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1832 map of Pompei

In by Silvio DellʼAcqua

1832 map of Ancient Pompeii, Italy (near Naples), that is part of the atlas Maps issued in 1844 by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in London (published by Baldwin & Cradock). Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius, in A.D. 79 and remained buried under ash until its rediscovery in 1748. At thet time, the excavated portions of Pompeii was …

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1835 map of Naples

In by Silvio DellʼAcqua

Naples (Italy) in a 1835 map, that is part of the atlas Maps issued in London by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (published by Baldwin & Cradock). Commons

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Umberto Primo Avenue in Alessandria, 1900 c.a

In by Silvio DellʼAcqua

“Viale Umberto Primo” (Umberto Primo Avenue), now called “via dei Martiri” (Martyrs street) in a early 1900s postcard from Alessandria (Piedmont, Northern Italy). The cafè on the right corner was called “Bar Portorico — Americano”, later renamed “Bar Nazionale”, that also had a pool room. Collection Tony Frisina/Commons

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Asti (Italy) railway station, 1934

In by Silvio DellʼAcqua

Piedmont, Italy: Asti railway station in 1934 with a Fiat ALb 48 “littorina” railcar of Ferrovie dello Stato (State Railway). Asti is located on the Torino–Genova line and is the terminus of Asti–Genova line. Also the now–defunct Chivasso-Asti, Mortara-Asti and Asti-Castagnole delle Lanze lines converged here. Cecami postcard,photo by Cesare Carello, 1934 (Commons).

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Ezzelino, «pitiful scraps of nefarious tyranny»

In by Silvio DellʼAcqua

Usually, commemorative plaques are pretentious and celebratory about the historic personalities whose they are dedicated: this one, spelling «pitiful scraps of nefrious tyranny», is a masterpiece of brevity. It is walled on the medieval tower known as  “Torre di Ezzelino” in Padua (Italy) and refers to Ezzelino III da Romano aka “The Tyrant” (1194 – 1259), Ghibellin party politician and warlord, allied with Frederick II and  Lord of the …