Villa Letizia

This is a view from the roof terrace of “Villa Letizia” toward the hills southeast of Livorno. The first tower is the old reservoir of the villa, the bell tower in the middle of the picture belongs to the church of Saint Simon, in “Ardenza Terra”. Near the top of the hills we can see Montenero and its Sanctuary. The strange address of the villa is “Via dei Pensieri”, or Street of Thoughts.The villa was built in the first years of 18th Century amidst a huge park. It was completed in 1873 by a new owner, David Bondi, who restored the villa and built the reservoir tower.In the last years of the 19th Century the “Ippodromo” (racetrack) was built in northern part of the park.
Now the main building is an educational facility with an off-campus degree course of the University of Pisa. Computer related training courses are hold here quite often.On the southern end of the park, where the main entrance once was, the original “belvedere”, is wrapped in scaffolding. From up there they could see the sea just across the avenue that is now “Viale Italia”.

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Theme Day: Best of 2009

Last May, during the spectacular closing ceremony of the TAN (Naval Academy Trophy), the band of the Navy was playing in the “Gazebo” a selection of not very martial tunes, while sails of any size and description crowded the waters in front of the “Terrazza Mascagni”.

See also: Ciao! - End of TAN

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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Ugly Corner

I didn't forget my Sunday walk but it was very brisk one. While it was raining I was able to catch a couple of snaps of this ugliness behind the Coin department store, in “Piazza Attias”.In the second image, you can see in background the church of “Santa Maria del Soccorso” in “Piazza della Vittoria”.

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Near a Castle

After miniature castles and Moorish mansions, the last “palazzina” of this block has a quite normal and elegant look.Most of the pictures posted these days were taken on the “surfers” Saturday, as you can see from the ominous sky, along with some archive images. It has been raining almost daily since, and fresh photos are difficult to get.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Sideways - Twins - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair

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Hotel Gennarino

We have already shown you a five star and a four star hotel, just in case you happen to be in Livorno. Here is a relatively more modest choice, the three star “Hotel Gennarino”.Definitely a small castle, this building is obviously part of the series on “Viale Italia”.The hotel is just opposite the “Accademia Navale”, within walking distance of several “bagni” (beach resorts).

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Moorish Mansion - Near a Castle - Sideways - Twins - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair
Grand Hotel Palazzo - Hotel Gran Duca

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Moorish Mansion

When I said “last turret” it was only in merely topographic terms, because there are still several villas to be seen on “Viale Italia”.It is definitely in Moorish style and, as any other villas in this place, it was built in the 1930s.The turret is quite elegant and the whole thing is perfectly kept.I'm afraid you'll have to expect few more of these fancy buildings in the next days.

See also: Viale Italia - The Last Turret - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Sideways - Twins - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair

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The Last Turret

At the southernmost end of the villas along “Viale Italia” we have this peculiar building: its turret is not high, but absolutely typical.This last villa borders on the trees around the “Caprilli” racetrack.A detail of the top of the turret and an exotic shaped window, quite at odds with the modern rolling shutter.

See also: Viale Italia - Moorish Mansion - Hotel Gennarino - Near a Castle - Sideways - Twins - Pergola Turrets - The Final Pair

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