Teatro Amintore Galli (Amintore Galli Theatre), Rimini

The Amintore Galli Theatre, originally named Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II until 1947, stands as the cultural centerpiece of Rimini. Inaugurated in 1857, the theater was designed in neoclassical style by Luigi Poletti, one of Italy’s renowned architects. The project, intended to replace the aging Buonarroti Theatre and an even older wooden theater from 1681, was envisioned as a monumental backdrop to Cavour Square (Piazza Cavour), overlooking Castel Sismondo at the rear.

The theater boasts an Ionic-columned portico leading to a foyer with three spacious rooms and a loggia overlooking Piazza Cavour. The main hall originally featured 71 ornate boxes seating up to 1,400 and showcased Poletti's innovative design, including varied box sizes and an impressive second tier without a royal box. While the exterior is simple, the interiors were richly adorned, with a stage curtain by Francesco Coghetti depicting Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon and stage designs by Michele Agli.

The theater suffered significant damage over the years. The 1916 earthquake forced restoration efforts, and the building reopened in 1923. However, Allied bombing in December 1943 during World War II devastated 90% of the structure, leaving only the façade and parts of the foyer intact. Post-war looting and demolition further degraded the site, reducing it to a warehouse and later a gym.

Restoration efforts began in the 1950s but faced delays and controversy, with modernist redesigns later rejected in favor of restoring Poletti’s original vision. A project by Pier Luigi Cervellati gained funding in 2004, and reconstruction started in 2014. During the rebuild, archaeological finds like Roman domus and medieval remains led to the creation of a museum beneath the theater, including a multimedia tribute to Giuseppe Verdi.

The theater reopened on October 28, 2018, with a semi-staged performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola, featuring Cecilia Bartoli and Les Musiciens du Prince. Today, it stands as both a cultural venue and a symbol of resilience, blending historic charm with modern innovation, and continues to captivate audiences with its rich heritage and artistic spirit.