Teatro Olimpico

Behind a charming walled garden prime for picnics lies a Renaissance marvel: Teatro Olimpico, which Palladio began in 1580 with inspiration from Roman structures. Vincenzo Scamozzi finished the elliptical theatre after Palladio’s death, adding a stage set modelled on the ancient Greek city of Thebes, with streets built in steep perspective to give the illusion of a city sprawling towards a distant horizon. The theatre was inaugurated in 1585 with a performance of Oedipus Rex but soon fell into disuse – the ceiling caved in and the theatre remained abandoned for centuries until it was restored at last in 1934. Today, Italian performers have vied to make an entrance on this architectural gem of a stage; check online for opera and classical performances, and don’t miss Vicenza Jazz concerts here in May.