The Palazzo del Podestà is a medieval building dating back to 1304, recognized as one of the most striking buildings in the Marche region. It presents a typical architectural style of the late Middle Ages of Romanesque-Gothic breath, as we can read in the epigraph on the first mullioned window on the left.
The history of the palace is studded with various restorations made in modern and contemporary times, including the lowering of the floor of the portico and the elevation of the second floor.

In the 19th century the left wing was implemented. For reasons of symmetry, a restoration of the right wing of the facade was also undertaken, covering it with the same material used in the construction of the opposite wing. The civic tower, which could be accessed independently before 1826, also underwent several changes, losing much of its original form.

The facade has a wide portico with 7 arches, of which the one in the center is pointed, while the other six are round arches.
 In the belfry is the civic bell weighing about two tons, cast in Ripatransone in 1706 by Laureti of Spoltore.

Now the central room of the portico, houses the "Bottega del Vino" (Wine Shop) and typical local products, while to the left is a monument from 1895 dedicated to Ripatransone poet Luigi Mercantini.

In 1790 a project was initiated that sought to transform the second floor into a space used for the Theater on an elongated U-shaped plan, with three tiers of boxes without a gallery. In 1824, although still in the final stages of completion, the citizens of Ripatransone saw the realization of the project with the inauguration of the Municipal Theater with the name "Lion Theater." The painter in charge of decorating the interior of the theater was Luigi Ruffini of Falerone. As a sign of gratitude to art and those who best represented it in Italy, Ruffini painted on the ceiling six medallions representing three theatrical authors, Metastasio, Alfieri and Goldoni; and three world-famous Italian composers: Bellini, Rossini and Verdi. Also contributing to the decoration of the theater was Luigi Ruffini's brother, Giuseppe, who painted the historical curtain depicting the scene of "Virginia ripana" (a bloody event that occurred in 1505).

After several restoration works inside the theater, the historic curtain now serves as the backdrop.
In 1894, the municipal theater was renamed "Luigi Mercantini Theater," as a sign of gratitude to the Marche poet who is also remembered in the monument on the left facade.

It was reopened to the public on April 14, 2012 and has a capacity of about 250 spectators.