The Teatro Olimpico (Olympic Theatre) in Vicenza is the oldest surviving Renaissance theatre in the world. It is also thought to be the world’s oldest indoor theatre. If that was not enough to whet your appetite to make a visit, the theatre is also the final work of renowned Italian architect Andrea Palladio.
The influential architect returned to what is his hometown in 1579 where he was commissioned to design what was the first purpose-built theatre in Europe in more than a millennium. However, he died in 1580 before he could see his last great masterpiece completed. His designs were based on classical ideas, although his death meant that Venetian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi took over the project, and Scamozzi had to design parts of the stage himself.
The theatre is remarkable because it is not a reconstruction but a structure that has survived centuries intact. Palladio designed the elliptical seating area to mimic that used by the ancients and his revival of the style was groundbreaking. However, it is perhaps Scamozzi’s rustic entrance arch, and breathtaking trompe-l’oeil wood and plaster stage scenery that are most interesting to the modern viewer. Created to represent the city of Thebes, the delicate stage set includes statuary, paintings, columns, alcoves and arches aligned to create various perspectives of the city, resulting in a set equal in beauty to any artwork.
The Teatro Olimpico is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday all year round and admission costs €6.50. The theatre is still in use for classic operas, concerts and plays, but not in the winter because the fragile nature of the theatre’s wooden and stucco structure makes it unviable to install a heating system. In May and June it is possible to attend performances of operas for a reasonable price – tickets range from €10 to €70 a head.
Where: Teatro Olimpico, Piazza Matteotti 11, 36100 Vicenza, Veneto
Website: https://www.olimpico.vicenza.it/en
