The development of most bathing establishments, restaurants and cafés in Viareggio began in 1902 when the Viale Regina Margherita was inaugurated. They were built in Liberty style following the trend of the epoch using an easy-to-model material such as wood, which was suitable for building but required constant maintenance. Unfortunately a great part of the original architecture decorating the entrances of cafés, shops and bathing establishments was lost in a big fire that broke out in 1917. However, construction work began immediately afterwards availing itself of the collaboration of architects such as Galileo Chini, Alfredo Belluomini and Ugo Giusti. In a few years` time the town was provided with the typical characteristics of the Twenties and Thirties with a style that ranged from Liberty to Art Deco, recognizable still today in the facades and architectures of many buildings.
Among them is the well-preserved Cinema Savoia and, next to it, the Cinema Teatro Eden, both located along the Viale Margherita. A little further on is the building of the Magazzini Duilio 48 (a small department store), abounding in stylistic details recalling Liberty style.
Then, the Cafe Margherita - the ancient artists` meeting place - with its colourful oriental-style cupolas, a perfect expression of Liberty style, achieved through close collaboration between the architects Chini and Belluomini. Further on, you can admire the entrance of the Balena club, with the typical bathing architecture dating to the same epoch.
Furthermore, you can enjoy visiting a wide number of historic hotels from the beginning of 1900, achieved through the partnership between Belluomini and Chini, such as Hotel Plaza, Hotel Liberty, Grand Hotel Royal, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Villa Tina and the Principe di Piemonte, reflecting a range of architectural tendencies of the epoch.
The lines and decorations of Liberty style are also evident in the many residential buildings such as the "villini" lining the coast from Viareggio to Forte dei Marmi. ... from "Versilia" (Versilia Toscana Italia)