PIAZZA REPUBBLICA
The history of Piazza Repubblica
The current Piazza Repubblica has a troubled history: it was born on the initiative of the Municipality as a parade ground linked to the nearby Garibaldi Barracks and cattle market in 1869. The construction of the square involved the demolition of what until then was considered the most beautiful palace in Varese, the fifteenth-century Palazzo Griffi, which became a convent in 1734, and from 1799 for a dozen years also seat of the Teatro Ducale, the oldest theater in Varese. It was later used as accommodation for the military.
With the advent of fascism, the square was renamed Piazza Impero and then assumed
The monument
The monument is dedicated to the Fallen of Varese, to the soldiers who died in "all the wars". It was built by Enrico Butti on 23 May 1923 and inaugurated by Prince Umberto of Savoy by laying the first stone.
It is a majestic work of large dimensions, made of bronze and it is composed of a soldier, a symbol of strength and a horse galloping towards the enemy with a female figure, balanced on the rump of the animal, while offering the soldier a laurel wreath symbolizing glory.
History
The proposal to erect a monument to the fallen of the Great War had been proposed in the City Council on 25 September 1920. The statue was initially to be built in Piazza XX Settembre, in front of the Politeama theatre, but the City Council decided on 2 October of the same year to place the monument in piazza Repubblica. It was always the Committee that raised the necessary funds for its construction, also accepting contributions from the municipality. On 23 March 1940, on the occasion of the birth of the movement of combat bands, the new and gigantic Piazza Impero was inaugurated, where the statue was moved. You can read in the newspapers of the time that it was able to accommodate more than twenty thousand people.
fonte foto : la provincia di Varese
fonte foto : fondazione Piero Portaluppi
Former covered market
The covered market of Varese was built in 1931; the competition announced by the Municipality in 1926 had originally been won by the architect Piero Portaluppi, but the Municipality then actually built the structure designed by the engineer Alliaud for aesthetic but above all economic reasons.
The building was demolished in 1992 and the Apollonio theater stands in its place today.
fonte foto : teatro di varese
Apollonio Theatre
The Varese Theatre, built and completed in 2001, has been named after Mario Apollonio since 2004.
Mario Apollonio (1901-1971) was a famous scholar of theatre history as well as a playwright; he stayed in the province of Varese for many years, fascinated by our lakes.
The theatre was opened in 2002 and is the only theatre in Varese; with its 1,208 seats it is also the largest theatre in the city.