The first stone of Dante Alighieri Theatre was laid in September 1840, when the city decided to build a new structure rather than restoring the old “Comunicativo” theatre. The new building was then erected in a marginal, decaying, though central area of Ravenna: the so-called Piazzetta degli Svizzeri (now Piazza Garibaldi).
The construction of the theatre was entrusted by the Deputation to the Venetian brothers Tommaso and Giambattista Meduna (respectively engineer and architect), previously involved in the second restoration of the Fenice Theatre in Venice.
During the inauguration night on 15th May 1852, the new theatre Alighieri was recognized as one of the best equipped theatres in Italy.