Dante Alighieri Street from the Brignardello Portico.
In Lavagna, Liguria, Italy, on the Italian Riviera, Dante Alighieri Street can be seen from an unusual viewpoint: the terrace above the Brignardello Portico, beside the Basilica of Santo Stefano. I really enjoy taking photographs in this part of the old town, where historic architecture, the square and the surrounding streets come together to create views I never tire of exploring.
I have photographed the basilica’s churchyard many times. Its broad open space, monumental staircase and traditional decorative pebble pavement make it an endlessly interesting subject. The Brignardello Portico has its own special charm, with its columns and elegant covered walkway bordering the square. This time, however, I decided to look beyond these familiar features and focus on the street running through the area: Dante Alighieri Street.
What makes this photograph different is the position from which I took it. From the terrace above the portico, the street can be viewed from above, giving it a very different appearance from the one you experience while walking along it. The perspective changes the relationship between the buildings, making it easier to appreciate the lines of the street and how it fits into the surrounding townscape. It is a viewpoint that can easily be overlooked when simply crossing the square.
The Brignardello Portico was built in the late nineteenth century at the initiative of Nicola Brignardello, a benefactor who provided funds for a portico with an elevated terrace for public use. Completed between 1894 and 1898, it has become one of the distinctive landmarks of this part of Lavagna.
One of the things I enjoy most about photography is the opportunity to return to a familiar place and discover something new. You do not always need to travel to another city or venture far away. Sometimes, climbing a few steps, moving a short distance or looking at a street from a different height is enough to create a completely new image.
In this photograph, Dante Alighieri Street takes centre stage, while the nearby basilica and portico remain part of the wider setting. It is another way of telling the story of Lavagna, through an everyday street seen from a less familiar position.
Do you know this elevated viewpoint above the Brignardello Portico, or have you always seen Dante Alighieri Street from street level? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photo taken with a Canon EOS M100 camera and Canon EF-M 11-22 lens.
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