Teatro Comunale (municipal theatre)

This theatre complex overlooks the pedestrianised area of Piazza Verdi facing Cappuccini park. Managed by the Bolzano Municipal Theatre and Concert Hall Foundation, it’s one of South Tyrol’s leading cultural centres. It has been the central hub of Bolzano Danza Festival since the early days, hosting many an opening night and best-selling production. The rest of the year it hosts Bolzano’s Resident Theatre, the Vereinigte Bühnen Bozen German-language theatre company and concerts by the Haydn Orchestra. Designed by famous architect Marco Zanuso, this contemporary architectural gem opened in 1999. The striking exterior features elegant flamed Chiampo marble cladding and sophisticated structured volumes topped with a series of terraces that make it resemble a modern ziggurat. Festival performances are divided between the majestic main hall, a multi-use space accommodating 800 spectators in the stalls and balcony, and the more intimate studio theatre. The latter, which was designed to be a cosy 200-seat chamber theatre, has gradually evolved to allow highly innovative and experimental theatre and dance performances. Finally, some of the performances take place in the spacious rehearsal room above the main hall stage.