Piazza XV Marzo e Teatro Rendano
كوزنتسا
The monumental heart of old Cosenza, Piazza XV Marzo brings together the Teatro Rendano, the Accademia Cosentina and a statue dedicated to freedom of thought. This is where the city has celebrated its Risorgimento and its culture. Step into the square and listen for the echo of the music drifting out of Calabria's best-loved theatre.
The story of Piazza XV Marzo
The square, named after 15 March 1844 in memory of Cosenza's Risorgimento uprisings and of the Bandiera brothers, is the monumental drawing room of the historic centre. It is overlooked by buildings of great civic and cultural importance, including the Palazzo del Governo and the Accademia Cosentina, one of the oldest academies in Italy.
What to see
The star of the square is the Teatro Rendano, named after the Cosenza-born composer Alfonso Rendano, inaugurated in 1909 and, after war damage, reopened in 1967. It is Calabria's leading theatre, home to prestigious opera seasons. In the centre of the square stands the statue of Bernardino Telesio, Cosenza's great 16th-century natural philosopher, and close by lies the villa comunale, the public garden.
Curiosities and legends
Bernardino Telesio, born in Cosenza, was an innovative thinker who anticipated the method of observing nature and influenced figures such as Bacon and Campanella. The Teatro Rendano was destroyed during the Second World War and faithfully rebuilt, becoming once again the hub of the city's musical life.
How to visit
The square is in the heart of old Cosenza, reached on foot by walking up from the modern centre. It is an open space, always accessible; for the Teatro Rendano it is worth checking the calendar of shows and guided tours. A stage rich in history for your treasure map.
