The San Francisco call., 1905-03-26
SAN ROssORE A REAL
HOME OF ROYALTY
Magnificent Estate of tho King o.
Italy and Some Of Ito
TYn3rvvA nrou


Italy and Some OF Ito
Unique Treasures.
san Rossore, where the Italian royA
FAMILY pass their autumn months ID
without exception. the most peau-
tiful estate owned by the mouse
OF Savoy. It extends from war
resgio to Livorno. at the foot OF lne
Apuan Alps. combining the charm OF
the seashore with the attractions OF
the mountains. Formerly It pelongeo
to the Archbishops of Pisa, from
whom the Grand Dukes Of Tuscany
purchased it and made it state prop.
erty. which explains how 1t was tnat
In 1860. at the time of the annexatlon
or tuscany to the kingdom OF lta!y'
1t ranked as one of the gems In the
civil list Of Victor Emmanuel IL. me
Grand Dukes resided there the greater
part OF the year, and one, Leopold IL,
built extensive farmhouses, w1tnln
which are numerous breeding animals.
ABOUT these farms are widespreaoins
fields, where still horses, oxen cows
sheep and buffalo Craze in peace. san
Rossore comprises also extensive cul-
tivated fertile lands; but the greater
part of it-and that is its essential
characteristic-is the thickly planted
woodlands, which yield an important
revenue from the sale Of Its pine trees.
In these woods game is most plentifui:
while in the lakes, ponds and small
streams there is any quantity Of fresh
water fish. At San Rossore one can
indulge in almost any sport, for there
are wild boar, stays. reindeer. pneas-
ants, partridges and almost every
species of inland water fowl
OF all the curiosities at San Rossore.
the most curious, undoubtedly, are the
camels used for the purpose Of re-
m iyacr ", fscrf
not by any means ordinary camels.
They are historical camels, and would
be proud of 1t were they conscious OF
1T, for 1t is said their ancestors inquired
in the Crusades. History tells US that
these animals were brought from
Syria to Pisa In galleys which the
P.san republic had dispatched to the
Holy Land for the purpose of bringing
back a load of the mold from the
this mold had the popularity OF ab-
sorbing the bodies buried in 1T. The
Pisans intrusted with the mission OF
bringing it over evidently thought that
they could not do better when II was
shipped on board the galleys than 10
embark as we'll the camels which had
been laden with it. These camels were
sent on to San Rossore. They pros
pered and multiplied there and II Is
IBclT QSSCeu0dnlS WHICH are uSCo 1oi
the purpose of shifting the timber
from the royal demesne.
With regard to the dogs in the ken
nels at San Rossore, every breed In use
for sporting purposes has been per-
petuated there, from the remotest
medieval times. They have their hos
pital, as we'll as small cemetery. with
its accompanying tombstones, on
which are recorded the names Of the
dogs which had their fieeting hours 'of
celebrity in the hunting field. With
regard to the chateau itself, 1t Is OF
somewhat modest appearance and di-
mensions, but it contains numerous
works of art of priceless value.
Victor Emmanuel II spent much OF
his spare time at San Rossore between
1854 and 1S70-that is to say, at the
time when his capital was at Florence
and not at Rome. In 1868 the King
became very i'll, and so serious was his
condition that the Bishop Of Pisa was
sent for to hear his confession. The
prelate came in haste and thought to
profit by the opportunity to ask him
to make certain political concessions.
"Eminence," said the King, IF you
want OF speak about affairs Of state
you will find my Ministers in the next
room; oblidge me by going there.
London Globe.