Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, Opera house in Palermo, Italy
The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe, with a neoclassical facade in golden limestone. The main auditorium features red velvet seating and is surrounded by horseshoe-shaped balconies rising through six tiers.
Construction began in 1874 after an architectural competition won by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, and after his death, his son Ernesto took over until the opening in 1897. The premiere featured Verdi's opera Falstaff, marking a new highpoint for the Sicilian cultural scene.
The name honors King Vittorio Emanuele II, who died during the opening preparations. The facade with its Corinthian columns reflects the idea of an opera as a temple of the arts, while the grand front steps remain a popular meeting spot for locals today.
Guided tours through the halls and backstage areas take place in the morning and afternoon, while evening performances create a festive mood with elegant evening dress. The acoustic properties are considered excellent, so every seat in the auditorium offers a clear listening experience.
Scenes from the film The Godfather Part III were shot here, particularly on the staircase and main entrance. During the long closure, parts of the building were used as a parking lot, which seems hard to imagine today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
