A bridge west of the celebrated Pointeveccia lies the Trinity. Defending Florence at the Arno River in late 1944, the Germans blew the bridge to hinder the Allies’ crossing. The war rolled on north where it ended months later.
The people of Florence (or Firenze, as they say) restored the bridge, salvaging original stones from the river bottom. They re-assembled the puzzle of blasted pieces, as nearly as possible the way they lay before the explosion.
Replacement of irreparably shattered bits were mined from the same quarry used in 1569. The original head from a statue dedicated to spring was recovered from the river in 1961. A labor of love.
Greetings from the Romanian rail system en route to Brasov!!
Romanians are unfailingly polite but further down the grim scale than their Western European counterparts. Far fewer funny signs!
Nothing like the Italian joie de vivre or cheerful British cheek.
Which reminds me: our Best Sign in the UK Award, (Bakery Special Mention): “Fat people are hard to kidnap. Stay safe! Eat more cake!!”
People I’ve spoken with here seem leery of their government and worried adoption of the Euro will raise prices but not wages. Most of them support Croatia in the World Cup but expect France to win.
Best to all!
Mike + Cookie