Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Baracchina Rossa

Baracchina Rossa, Livorno“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”.Alhambra, old postcard, LivornoThe 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.Baracchina Rossa, old postcard, LivornoThe second postcard is dated around 1942 and shows the place almost as it is now. By the way “Baracchina Rossa” is Red Chalet.Baracchina Rossa, old postcard, LivornoThe 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)

Chalet Scoglio Garibaldi, old postcard, LivornoYesterday 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.

30 comments:

Lowell said...

How very cool. Do you collect postcards of Livorno?

This 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?

nobu said...

Lovely building, and I think that place is nice.

James said...

I agree. This really is a great post. It is so nice to see then and now pictures.

Leif Hagen said...

I wouldn't mind enjoying a drinkski and break there!

Unseen Rajasthan said...

This is so beautiful and preety !!Great

PJ said...

It'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.

Andreea said...

Interesting structure. Looks like a nice place for a break; I would love to sit on the terrace and sip coffee.

Kcalpesh said...

Hmm 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!!

Pixellicious Photos

Cezar and Léia said...

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.
Great pictures!
Léia

Stefan Jansson said...

Looks very inviting and impressive at the same time.

tapirgal said...

I 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 :)

Dina said...

Most of all I like the horse and buggy in the old photo, and maybe those are overhead trolley lines?

Kaori said...

What a cute and quaint building! I love how you have all these postcards, showing the history of the building! Beautiful :)

Unknown said...

Lovely architecture and it's great to see the baracchina in such a good shape!

B SQUARED said...

Sure seems to have withstood the test of time.

Hilda said...

Such a lovely little building! I'm glad it's now painted red to match its name.

Small City Scenes said...

I like the time travel. MB

Lois said...

What an interesting and beautiful building! I always enjoy seeing old pictures and contrasting them with the way a place looks now.

Unknown said...

I'm thinking shacks in Livorno are very different from shacks here in Canada. :)

You must have a fabulous collection of old photos and postcards!

cieldequimper said...

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!

VP said...

@ Jacob - I don't have a collection but I have scanned some...
You are obviously invited, but the expert on Baracchina is Trillian!

@ Dina - Yes, those are trolley lines.

stromsjo said...

1942 eh? Trying to relax with a cup of something in the midst of war. Makes one think.

Trillian said...

@ Jacob: You welcome! I have spent fifteen years of my life hanging there, so be sure that I know the place very well...

Gunn said...

Interesting, nice and a place I would like to visit.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful place.
They had a very nice homepage too.

Kate said...

I find it so interesting that postcards often have an historical significance, and takes us back to an earlier time. Love collecting them myself.

amatamari© said...

Un gran bel post, grazie davvero: molto interessante questo confronto e bellissima la baracchina rossa!!!
:-)

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Do they put the chairs and tables back on the terrace for the summer? A wonderful old building. The website offers "Free Drinks".
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Wolynski said...

Nothing changes in Livorno, except the people.
What lovely buildings.

Ilse said...

Love these "now & then" posts.

Ilse said...

Love these "now & then" posts.