Ardenza Stadium

This strange creature is not some kind of robot, but a simple juxtaposition of two security cameras and one of the light towers at the stadium of Livorno. You could not guess who let me inside: my friend Stefano.The stadium hosts the home games of the Livorno football team and has a capacity of 20.000 seats lowered to 15.000 for UEFA matches.The stadium was built in the 30's between the southern border of Livorno and the quarter of Ardenza, just in front of the National Naval Academy. Projected by the architect Raffaello Brizzi, it was the first building in reinforced concrete ever built in town.
It was inaugurated in 1933 still unfinished, in a tipically italian way, and dedicated to Edda Ciano Mussolini, the daughter of the Duce. Works ended at last in 1934.
On the end of the last war, with the arrival of the American troops, it was quickly renamed “Yankee Stadium”.Commonly known as “Ardenza”, in 1990 was officially named “Armando Picchi”, honoring the Livornese football champion that won three National Titles, two Champions League Cups e two Intercontinental Cups as Captain of the “Grande Inter”.In 1947 Livorno was demoted in Second Division and only in 2004 the team was back in “Serie A” (First Division). The “first fan” Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, then President of the Italian Republic, was present at the first match played in the top division.