Miniguide to the Italian Route of Historic Theatres

Theatre has been a fundamental part of European culture for more than 2500 years. Linked to both tradition and innovation, theatre has a way of reflecting a country's culture that is unique and inimitable. The architectural form of modern theatres was developed in Italy during the Renaissance and, following this route, you'll be able to observe the evolution of theatre from the 17th century to the present day.

Several European routes of historic theatre were developed in 2007 by the association Perspectiv to protect their cultural heritage. You can find them all here.

Now let's see the 8 best theatres on this route:

1 - Olympic Theatre in Vicenza | official website | opening hours tue-sun 9am-5pm | tickets cost 11€ |

Our itinerary begins in Veneto, more precisely in Vicenza, a city that flourished during the Renaissance mostly thanks to the works of the architect Andrea Palladio, whose masterpiece is the Olympic Theatre: the first and the most ancient theatre of the Modern era. Commissioned by the Accademia Olimpica, it was inaugurated in 1585 with Sophocles' Oedipus the Tyrant. 95 statues adorn the inside of the theatre. The main stage, inspired by a Roman open-air theatre, is structured in three main arches, under which you can see the streets of Tebes, a scenography built for the first performance ever held.

2 - Teatro all'antica in Sabbioneta | official website | opening hours 9.30am-1.30pm 2.30pm-7pm | buy tickets at the Tourist InfoPoint, they cost 5€ |

Let's move on to Lombardy, where Sabbioneta was founded in the 16th century by Vespasiano Gonzaga as his fortress. The city soon became a renowned musical center and the Teatro all'antica - Ancient style theatre - was built between 1588 and 1560. It was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, who also took part in the construction of Vicenza's Olympic Theatre. It was the first free-standing building to be conceived with the purpose of a theatre in mind. Scamozzi added various innovative elements like the diversified entry system and the dressing rooms.

3 - Teatro Farnese in Parma | official website | opening hours tue-sat 8.30am-7pm sun 1pm-7pm | tickets cost 10€ and allow access also to Palazzo della Pilotta museums |

The Teatro Farnese was built in 1618 on the design of Giovan Battista Aleotti inside Palazzo della Pilotta. Ranucci I, Duke of Parma, commissioned as a celebration for Cosimo Medici, but he never showed up, so it wasn't inaugurated until ten years later. It was dedicated to Bellona, the goddess of war, and was destined for performances that were a mixture of opera and fighting.

4 - Teatro Scientifico in Mantua | official website | opening hours tue-fri 10am-1pm 3pm-6pm sat-sun 10am-6pm | tickets cost 3€ |

The Scientific Theatre was built by Antonio Bibbiena in 1769 under the commission of the Accademia dei Timidi, a musical society that wanted to teach music as an instrument of knowledge. The Academy wanted a place to hold scientific and musical discussions. A month and a half after the initial inauguration a 16 year-old Mozart played a concert here.

5 - Teatro Comunale in Bologna | official website | guided tours only, book them here |

Built a few years before the Scientific Theatre by the same architect, Antonio Bibbiena. Inaugurated in 1763 with an opera written by Metastasio, its construction was financed with a public fund. In 1931 Toscanini was meant to direct an opera here but he refused to play the fascist anthem "Giovinezza" and afterwards he was attacked by the Blackshirts, an episode that made him decide to leave Italy. The auditorium is equipped with a peculiar wooden machine able to lift the floor to the stage level.

6 - Teatro di Villa Mazzacorati in Bologna | official website | guided tours only, book them here |

Villa Mazzacorati is a neoclassical villa that belonged to Count Gianfrancesco Aldrovandi, who wanted the addition of a private theatre that he opened in 1763. This petite 80-seats theatre is famous for its perfect acoustics. The four sculptures in the auditorium all have an empty basket that was meant to be filled with fruits, flowers and lanterns. The walls are frescoed with images of cherubs and flower garlands to give the impression of a blooming garden. Sadly, the villa is now a local health department but the theatre is still active and can be visited.

7 - Teatro Angelo Masini in Faenza | official website | send an email to teatromasini@accademiaperduta.it to book a tour |

In 1780 the Accademia dei Rimoti asked architect Giuseppe Pistocchi to build a new theatre for the city. Built in a neoclassical style, the main auditorium reminds of an open-air theatre. It is connected to the nearby Palazzo Manfredi thanks to the Galleria dei Cento Pacifici, decorated in its entirety with the use of the trompe l'oeil technique.

8 - Teatro Alessandro Bonci in Cesena | official website | send an email to info@teatrobonci.it to book a tour |

Our journey ends in Romagna, in Cesena's historical centre. Designed by Vincenzo Ghinelli, it was opened in 1846 with an opera by Gaetano Donizzetti. However, the theatre lived its golden era from 1952 to 1968, selling out at every performance. The original chandelier and stage curtains are still used today. On the roof of the auditorium there are four paintings representing four scenes from Dante's Divine Comedy alternated with the figures of four muses: Euterpe, Melpomene, Erato and Calliope.