The Baracchina Rossa on the Ardenza seafront is the characteristic meeting place of Livornese of all ages. Born under the name of Chalet Alhambra at the end of the nineteenth century, it allowed passers-by to quench their thirst with beers, wine or spirits. In 1932 it was renovated by the owner Angiolo Berti and enlarged at the rear, taking on an appearance similar to the current one and becoming a fashionable place also frequented by famous poets, painters, musicians and sportsmen: people came here to meet with friends and enjoy ice creams , coffee or liqueurs at the outdoor tables or in the room on the ground floor, or to play cards on the upper floor.
The structure of the Baracchina Rossa takes up the architectural motifs of the Villa Basilica, especially in the façade; and it is no coincidence: the project was the work of Fosco Cioni, designer of the characteristic eclectic villas in front of the Naval Academy, on behalf of the owner of Villa Basilica, Commendatore Valaperti.
image n.3 is by Andrea Dani