Monday, August 10, 2009

Villa Regina

Park of Villa Regina, LivornoThis is the first time I visited a city park called “Villa Regina” and probably would be the last. The entrance was derelict and quite unwelcoming, but I had to explore it and so I went inside.Park of Villa Regina, LivornoThe first part of the park is an alley lined by trees, eerily desert in the early Sunday afternoon. The unleafy plants were totally unable to provide any comfortable shadow from the August sun.Park of Villa Regina, LivornoAfter an underpass I saw strange signs of life, just before the park proper: a whole wall of these prints, obviously symbolizing the desire of any living creature to escape this sad place.Park of Villa Regina, LivornoHalf a dozen of these toys were baking in the sun on unkept land. Nearby, a bridge completely covered with graffiti crosses an empty canal, which obviously lead to a very dry pond.Park of Villa Regina, LivornoThis is probably the highlight of the park: it reminded me of the flat mountain of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Perhaps it is only a dry fountain in an empty basin.Park of Villa Regina, LivornoRushing back toward the normal world I found this mural, which I liked instantly. I have no idea what the subjects are, but they are really a lot nicer of everything I saw here. I met nobody in “Villa Regina”: it was only me, all the time.

23 comments:

Clueless in Boston said...

I really like the first picture. It may be derelict, but it makes a great picture.

tapirgal said...

I was also enamoured of the first photo, but I kept going, and I found this to be a remarkable post from beginning to end. I really loved every part of it. I'm sure it was much more fun to visit your blog than for you to visit the park, but you made it very amusing and enjoyable for me! Fantastic!!! By the way, the mural is obviously horses eating spaghetti (you didn't know that?).

Julie said...

I agree: my grin became broader the further into you lamentation I progressed. Well written. You winge so beautifully.

I too find the first image incredibly beautiful. I truly love things that are derelict.

Enjoyable post, VP ...

Anonymous said...

Wow! You did have a creepy experience! I would probably have only taken that first shot (which is lovely with the blush colored wall) and missed all of the rest, but luckily, you delved deeper and came upon some real treasures. I like the abandoned playground equipment and weird animal footprints. But that last one of the graffiti! That is too cool. Can't tell what it is either. Maybe aliens emerging from a plate of spaghetti?

brattcat said...

I second, third, fourth, etc everything said. Perhaps a strange outing for you but what a treasure it yielded in this post. Please, for all of us who follow you, VP, indulge yourself in a miserable journey perhaps once a week ( :

martha said...

Fascinating adventure. Thank you for taking us along; but I think they are cows eating spaghetti

Fio said...

Hmm... Sounds like a begining of SF film screenplay.

Saretta said...

Looks like just about all the city parks here in unkempt Molfetta! LOL! Love especially the pink first and last shots! What is that last one: pigs learning to knit?

Lowell said...

How very sad! But great photos! You captured the isolation and desolation extremely well...and ended your post with that delightful could of "aliens?"

Good job, VP!

cieldequimper said...

Sounds like a ghostly place which is sad.

Halcyon said...

How sad. It looks like it must have been a nice place at one time.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I hope you've shamed someone into action to fix this up!

amatamari© said...

Perhaps the sheep and wool yarn?
:-)
The place abandoned is one of the funniest things that I read ...
Bravo, great post!

crocrodyl said...

But I like the first photo! It is full of mystery!

joo said...

The place looks strange but the first photo is awesome - I love it!

Anonymous said...

I once took a picture of the same springy horse. The colour was different though.

stromsjo said...

I agree with Fio. Almost like something out of a movie. Your persistence in this research endeavor is greatly appreciated.

Hilda said...

It's so sad that this park is so neglected when it obviously can be so beautiful. I hope your city will restore it someday.

Your commentary about the pawprints and tabletop mountain got me grinning.

Unknown said...

Great post and great captures! The 1st shot is my favourite!

Kate said...

I echo so many others: I LOVE the first photo. Very artistic!

Wolynski said...

LOVE this blog. The photos re stunning.

Anonymous said...

May be those are spaghetti monsters :)Or talking meatballs...
I like the old window - like to look at those - although I prefer modern clean and crispy windows on my home :) Thank you for visiting my Mom's site - Nadine from Bulgaria - she is still learning how to use the internet translator - I fixed a blog for her just a week ago - and she chose Ruby Tuesday to be her meme :)

stromsjo said...

Also, a fancy name for a gloomy park.