Olympic Theatre, Renaissance theatre in Vicenza, Italy.
Description
The Olympic Theatre is a Renaissance-era building with an elaborate wooden stage where painted streets create the illusion of a city extending beyond the stage backdrop. The interior is designed so that every element works together as a cohesive artistic composition.
History
Andrea Palladio designed this building in 1580, and after his death, Vincenzo Scamozzi completed the work in 1585. That same year saw its first major theatrical performance, establishing it as an important venue for drama and culture.
Culture
The theater still displays the wooden stage set from the first performance of Oedipus Rex, showing how people staged classical dramas and what role such performances played in the community.
Practical
The venue accommodates around 470 visitors and is open on most days of the week, with longer hours during warmer months. It is advisable to check the current opening times beforehand, as these vary by season.
Did you know?
The stage features seven wooden streets leading to painted backdrops, creating an optical illusion that makes the space appear much deeper than it actually is. This technique was groundbreaking for its era and shows how artists tried to deceive audiences and transport them to other worlds.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Vicenza).
Venetian area is more than Venice. This part of northern Italy has towns from Roman times like Verona with its ancient amphitheater, Padua with Giotto's paintings in the Scrovegni Chapel, or Vicenza with the Olympic theatre designed by Palladio in the 1500s. The Dolomites provide hiking trails and...
Palladian villas of Veneto
65 m
Palazzo Chiericati
93 m
Santa Corona
142 m
Palazzo Thiene
302 m
Historic center of Vicenza
65 m
Palazzo Porto
303 m
Palazzo Leoni Montanari, Vicenza
186 m
Ponte degli Angeli
101 m
Casa Cogollo
88 m
Ca' d'Oro
258 m
Museo Civico
87 m
Santo Stefano
218 m
San Gaetano, Vicenza
236 m
San Pietro
314 m
Museo di Santa Corona
134 m
Palazzo Sesso Zen
258 m
Palazzo Angaran
134 m
Palazzo Regaù
259 m
Organo della chiesa di Santa Corona
142 m
City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto
65 m
Oratorio dei Boccalotti
281 m
Palazzo Chiericati Art Gallery
109 m
Vicenza
278 m
Monument to Fedele Lampertico
55 m
Palazzo Volpe Cabianca
289 m
Palazzo Negri de Salvi
260 mPalazzo Thiene
274 mAngelo
139 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes