It seems I'm the first lucky person to have managed to step inside one of the theaters included in this proposal and write a review about my visit. And I have visited not just any theater, but the Teatro Angelo Mariani in Sant'Agata Feltria, which boasts the title of the oldest wooden theater in all of Italy.

Sant'Agata Feltria is a small town near San Marino. The distance from Florence is only 120 kilometers, but the incredibly winding road through the Apennine Mountains takes over two and a half hours. The nearest larger city, Rimini, is approximately 50 kilometers and an hour's drive away. In the 18th century, when the theater was built, these distances were considerable. Historically, Sant'Agata Feltria was located in the Marche region, but in 2006, following a referendum, it was placed in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is therefore no mistake that the Teatro Angelo Mariani is included on the list of theaters placed at Italian Tentative List as "Historic Theatres of the Marche Region." Interestingly, this theater was not included in the original 2021 TWHS, but was added in 2025 as part of the official candidacy for consideration for inscription in 2026.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, in towns like Sant'Agata Feltria, as a result of the activities of so-called condominio (associations of the town's wealthiest citizens), local theaters were built in central locations. Owning such a theater was apparently a testament to the town's prestige and the wealth of its residents. In Sant'Agata Feltria, construction of a theater began as early as 1723, and when it was completed, the wealthiest families squabbled over the best boxes. To end the disputes, an annual lottery was held – the last one took place in 1969!

The theater is named after the renowned conductor Angelo Mariani, who came to Sant'Agata Feltria in 1841 at the age of twenty and conducted the local orchestra for two years before launching his illustrious international career.

The theater itself is incredibly charming and very well-maintained. Although it only seats about 130 people, including the boxes, it is a fully-fledged theater with a large stage, backstage areas, and everything a proper theater should have. The beautifully decorated ceiling is a highlight.

According to the official website, Teatro Angelo Mariani is open daily except Mondays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. However, we visited it during a special holiday – the White Truffle Festival, held over five autumn Sundays in Sant'Agata Feltria. There were probably more people in the city center than there are residents. The theater was open all day, no tickets were required, and visitors could even enter the stage.

In summary, I really like the idea of this nomination. Theaters, usually associated with larger cities, have been the center of even very small communities in Italy, which is noteworthy in itself. If the other 18 candidates are as delightful as the Teatro Angelo Mariani, they undoubtedly deserve to be included on the list.