Theatro Treze de Maio, Cultural heritage theatre in Santa Maria, Brazil

The Theatro Treze de Maio is an old theatre on Saldanha Marinho Square, in the centre of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. The building is listed by the municipality and was included in 2013 in the Complexo Histórico-Cultural Professora Águeda Brazzale Leal. Its stage reopened in 1996 with a lyric recital by soprano Anna Maria Kliemann.

The project began around 1880 with the Sociedade Dramática Phoenix Familiar, whose share sale and land purchase fell short. In 1888 João Daudt Filho took over the land and shares, and the Associação Treze de Maio was formalised on 27 January 1889, named for the abolition of slavery of 13 May 1888. Performances were already held in December 1889; the city bought the building in 1913 and it closed in December 1915, housing the Diário do Interior newspaper for decades.

The name honours the abolition of slavery on 13 May 1888, and the theatre keeps a Livro de Ouro recording its benefactors and people who played a notable role in its activities; a study by Naiara Azzolin used these entries to show the institution's importance to the community. The first play after the restoration, on 30 May 1997, was Cenas de um Casamento with Tony Ramos and Regina Braga.

The theatre faces Saldanha Marinho Square in the city centre, inside the Professora Águeda Brazzale Leal Historical-Cultural Complex. It is a municipal heritage building, so interior access depends on the performance programme and on prior arrangement with the administration. Look for the Golden Book kept to record benefactors and guests.

The theater maintains a Golden Book recording the names of benefactors and individuals who contributed to its cultural activities over the years. This special register shows the connection between the building and the local community.