Tourist Attraction in Vicenza:
Teatro Olimpico

The Olympic Theater is a theater designed by the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio in 1580 and the first and oldest covered theater of the modern era. The realization of the theater, inside a pre-existing medieval complex, was commissioned to Palladio by the Olympic Academy for the staging of classical comedies. Its construction began in 1580 and was inaugurated in 1585, after the realization of the famous fixed scenes by Vincenzo Scamozzi. These wooden structures are the only Renaissance period to have come down to us, but in excellent condition. The construction of the theater began in 1580, the same year in which Palladio died, but the works were continued on the basis of his notes by his son Silla and ended in 1584, limited to the cavea complete with loggia and the proscenium. Recent studies have shown that the original Palladian project envisaged only a single perspective developed in correspondence with the central door of the scene, while in the two lateral gates painted backdrops had to be placed. At the same time, the caesura of the two wall wings and the "alla ducale" ceiling above the proscenium dates back to the Palladian project. The theater was inaugurated on 3 March 1585 with the representation of the Oedipus king by Sophocles and the choirs of Andrea Gabrieli (taken in 1997 for the Olympic Academy with the direction of Gianfranco De Bosio). On this and other rare occasions the scenes, which represent the seven streets of the city of Thebes, were illuminated with an original and complex artificial lighting system, also designed by Scamozzi. The scenes, which had been made of wood and stucco for temporary use, were never removed, and despite the dangers of fire and bombing, they were miraculously preserved to the present day, the only ones of their time. The interior of the theater is decorated with ninety-five statues, made of stone or stucco and representing the characters linked to the foundation of the Olympic Academy or of the theater itself. The grandiose Corinthian frons scenae is inspired by the triumphal Roman arches with three arches. The structure is Renaissance, with a mannerist imprint. In the attic of the frons scenae, in twelve panels, the twelve labors of Hercules are depicted. At the center, between two Fame with trumpets, is the stadium with the chariot race, an Academy sign and a reminder of the Olympic Games, established by Hercules, protector of the Vicenza association and a symbol of the man who, through virtue, acquires the glory. The Vicenza coat of arms is held by two young men. The elliptical cavea is enclosed by a balustrade with heroic swamp statues. In the central niche above the cavea stands the statue of Leonardo Valmarana, Prince of the Academy and promoter of the building, represented with imperial robes and insignia (a direct reference to the figure of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg). Text processing: Giovambattista Spagnuolo (Myooni)

Attractions in Vicenza