Discovering the Ligurian Riviera
Visit to the Ariston Theater in San Remo: the history, the Festival and the secrets of the stage
January 31, 2024
In the beating heart of the city of San Remo, the Ariston Theater represents not only an architectural landmark but also a cultural symbol of national significance. Primarily famous for hosting the renowned Sanremo Festival, a highlight event in the Italian music scene, this theater has spanned decades of history, continually evolving while maintaining an unbreakable bond with the traditions of the Ligurian city. Its façade, rising imposingly among the streets of San Remo, invites residents and tourists alike to discover the magic that takes place within its walls, where art, music and culture come together in a unique experience.
Visit the Ariston Theater for a unique cultural experience in the city of flowers.
How to book a visit to the Ariston Theater
To book a visit to the Ariston Theater, I recommend relying on the official website of the Ariston Theater. Visits to the theater are available during most of the year, with the exception of the period when the Sanremo Festival is held, roughly from mid-December to mid-March, a time when the theater is reserved for RAI events.
How to get there and where to park
The Ariston Theater is located at 107 Via Matteotti, in the center of Sanremo. For those arriving by car, Sanremo is easily accessible via the A10 highway. Near the theater is the convenient Palafiori underground parking lot. Alternatively, you can use public transportation, with train and bus connections serving the city.
San Remo is also well connected to the seaside resorts of western Liguria. For those looking for nearby lodging, we suggest considering our vacation apartments in Diano Marina: perfect for those wishing to experience the seaside resorts, a short distance from San Remo.
The History of the Ariston Theater
The Ariston Theater in San Remo, opened in 1963, represents an important chapter in the city's cultural history. It dates back to the 1950s, when Commendatore Aristide Vacchino purchased the land on which the theater was built. The construction process has seen the theater evolve into a structure that, over the years, has become a landmark in the artistic and cultural scene, not only for San Remo but for all of Italy. Its importance has been further recognized through its association with the Sanremo Festival, an event that has helped solidify its status as a cultural icon.
The Sanremo Festival
The Ariston Theater is closely linked to the Sanremo Festival, a connection that began in 1977, when the Festival began using the theater as its main venue. This partnership has had a significant impact on the notoriety of the Ariston Theater, as the Italian Song Festival has become one of the most recognized musical events not only in our country, but also abroad.
The guided tour of the Ariston Theater in San Remo
The guided tour of the Ariston Theater lasts approximately 1 hour and begins at the main entrance of the theater. During the tour, participants are generally divided into groups of 10-12 people, perfect for best appreciating the tour.
The tour takes visitors to the top floor, known as the "Roof," where there are several movie theaters used for showing films. Not many people know, in fact, that although the Ariston Theater is mainly famous for hosting the Sanremo Festival, it actually also offers spaces dedicated to cinema and hosts numerous theatrical performances throughout the year.
The Roof
The tour of the guided tour of the Ariston Theater kicks off from the striking Roof, with its vantage point overlooking both the structure of the theater and the picturesque Piazza Colombo. Here, visitors are greeted by photographic posters celebrating the Premio Tenco, dedicated to Italian songwriting, with insights into the history of Luigi Tenco, a prominent figure in the Italian music scene. This prestigious event is held regularly at the Ariston Theater, but at a different time than the Sanremo Festival. You can also view images related to the famous Sanremo Festival.
The dressing rooms and makeup room
The tour continues with a visit to the dressing rooms of the Ariston Theater and the makeup room, revealing surprising aspects. Contrary to the common idea of luxurious spaces dedicated to stars, the dressing rooms of the Ariston turn out to be extremely sober and modest. Even those intended for international celebrities are simple and uncluttered. This simplicity offers an interesting perspective on television production, showing that sometimes the image of grandiosity conveyed by television can differ greatly from reality.
The gallery
A fascinating stop on the tour is a visit to the Ariston's gallery, where it is possible to take photographs and watch video projections.
Among the projections offered, we find one dedicated to the winners of the Sanremo Festival from 1951 to the present. This video offers an overview spanning more than 70 years of Italian musical history. It shows the evolution of musical taste and music itself over time, highlighting how slowly but surely musical trends have changed.
You can then watch a hyperlapse of the construction of the Sanremo Festival Stage. This projection highlights the relentless work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare the kermesse stage, with a look at the teams of entertainment workers who work tirelessly to ensure the success of the event.
Sanremo festival stage video
The gallery provides a unique perspective on the perceived size of the Ariston Theater when broadcast on television. Despite its smaller than expected size, the Ariston Theater remains a place of undoubted charm.
The stalls
The final part of the tour is devoted to visiting the stalls of the Ariston Theater, where the grandeur and majesty of the marbles and structures at the entrance is evident. This element provides a pleasant surprise for the eyes, and allows one to appreciate the attention to detail and solid architectural structure of the theater.
The visit to the Ariston Theater thus ends fairly quickly, which is why we strongly recommend considering it as part of a larger itinerary, which might include a visit to downtown San Remo and the charming Pigna district.
Listen to all podcasts published on our official channels:
