Rotonda a Mare, Heritage building in Senigallia, Italy

Rotonda a Mare is a central-plan pavilion on a shell-shaped platform about 3 metres above the water, reached from land by an 80-metre pier 5 metres wide. A circular hall roughly 16 metres across, ringed by columns and walls, opens onto two opposite apses; two quarter-circle restaurant rooms sit on the diagonals. A flat-roofed peristyle and a terrace about 5 metres up surround a low dome.

The first structure was a wooden platform on stilts designed by Vincenzo Ghinelli in 1850 and enlarged in 1865; in 1910 it passed to private owners linked to the Hotel Bagni. After World War I destroyed it, the engineer Cardelli's project was approved on 27 May 1932, built about 200 metres north at the mouth of the city avenue. A 1992 fire led to restoration, and a 2,560,202-euro investment reopened it in 2006.

Today it functions as an exhibition and event space hosting concerts and art shows, particularly during summer months. Visitors experience cultural activities that connect seaside life with contemporary artistic expression.

The venue is easy to reach and offers accessibility features for visitors with mobility needs. Check ahead for current events or exhibitions to make the most of your visit.

A complete restoration in 2006 transformed it from a former bathhouse into a contemporary cultural hub. This conversion shows how seaside structures can find new purpose while keeping their original architectural character.