Since the 17th century, Bitonto has had a vibrant theatrical tradition. Performances were often held in public buildings like the Episcopal Palace, which hosted wedding celebrations. The galleries and underground olive mills of noble palaces were transformed by skilled decorators into temporary theaters, offering entertainment for the people and animated by local academies specialized in dramatic arts.

In the 1830s, towns and cities began building permanent theaters. In Bitonto, this dream became a reality in 1835, when twenty-one noble families came together to fund the construction of what they envisioned as a “comfortable and well-designed theater for the enjoyment of the public.”

After receiving approval from King Ferdinand II, the organizing committee purchased land along the ancient Habsburg fortifications. Unlike the nearby Pannone–Ferrara Palace, where the city walls were demolished to make way for new construction, the new theater was built by incorporating part of the old walls into its structure. The project was part of a broader wave of urban renewal that reshaped Bitonto in the early 19th century.

Construction required an investment of 8,500 ducats.

The theater’s front is divided into two levels. The ground floor features smooth stonework, while the upper floor is coated to resemble stone blocks. Initially, niches between the windows held busts of famous composers—now lost. The remaining medallions depict four of the greatest names in theatrical Italian literature.

Though small in size, the theater followed the traditional Italian layout. It featured three tiers of private boxes (reserved for the noble founding families), a gallery, a main floor, and a generously sized stage.

In 1950, the building was converted into a cinema. Over the years, it was gradually abandoned, and in the 1970s, heavy rains and water damage caused the roof to collapse, destroying the interior.

At the end of the 20th century, the City of Bitonto purchased the building. After a long and careful restoration, it was officially reopened on April 16, 2005—exactly 167 years after its original inauguration—with a performance of The Wandering Knight. On that occasion, the City Council formally renamed it after Bitonto’s most celebrated composer, Tommaso Traetta, sealing the deep connection between the city and its theatrical heritage.