A hollow anode for a galvanic coating apparatus of the running surfaces of cylinders is provided with a plurality of passages in its top portion. The total area of the passages reduces the surface of the anode by at least 50%, the top portion having a height between 4 and 12 mm. Thus, a decrease in the electrical field at the top of the cylinder is achieved without affecting the deposition in the rest of the cylinder and it is therefore possible to obtain a perfect coating up to the corners of a closed cylinder, while decreasing the deposition on the vault of the combustion chamber. Furthermore, it is also possible to increase the flow rate of the electrolyte through the apparatus thus decreasing coating time and exploiting a greater hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte, which provides a mechanical effect that favors deposition, especially at the corners.