Description
The Centro Salvador Allende is the cultural center inside La Spezia's Giardini Pubblici, along Viale Mazzini: art exhibitions, lectures, concerts and, in summer, the open-air arena of the Pinetina. But it was born for dancing.
In the 1930s there was a summer dance hall here, the most elegant meeting place in town. After World War II the architect Franco Oliva designed the new venue, La Pineta, with interior decorations by the painter Badellino and a café-concert outside.
After a long period of neglect, in the 1970s the hall was divided and given a mezzanine to become the city's first municipal art gallery, and it was named after the Chilean president who died in the 1973 coup. Roberto Matta and Folon, among others, have exhibited here; today the Foyer is devoted mainly to emerging artists.
In the 1930s there was a summer dance hall here, the most elegant meeting place in town. After World War II the architect Franco Oliva designed the new venue, La Pineta, with interior decorations by the painter Badellino and a café-concert outside.
After a long period of neglect, in the 1970s the hall was divided and given a mezzanine to become the city's first municipal art gallery, and it was named after the Chilean president who died in the 1973 coup. Roberto Matta and Folon, among others, have exhibited here; today the Foyer is devoted mainly to emerging artists.