Olympic Theater (English)

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Updated to: 23/08/2022

NB - Covid-19: entry procedures for museums

The green pass is no longer mandatory from 1 May 2022. It is strongly recommended to wear the surgical mask. 

World’s most ancient indoor theatre

Masterpiece and last work by Andrea Palladio, the Olympic theater was commissioned in February 1580 by the Olympic Academy, a partnership of prominent personalities in Vicenza related to literature, sciences, and arts, of which Palladio himself was a member.
The design was inspired by the “ancient” style theater, in the wake of Vitruvius studies revival during the Renaissance. It was also a self-celebratory work for Vicenza aristocracy, taking inspiration from the same classic ideals supported by the members of the Academy.
The construction works began in May 1580, but Palladio did not see them finished because of his sudden death. After several and complex events, the Olympic Theater was completed five years later, and it was solemnly inaugurated the 3rd of March 1585, with the staging of Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles.
You enter the theater going through the Odeon and the Anti-Odeon, two large rooms made by Vincenzo Scamozzi, and respectively decorated by Francesco Maffei frescoes depicting divinities and allegorical figures (approximately 1637 A.D.) and a monochrome frieze (approximately 1595 A.D.). The latter represents the theatrical outfitting curated by the Academy before the Olympic Theater construction (L’Amor Costante, Sophonisba), and the shows or events hosted in the new theater (Oedipus Rex, The Japanese legation reception).
Inside a closed space that simulates the classical theaters' outdoor settings, Palladio arranges a monumental Scaenae Frons flanked by two wings or Versurae, and a semi-elliptical Cavea with thirteen steps, closing at the top with an exedra of columns, partially open and partially recessed in the wall.
In the architectural structure tabernacle frames and plinths, there are the statues of the Academics who commissioned the Theater, in classical dress. In the highest order, there is a series of beautiful bas relief depicting Stories of Hercules by Ruggero Bascapè. 
Beyond the Scaenae Frons three openings, there are the wooden perspectives representing the streets of Thebes, made by Vicenzo Scamozzi for the inaugural show “Oedipus” and then become fixed and immutable over time.

Sito Unesco (goo.gl/Re34te)

POP - Palladio Olimpico Project interactive visits

The initiative stems from the desire of the Municipality of Vicenza to make the visit to the Olympic Theatre (Teatro Olimpico) memorable and innovative through a narrative model, conceived by Alessandro Baricco and the Holden School, which aims to enhance all the historic spaces of the Theatre.  

In this post-Coronavirus emergency phase, you can attend the "Son et Lumière" show, an integral part of the Palladio Olimpico Project.

Visiting hours

Visits suspended from 30 November to 10 December 2021

From 1st Semptember until to 30 June,  From Tuesday to Sunday: 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm
From 1st July until 31st August, From Tuesday to Sunday: 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 15.30 pm, 16.30 pm, 17.30 pm

The show will last around ten minutes.

To take part in it, you must go to the entrance of the Olympic Theatre.

Educational activities

For the 2021-2023 three-year period, the educational service of Vicenza’s Civic Museums has been assigned to Scatola Cultura, a non-profit cooperative that offers a very far-reaching program, with several types of educational courses for the various age brackets, from primary school to high school.
Download here the brochure with educational activities
For information on educational activities:
tel. 3483832395, didattica.museivicenza@scatolacultura.it, https://scatolacultura.it/
For bookings: Call Centre: +39 0444 964380 – Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 14:00.

Click here for information on prices and ticket offices

Privates, concessions for events and shows

Fees and forms are available at:
http://www.museicivicivicenza.it/it/other/condizioni.php

Legal marriages and civil unions celebrations

It is possible to book the Olympic theater garden (or the Olympic theater Odeon, in case of rain), Chiericati Palace (the Zodiac Room) and Villa Guiccioli (the auditorium) for the celebration of legal marriages and civil unions.

• Weddings
• Civil Unions

Where and when

Venue

Olympic Theater

Ticket Office

Iat, Tourist reception information

Infopoint and Ticket Office

Basilica palladiana

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