debo-ro
This theatre was just awesome. There is not much to do but sit inside on the wooden bleachers and marvel at the painted sky, like Venetian in Vegas, but to think this thing is so old is amazing. Would have loved to have a guided tour.
Russollini
Gorgeous, and worth the stop. The ticket is good at all the museums in the city. It was amazing to see an original set from the first play!!
HilaryKeatts
Beautiful historic building in downtown. Not far from the main square which is filled with great coffee shops, restaurants, shopping and gelaterias. Worth visiting in Vicenza. Doesn't take more than an hour to visit.
Steven_Decelle
Part of my family lives abroad and this is one of the few places I show them while I play tour guide. I visit this place at least twice every year and every time I find something new that amazes me. The ticket includes entrance to other museums and if you want tot visit only the theatre it can be a little pricy, still worth it though.
Pannacotta1972
One of the most magical theatres in the world. Please make a stop here if you are in town! It's the first open air theatres that was covered later. The first! That's just amazing!
CindySanzotta
This was such a tucked away little treasure... from the outside it didn't look like much but once inside and following the path to see the main stage, this theater is amazing. Take the time to read about the first night's performance, the play, the actors, the costumes, the locals. Then step into the amazing theater resplendent with fabulous statuary but more stunning the actual stage set. It is equal to anything I have seen at the Met or the Kennedy Center and it was built in the 1500S! Buy your museum card for Vicenza and see this Theater first. You will not be disappointed.
Marco_Batalha
Knowing Teatro Olimpico was among the main architectural Palladian masterpieces, we booked our tickets online prior to visiting Vicenza (€11). However, the more affordable option is to buy the Museum card (€15), which gives one access to the theatre and six other museums. Since we booked for the first time slot, at 09:00, we had the theatre all to ourselves. What makes this theatre so special, along with its unique style, is that, dating from the 16th century, it is the oldest surviving indoor theatre in the world. Unfortunately, Palladio didn't live long enough to see his dream design fulfilled, and the construction was continued by his son and, later, by Vicenzo Scamozzi. The designing blend of the architects resulted in a theatre with a Roman structure and a triumphal arch scene with seven streets representing the city of Thebes. Being the only ones there, we were able to take some beautiful pictures and contemplate on the beauty and grandeur of its style, the beautifully painted sky, and the streets with the amazing scenes. We finished up our visit with the theatre shop, with many Palladio-related items, and the wonderful garden, with the lapidarium and several sculptures. Seeing this architectural beauty was an amazing experience for us and there is no doubt as to why it is a Unesco heritage site.
cindylou45
Although we were limited to visiting the theatre, the Teatro Olimico was one of the highlights of our Italian trip. The three of us who visited thought that the ticket price was well worth seeing the amazing design, with its attention to perspective and detail. The advice from another reviewer about sitting on the steps to absorb to sense of the theatre is wise. We enjoyed the gardens, bleak though they are in winter. The small 4 euro booklet sold at the theatre shop provides valuable information and photographs so the experience can be relived and savoured. Again, this attraction is really worthwhile.
JuergenWDobler
The Teatro is not big, but the approach to the Teatro is complimented with interesting information about the theatre and the first performances. One will have the true reward when entering the theatre proper. The stage set is marvelous and the streets leading of the back seem to lead far into the distance. The perspective is perfect and one needs to spend some time sitting on the higher wooden steps to absorb the design of the theatre.The ticket for the Teatro Olimpico is a little pricy at EUR 11, but with another EUR 4 one can purchase a combined ticket for a total of eight attractions valid for 7 days, which is a bargain.
TracyE833
Even with a few hours in Vicenza I was glad I purchased the 15€ Museum card which allowed me to visit the fabulous Teatro Olimpico (just the theatre 11€), visit the small but impressive Palazzo Chiericati (don't skip the Collection Roi on the top floor with illustrations from Tiepolo to John Singer Sargent) and see the altarpieces at the Tempio Santa Corona. More sites are included but that was all I managed in my brief time. This town should be higher on the tourism list but then I would have to share it with hordes!
cptbomber
Small theater , very interesting to see the preserved statues from Roman times. Enjoyed walking through the theater, can't wait to see an actual performance.
archgal
This is an amazing theater. It is actually the set design perspective recreation of idealized street scenes that steels the show. Very worthwhile seeing.
tombantle
The Teatro Olimpico is the home of Vicenza's Olympic Academy, founded in 1555 to promote the arts and sciences. One of the founding members was Andrea Palladio who designed a temporary stage in 1558. This permanent theater was his last architectural project before his death in 1580. Palladio used an existing fort and prison and built the theatre and the adjacent Odeon room used for lectures within those existing structures.The courtyard within the old fort is dotted with antique sculptures donated by the members of the Academy. The Odeon is decorated with images of the gods of Mount Olympus. The Aneodeon has a shop.The main attraction is the wooden theatre with amphitheater seating and an elaborate permanent proscenium designed like a triumphal arch, all designed by Palladio. After Palladio's death, Vincenzo Scamozzi built the still extant set of the Greek city of Thebes with false perspectives in five directions.Photography without flash is permitted.The day after our tour, we were able to attend a performance of Baroque music in the auditorium and discovered it still has excellent acoustics.
DonPaulo
Palladio knew his Roman architecture and reproduced in exquisite detail. The proportions, the detail and the atmosphere are right on. While I have seen many original Roman theaters, this reproduction delivers it in living color. Beautiful!
Agi94
I have had a big emotion going into this place built by Palladio in 1585, the genius architect of the Italian renaissance. The spectacular optical effect of scene which was built for the first performance and the opening of this theatre shows the Tebe streets and give you the idea of 100 meters (110 yards) length, in practice the space for doing this is only 15 meters (13 yards).A must if you are in Vicenza!