Fontana del Duomo - Inside the Cathedral - Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel - Marco Alessandro del Borro

Monday, June 8, 2015

Lions Staircase

Entrance of Palazzo Squilloni, scali Cialdini, Livorno
Lions do not watch only gates, but also staircases: this is the majestic entrance of Palazzo Squilloni.
Entrance of Palazzo Squilloni, scali Cialdini, Livorno
Lion of Palazzo Squilloni, scali Cialdini, Livorno
As we have already seen, the building entrance is on Scali Cialdini, but its side faces the Fosso Reale.

See also: Scali D'Azeglio - On the Fosso Reale - Palazzo Squilloni

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Coppa Risi'atori 2015

Last Saturday I wasn't able to be at the “Coppa Risi'atori”, but here are the photos of my friend Maurizio.
Venezia, Coppa Risi'atori 2015, Livorno
The crew of the “Venezia” won the race for the seventh year in a row.
Ovo Sodo, Coppa Risi'atori 2015, Livorno
Borgo, Coppa Risi'atori 2015, Livorno
“Ovo Sodo” ended up second and “Borgo Cappuccini” was third.
Salviano, Coppa Risi'atori 2015, Livorno
“Salviano” was last, with only nine rowers... Maurizio is also a good photographer, isn't he?
[Photos by Maurizio]
See also: Coppa Risi'atori - Coppa Risi'atori 2012 - Maurizio - Walk... on Water
Search labels: rowing

Saturday, June 6, 2015

The Mayor Speaks

Mayor Filippo Nogarin speaking in Piazza Attias, Livorno
The photo was shot on May 8 and the mayor, Filippo Nogarin, was speaking at a political meeting in Piazza Attias, introducing his party's candidate in the regional elections that took place over the last weekend.

See also: A New Mayor - City Council - Piazza Attias

Friday, June 5, 2015

Otterness' Fiddler

Downtown Alliance ad, The Real World by Tom Otterness, Battery Park City, New York
The above panel is one of a series advertising a new bus service in Lower Manhattan: the image is a detail of the sculpture “The Real World” by Tom Otterness, in Battery Park City, New York.
The Real World by Tom Otterness, Battery Park City, New York
I am obviously quite happy that they used, after asking permission, a photo of mine for this ad.

External links: Tom Otterness (Wikipedia) - Fiddler on the Roof (DPS)
Search labels: Otterness (DPS)

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Pam Superstore

Pam Superstore, Piazza Saragat, Livorno
A winter view of the Pam Superstore, in Piazza Saragat. (Picture taken last March)

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Fratelli Neri

Portacontainer Rio de Janeiro, IMO 9357963, porto di Livorno
We have already seen many of the tugs working in the port of Livorno: today it is the time of the “Fratelli Neri”.
Rimorchiatore Fratelli Neri, IMO 9393125, porto di Livorno
Portacontainer Rio de Janeiro, IMO 9357963, porto di Livorno
The 24-meter “Fratelli Neri” was built in 2007 at the Rosetti Marino shipyard in Ravenna, Italy.
Rimorchiatore Fratelli Neri, IMO 9393125, porto di Livorno
In all these images the tug is assisting the 286-meter container ship “Rio de Janeiro”. Like almost every other tug of the Neri fleet, the “Fratelli Neri” has also fire fighting capabilities.

See also: Calm Waters - Baltimore, København - Maersk Kimi - Rio de Janeiro
External links: Neri Group (Official site)
Search labels: tug