Teatro Politeama, Genova

In 1821 the architect Carlo Barabino designed a large urban park, Acquasola, on the edge of the Genoese town. Four years later, at the edge of the park, a wooden theater was built to complete the fun of the "roller coaster". In 1832 the theater - baptized Diurnal because it was opened only during the day - was rebuilt: an arena capable of three thousand seats. After 1850 the area, like most of the hilly areas of Genoa, was subject to intense urbanization. The theater was also involved in the change: purchased by the Chiarella brothers, it was completely rebuilt in 1870 to a design by the architect Nicolò Bruno. Four years later he was finally given a roof. In 1932 an intervention by the architect Mario Labò considerably transformed the theater which - like almost all the Genoese places of entertainment - was destroyed by British bombing in World War II. Rebuilt in 1955 to a design by Dante Datta in the grounds of a modern building, the Politeama Genovese became the main hall of the Teatro Stabile di Genova in 1936. Since 1994 the Politeama Genovese has been purchased and managed by Politeama Spa.