The cultural center of Cattolica and Piazza della Repubblica

The multi-cultural centre project, situated in Republic Square dates back to the second half of the 70s. The project design by the Bolognese architect Pierluigi Cervallati presented a semi-circular porticoed crown, that has its centre placed at the intersection of a double axis. The first quarter of the structure is the site of the council library, followed by the Regina theatre, then the rest of the building that surrounds the enormous square is for public use. Entry to the library is free and is open every work day from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

The library contains about 22,000 volumes mainly in the Italian language, the periodical section is a valuable resource because it contains more than 250 features and collections. Another nucleus of documents for public use, is represented by the Graphic Fund, which collects Italian and foreign posters from the 70s up to the present day. The photographic archive is also interesting, holding at the last count about 6,000 pictures of the area, from 1870s to the 1950s. The building also has available, a modern-multi media facility which contains audio, video, C.D.s and the internet. There are 5 multi-media positions and 16 individual audio visual posts. Currently they have about 3683 video cassettes (films, documentaries, theatre, conferences and seminars), 800 L.Ps (classical music and jazz) 733 C.D.s 782 audio cassettes 139 C.D. Roms (encyclopedias, dictionaries, language courses, art, Italian law, national bibliography and periodicals).

Among the special interests of the library, the semi-literary, should be singled out, developed alongside Myfest (The Thriller and Mystery International Festival, initiated in 1981 on the ashes of the literary prize of the great thriller of the town of Cattolica): it includes manuscripts and detective novels, essays and magazines and comics and it is continually growing. The multi-cultural centre looks onto a great circular agora, which has a large well equipped stage that hosts prestigious shows and concerts for the town of Cattolica. Fountains, water displays and blossoming flower beds are the backdrop onto which the Regina Arena opens up, and it can hold more than 4,000 spectators. Beneath the square there is a large underground car-park with spaces for about 300 cars, allowing you to reach on foot the most interesting parts of Cattolica.