Olympic Theatre
Visit the oldest permanent indoor theatre of the modern era
One of the most celebrated works by Andrea Palladio is undoubtedly the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. As well as its beauty and grandeur, it is also famous for being the first permanent indoor theatre of the modern era.
Its history
In 1580, the cultural institution known as the Accademia Olimpica in Vicenza commissioned the great master Palladio to design a permanent theatre to stage classical comedies.
The master died in 1580, but he managed to complete the design for the great Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, which was finished and inaugurated in 1585 with a performance of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex.
More authentic Renaissance scenes
As for the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, there is a truly unique case to report: the original wooden stage sets created in the late 16th century have survived to this day, having escaped the dangers of bombing and fire.
In fact, upon the theatre’s completion, there was a need to construct a proscenium stage to ensure the best possible staging of the plays. For this purpose, the second most important architect from Vicenza, following the death of Palladio, was commissioned: Vincenzo Scamozzi.
Indeed, those wooden proscenium stages created by Scamozzi can still be found in the theatre today.
The Olympic Theatre today
The Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza still fulfils the original purpose for which it was built over four centuries ago: to host performances. Even today, concerts, plays and classical performances are held there. However, these are usually staged during the milder seasons, as for reasons relating to its proper preservation, the Teatro Olimpico has never been fitted with heating.
