Labin - Little Old Theatre

Labin is a historic town in eastern Istria, a few kilometres from the sea. Its old centre, with narrow streets, stands on a hill above the newer districts.

Among the old town's narrow streets, a small open space reveals the yellow façade of the Little Old Theatre. The nearby bell tower and town houses make the building visible on the approach, but its story is not only about the stage.

A fontik, the municipal grain store dating from 1539, once stood here. Its reserves were intended for times of shortage; in the mid-19th century, the former store was converted into a theatre hall. The new theatre officially opened in 1844, and its façade took on a Neoclassical form.

The hall later hosted some of Labin's first silent-film screenings. The name Malo kazalište, or Teatrino, came into use after a new cinema opened in the 20th century. Among the interior's points of interest is the painted ceiling created by Giovanni Demori in the late 19th century; outside, visitors mainly recognise the compact theatre façade set among old houses.

The story of the grain store adds another layer to the town centre: grain was not merely a commodity but also an emergency reserve for poor harvests. Residents could borrow it in hard times and return it later. Conversion into a theatre therefore marked a pronounced change in the public use of the same space, from provisioning to culture.