Teatro Regio

The architect Nicola Bettoli, commissioned by the duchess Maria Luigia, designed and built a Ducal Theater in the years 1821-29 on the area where the ancient monastery of Sant'Alessandro (9th century) once stood, and which was suppressed during the Napoleonic era. The Teatro Ducale then became the Teatro Regio from 1848.

The facade was designed in neoclassical style, while the interior with audience stalls in an elliptical shape expands vertically on four orders of boxes plus a large gallery. The grand room was decorated, as was the proscenium, by Girolamo Magnani in white and gold. In 1853 he replaced the original decorations in chiaroscuro, carried out under the direction of Paolo Toschi and Bettoli.

The ceiling and the curtain are the work of Gian Battista Borghesi. Il Ridotto (the smaller theater), made up of a large salon and other rooms, was painted and decorated by various artists from Parma.

Teatro Regio is active and on some days is open to tourists.