“Baracchina” literally means small shack, but it is used here to define a structure, formerly in wood, on our “lungomare” which houses a bar or a cafe. There are several along “Viale Italia”, but the most famous one and the coolest is the “Baracchina Rossa”.
The first incarnation of the “Baracchina”, built in 1897, when it was known as “Alhambra”. The postcard is probably of the first years of the 1900's, before the construction of the new annex.
The second postcard is dated around 1942 and shows the place almost as it is now. By the way “Baracchina Rossa” is Red Chalet.
The third postcard may be late 60s or early 70s and, as you can see, only the chairs are different. The “Baracchina Rossa” has a website and a Facebook fan page, both in Italian.See also: www.baracchinarossa.it - Baracchina Rossa (Facebook)
Yesterday I posted this image by mistake, and luckily my friend Stefano corrected me. This is not the old “Baracchina”, but the nearby chalet “Scoglio Garibaldi” (Garibaldi's Rock). Stefano sent me the correct postcard, now included in the original post.
How very cool. Do you collect postcards of Livorno?
ReplyDeleteThis is a place reeking with character! I think the architecture is superb and would very much like to spend a couple of hours there.
Maybe you'll take us there if we ever get to Livorno?
Lovely building, and I think that place is nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This really is a great post. It is so nice to see then and now pictures.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind enjoying a drinkski and break there!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful and preety !!Great
ReplyDeleteIt's such an unusual building and the fact that it has survived this long says something about how amazing it is. I love the name, so very pretty to say out loud.
ReplyDeleteInteresting structure. Looks like a nice place for a break; I would love to sit on the terrace and sip coffee.
ReplyDeleteHmm not as small as the name sounds. The place looks very well built. And, if you look at the comparison, there isn't much change after the first incarnation! Nice comparison!!
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Thanks so much for sharing your discovers, I'm always enchanted by those comparisons between old postcards or pictures and the new view , I mean nowadays.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!
Léia
Looks very inviting and impressive at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the history, and it does look like a cool place! On Facebook, they also have a lot of friends and a "complicated" relationship :)
ReplyDeleteMost of all I like the horse and buggy in the old photo, and maybe those are overhead trolley lines?
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute and quaint building! I love how you have all these postcards, showing the history of the building! Beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteLovely architecture and it's great to see the baracchina in such a good shape!
ReplyDeleteSure seems to have withstood the test of time.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely little building! I'm glad it's now painted red to match its name.
ReplyDeleteI like the time travel. MB
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting and beautiful building! I always enjoy seeing old pictures and contrasting them with the way a place looks now.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking shacks in Livorno are very different from shacks here in Canada. :)
ReplyDeleteYou must have a fabulous collection of old photos and postcards!
La petite baraque rouge. Looks like a wonderful place for a drink after a walk, especially in the summer I suppose. The chronological post is super!
ReplyDelete@ Jacob - I don't have a collection but I have scanned some...
ReplyDeleteYou are obviously invited, but the expert on Baracchina is Trillian!
@ Dina - Yes, those are trolley lines.
1942 eh? Trying to relax with a cup of something in the midst of war. Makes one think.
ReplyDelete@ Jacob: You welcome! I have spent fifteen years of my life hanging there, so be sure that I know the place very well...
ReplyDeleteInteresting, nice and a place I would like to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this beautiful place.
They had a very nice homepage too.
I find it so interesting that postcards often have an historical significance, and takes us back to an earlier time. Love collecting them myself.
ReplyDeleteUn gran bel post, grazie davvero: molto interessante questo confronto e bellissima la baracchina rossa!!!
ReplyDelete:-)
Do they put the chairs and tables back on the terrace for the summer? A wonderful old building. The website offers "Free Drinks".
ReplyDeleteThree Rivers Daily Photo
Nothing changes in Livorno, except the people.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely buildings.
Love these "now & then" posts.
ReplyDeleteLove these "now & then" posts.
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