*The garrison public affairs office translates summaries of local news articles for the convenience of non-Italian speaking community members. The information contained in these summaries is originally written by Italian news sources and does not reflect the opinion of U.S. Army Garrison Italy or any of its tenant commands. Direct any questions about the Italian news to the garrison public affairs D’Italia
Italian News from Camp Darby – May 20, 2025
- Giro d’Italia in Pisa
- New speedometers in Livorno province
- Pisa is enhancing security with surveillance cameras
- “Pontedera Kids” promises fun and games
- Grand Renaissance Ball at Terrazza Mascagni
Giro d’Italia in Pisa – May 20, Il Tirreno
PISA – The big day has arrived: on May 20, the Giro d’Italia returned to Pisa after 35 years with a time trial stage starting from Lucca. The city has been preparing for days, with streets being decorated and final touches being made. The route took cyclists through various streets and landmarks in Pisa, culminating in Piazza dei Miracoli. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
New speedometers in Livorno province – May 20, Il Tirreno
COLLESALVETTI (Livorno) – Four fixed speed control stations have been installed at locations identified by the decree of the Prefect of Livorno. The locations are in the town of Torretta Vecchia at kilometer 28+370 of Sr 206; in the town of Guasticce at kilometer 5+300 of SP 555 (Via Don Sturzo); in the town of Stagno at kilometer 0+300 of Sp 555 (Via Barontini); and in the area of Ponte Biscottino at kilometer 15+030 of Ss 67-bis Arnaccio. All stations are bidirectional, covering both directions of travel. Currently, only the Ponte Biscottino station is active, as the other three require the installation of pre-signage as mandated by current regulations. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Pisa is enhancing security with surveillance cameras – May 20, Il Tirreno
PISA – Pisa is enhancing its security and surveillance system with the installation of 63 new license plate reading cameras. These cameras will be strategically placed to cover all city access points, adding to the existing eight cameras. The project, funded with €1,040,000 by the municipal administration, aims to improve access control, road safety and support for law enforcement investigations. Once activated, the cameras will be connected to the operational centers of the police forces. The total number of surveillance devices in the city will increase to 263, including 164 surveillance cameras and 99 license plate reading cameras. The installation will be completed in three phases, with the first phase covering Coltano, the second Pisa North, and the third Pisa South. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
“Pontedera Kids” promises fun and games – May 20, PisaToday
PONTEDERA (Pisa) – The seventh edition of Pontedera Kids will take place on Saturday, May 24, offering an afternoon of games and fun for children. The event will transform the city center into a vibrant space filled with activities and colors from 3 to 7 p.m. The initiative aims to bring families and children to explore and enjoy the historic streets and squares of Pontedera. Local officials and organizers emphasize the event’s success in engaging the community and supporting local commerce. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Grand Renaissance Ball at Terrazza Mascagni – May 20, LivornoToday
LIVORNO – The Gran Ballo Risorgimentale Livorno 2025 will take place on Saturday, May 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Terrazza Mascagni in Livorno. The event commemorates the anniversary of the “Moti Risorgimentali Livornesi” (Livornese Risorgimento Uprisings) of May 10-11, 1849. The celebration will feature 19th-century music and dance, including quadrilles, waltzes, country dances and mazurkas, performed by dancers from various Italian dance circles. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact livorno@societadidanza.it. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Recent Italian News highlights
Workers leveling beaches in Marina di Pisa – May 15, PisaToday
MARINA DI PISA – Workers are currently leveling the gravel beaches in Marina di Pisa. Reconstruction of the cliffs between Bagno Arcobaleno and Bagno Marta will also begin in the next few days. The project was financed by the Municipality of Pisa with a contribution from the Tuscany Region, totaling approximately 64,000 euros. Maintenance work will also soon begin on the reefs in the same area, with a project cost of 215,000 euros. (Summary by Andrea Culletto)
Sale of Pam in Pisa sparks state of agitation – May 15, PisaToday
PISA – The sale of the historic Pam Supermarket on Via Cascine in Pisa is imminent. Slated to be purchased by Micasa Shop srl, the sale has caused concern within the unions about the potential loss of employment for 19 current Pam employees. Saturday, May 17, is the last day the store will be open to the public. Workers will be emptying the branch until May 31, following which they will be placed on vacation for the entire month of June. What happens after that is yet to be confirmed. (Summary by Andrea Culletto)
Encampment cleared from the woods – May 15, LivornoToday
ROSIGNANO – The Municipal Police dismantled an encampment in the wooded area between Rosignano and Castiglioncello near the Variante Aurelia. Numerous car batteries used to power cell phones; flashlights; food; crates of water bottles; dishes; cooking stoves; bags of coal; blankets and sleeping bags were found and seized. This was part of an effort to combat drug dealing in the hilly areas of this region. (Summary by Andrea Culletto)
Record brood in Porcari with four chicks in the nest – May 13, Il Tirreno
PORCARI (Lucca) – In Porcari, a record brood of four stork chicks has been observed in the nest on Via Diaccio. The relationship between Porcari and these storks began in 2010 when a pair of storks built a nest on an electricity pylon. The white stork, once common in Roman times, had been absent from the area for centuries until the early 2000s. The first wild nest in Tuscany was recorded in 2005 in the Fucecchio marshes. Since 2010, storks have returned to the province of Lucca, leading to protective measures and the construction of a custom nest by Enel to ensure their safety. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Livorno is the cheapest town for pizza – May 12, Il Tirreno
LIVORNO – Consumers in Livorno spend less money on pizza and drinks than anywhere else in Italy, at €8.75 per dinner. As a result, it is the most affordable meal in the country. The cost of what essentially defines the Made in Italy around the world has risen by 18.3 percent in the last six years, reaching an average of €12.14 per person. Reggio Emilia is the city with the highest pizza prices, with an average dinner at a pizzeria costing around €17.58. Siena, on the other hand, ranks second, with an average price of €17.24 for a pizza and a drink. This is followed by Macerata (€16.25). Of the 59 provinces analyzed, seven have an average spending of more than €14 with drink. After Livorno, the least expensive destinations are Reggio Calabria (€9.15), Pescara (€9.37) and Catanzaro (€9.96). The survey states that these are the only cities where you can pay less than €10. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Where meadows fill with daffodils in May – May 12, Il Tirreno
FABBRICHE DI VERGEMOLI (Lucca) – Every year in May, the summit of Monte Croce witnesses the spectacular blooming of daffodils, which legend says are the tears shed by a shepherdess mourning the death of her betrothed. Each tear transformed into a white, fragrant daffodil covering the mountain. These blooms are protected and picking them is prohibited to ensure the spectacle continues year after year. As tradition dictates, many people hike to the summit to enjoy this sight. There are various routes to the summit, all about eight kilometers round trip. The route from Stazzema, following paths 6, 9 and 109, has a 700-meter elevation gain. From Garfagnana, main routes pass through San Pellegrinetto and Palagnana, where there is a large parking area. From Palagnana, follow path 135 to “Il Termine,” then path 108 to the base of Monte Croce, and finally the grassy ridge to the summit. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Dengue fever, one case in Pisa province – May 9, Il Tirreno
CASCINA (Pisa) – The mayor has issued an ordinance directed at all residents, condominium administrators, commercial operators and managers of productive activities to allow access for pest control personnel to carry out larvicidal and adulticidal treatments and remove larval breeding sites in private outdoor areas. Following a report from the ASL about a case of arboviruses from the Dengue virus transmitted by the tiger mosquito, the Municipality of Cascina, in the province of Pisa, will conduct adulticidal, larvicidal and larval breeding site elimination interventions as soon as weather conditions permit. Affected Areas include Via di Mezzo Nord, from house number 397 to 511 (south side) and from 218 to 274 (north side) and Via Laiano di Sotto from house number 1 to 4. In public areas, street drains, private areas and green areas pertaining to residences within the intervention area, the following actions will be taken including disinfestation of the affected area with insecticides, both adulticidal and larvicidal, on public and private properties; search and elimination of peri-domestic larval breeding sites with “door-to-door” inspections of homes within the indicated area. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Montenero funicular free on Sundays – May 5, LivornoToday
LIVORNO – Until Oct. 26, the Montenero funicular will be free on Sundays. Celebrating the 2025 Jubilee, the City of Livorno, in partnership with Autolinee Toscane, has adopted this initiative. “The administration’s plan to improve and revive public transportation includes this effort. Among other things, the funicular will develop into a major tourist destination, contributing to the revitalization of the Montenero district,” said Giovanna Cepparello, Livorno councilor for Mobility. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
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Pisa-Rome line: delays and cancellations starting from May 5 – April 17, PisaToday
PISA– Starting May 5, passengers traveling on the Pisa-Grosseto-Rome train line should expect delays and cancellations for approximately three months due to major infrastructure upgrades. The work, totaling nearly 100 million euros, includes installing a new European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and renewing 15 kilometers of track. Regional trains: delays averaging 10 minutes, some schedule adjustments and occasional cancellations on specific routes. Intercity trains: delays of 10-20 minutes, schedule adjustments and route diversions for overnight trains impacting stops in Rome, Civitavecchia, Grosseto and Livorno. Frecciabianca (high-speed) trains: schedule changes on the Rome-Genoa route via Civitavecchia-Grosseto-Livorno. Passengers are advised to check train schedules closer to their travel dates using Trenitalia’s information channels. This investment aims to improve the line's technology, safety and efficiency in the long run. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Five hidden gems for a day trip in Tuscany – April 17, Il Tirreno
TUSCANY – Here are five hidden gems in Tuscany for a peaceful getaway suggested by blogger Riccardo Franchini:
Val di Merse, immerse yourself in silent woods and discover hidden churches. Ideal for off-the-grid walks, fresh air and reconnecting with nature.
Montegiovi, this tiny village perched in the Val d'Orcia offers tranquility and breathtaking views. Perfect for escaping noise, finding inspiration, and enjoying the company of welcoming locals.
Isola Santa, this village nestled in the Apuan Alps overlooks an emerald lake, creating a surreal and peaceful atmosphere. Disconnect from technology and find solace in the beauty of your surroundings.
Poggio di Montieri, located in the heart of Grosseto’s hinterland, this ancient ridge is ideal for getting lost in nature with a loved one or finding solitude. Wake up to stunning views and the simple pleasures of life.
Badia Prataglia, this enchanting village lies within the Casentino Forests National Park. Explore ancient beech and fir forests, discover hidden paths and embrace the tranquility of this magical place. Each destination offers a unique escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and nature. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Maintenance work in Pisa – April 15, PisaToday
PISA – The city of Pisa has launched an extensive road resurfacing project involving more than 20 streets. This two-month project, which is planned to be completed by June 7, marks the final stage of a significant infrastructure revamp. This work comprises total road rehabilitation in areas where water and sewage networks were previously renovated. Several streets are set to be repaved including Via Squartini; Via Pontecorvo; Via Capiteta; Via Arginone; Via Emilia and Via Malasoma. The resurfacing efforts follow the completion of an update to the city’s sewage and purification systems. The cost of this project is €16 million and includes more than 25 kilometers of new pipelines, connecting numerous new customers to the sewage network and eliminating the final untreated direct discharges. It is considerably improving the quality and sustainability of the urban water supply. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Road closures for the summer – April 8, Il Tirreno
LIVORNO – From April 15 until Oct. 15, the Romito seaside route in Livorno, will be restricted to heavy traffic. This six-month closure, which was prolonged from the previous July-August period, affects the section from Maroccone to Chioma, as well as the SS206 between Vicarello and Malandrone. Traffic will be routed via the A12 motorway between Collesalvetti and Rosignano Marittimo. The CNA (National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) is concerned about the longer closure and lack of notification, citing increased expenses for local transportation companies owing to tolls, mileage and driving time. They seek reimbursement from local governments as well as a system for calculating transit through the affected toll booths. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Livorno Port opens doors – April 15, Il Tirreno
LIVORNO – Livorno is preparing to welcome locals and visitors alike to a month-long celebration of all things nautical with its “Italian Port Days” festival, which will take place throughout April and May 2025. This event attempts to bridge the gap between the port and the surrounding community by engaging, educating and entertaining. This festival offers activities to all, reminding everyone of the port’s critical role in the environmental, economic and cultural fabric of the Livorno area. Several interactive exhibits will explain the fragile balance of marine ecosystems. Students of all ages can try hands-on educational programs, which will include the opportunity to board navy ships and learn about the port’s rich history. “Italian Port Days” promises to be an outstanding event. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Wolf sighted near the sea at Vecchiano – April 8, Il Tirreno
PISA – A wolf, nicknamed as the “sea wolf,” has been observed prowling the beach at Bufalina, on the border of Vecchiano and Torre del Lago. A video shows the wolf walking down the beach during the day. This sighting comes after reports of a pack of wolves seen at night on Torre del Lago beach, prompting recommendations to keep pets on leashes. While these wolves are common in the area, they are not members of the established pack in the Pisa sector of the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Park. The park confirms that a distinct wolf family lives in San Rossore, contributing to the ecosystem by regulating the deer population. Researchers are monitoring wolf numbers in the park using a variety of tracking techniques. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Livorno church seeks revival – April 7, Il Tirreno
LIVORNO – The Chiesa dell'Apparizione (Church of the Apparition) in Livorno, Italy, closed for 19 years, is seeking to reopen. The Vallombrosan monks who own the church have launched a fundraising campaign to restore the building, which holds significant historical and religious importance as the site where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd boy in 1345. The initial fundraising goal is €300,000 to repair the damaged roof, with a total of 600,000 euros needed for a complete restoration of the church and adjacent rectory. Don Luca Giustarini, prior of the Montenero Abbey, is appealing to the Tuscan community and beyond for donations. Plans for the restored church include resuming mass celebrations, creating a parking area for pilgrims, establishing a retreat space in the rectory and housing seminarians who will care for the church. Donations can be made by contacting santamariadimontenero@gmail.com. A committee of monks and laypeople will oversee the transparent management of the funds. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Historical reenactment of the Ardenza circuit – April 7, LivornoToday
LIVORNO – Everything is ready for the seventh edition of the Circuito dell’Ardenza, a car reenactment of the historic race of Sept. 12, 1937, which, for the first time in the history of the Italian Grand Prix, left the Monza circuit to be held in Livorno. The crews are going to be in Piazza della Repubblica on April 12 and 13. The participants will travel through beautiful villages, tree-lined streets, the Tyrrhenian seashore, the high Maremma and the Tuscan hills of the provinces between Pisa and Livorno. The tour will include one-of-a-kind beauties, such as the cypress-lined avenue of Bolgheri in Castagneto Carducci and the towns of Cecina; Rosignano, Bibbona; Casale Marittimo; Guardistallo; Montescudaio; Riparbella; Castellina Marittima and Santa Luce to close the circle back in Livorno with the gala evening at the prestigious Yacht Club. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Marina di Pisa seafront goes car-free on holidays
MARINA DI PISA – Until June 8, the Marina di Pisa promenade will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays and public holidays, including those falling in the middle of the week, from 2 to 8 p.m. During these closure times, bicycles and comparable vehicles are permitted on the bike route within the closed-off area, but only at a walking pace. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Beaches to have mandatory lifeguards starting May 1 – March 28, LivornoToday
LIVORNO – New Tuscany regulations now require lifeguard services at beach facilities from May 1 to Sept. 30, corresponding with the extended tourist season. Unlike earlier traditions, where lifeguards were mostly present on weekends, the new laws demand their attendance throughout the establishment’s operating hours, including weekdays. However, it has raised concerns among beach operators, who anticipate a substantial shortfall of experienced lifeguards to handle the increased demand. To address these concerns and clarify the new laws, beach operators and the Port Captaincy have met, including a productive discussion with important stakeholders and officials on March 26. The goal is to ensure consistent safety standards throughout all Tuscan beaches, in line with norms in other Italian regions. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Summer vibes return with the reopening of seaside kiosks – March 28, Il Tirreno
PISA – Summer has returned to the shore between Livorno and Quercianella, with the reopening of popular seaside kiosks including the Baretto dell'Accademia, which commemorated its 10th anniversary on March 29; the “twin” kiosk at Tre Ponti opened on April 1. Il Pinguino, a street food and burger restaurant, will also reopen in April. Further south, La Spiaggetta in Quercianella will continue its long tradition of “peace and love” theme. These kiosks provide a casual setting for chatting, enjoying the beach, and commemorating the beginning of the summer season. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Jennifer Lopez in concert at Lucca Summer Festival – April 8, Il Tirreno
LUCCA – Jennifer Lopez announces her “It's My Party” tour with a stop in Lucca, on July 21, 2025, as part of the Lucca Summer Festival. Tickets will be available starting April 11 at 11 a.m. Ticket prices range from €86 for standing room to €250 for numbered seating (Sector 1). Fans can expect a performance featuring her greatest hits. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
Tap&tap service available on regional trains
LIVORNO – The new rapid ticket purchasing channel for regional trains in Tuscany has arrived. The "Tap&Tap" system is operational as of Dec. 19, and it will enable passengers to save time when purchasing the voucher by allowing contactless payment cards to be passed straight from the station’s specific validators. The system is currently in operation at the 16 stops on the Florence-Pisa-Livorno route. To purchase a ticket, simply bring your contactless payment card, smartphone or enabled smartwatches close to the readers located in the validators at the departure station and then perform the same operation at the arrival station. With the same card, it is possible to purchase a ticket for only one adult passenger (ordinary adult fare in second class), while at the checkpoint on board the train it will be sufficient to communicate the last four numbers of the payment card used. (Summary by Chiara Mattirolo)
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