The Facade of Teatro La Fenice is the only part of the opera house which is still intact after the fires of 1836 and 1996 that ravaged the building. It features the original neoclassical design by Giannantonio Selva that the Teatro La Fenice was built in. The Facade bears the original crest of the opera house which is a Phoenix and two statues representing dance and tragedy.
The Foyer of the opera house was completely unscathed in the first fire of 1836. During the renovation work the main entrance was enlarged and a few walls were torn down to give a symmetrical design to the Foyer. This is the only section of the building that features the most of the original designs, the columns and still has the original floor and stairs that lead to the box seats.
The fire of 1996, completely ravaged the stage, the ceiling with the beautiful paintings and the five tier boxes of Teatro La Fenice. Aldo Rossi was asked to redesign the house based on the archive of old photographs for consultation. The technical aspects were particularly followed in order to obtain the perfect acoustic sound.
The Royal Box of Teatro La Fenice was not part of the original design. The first one was built in 1807 to seat Napoleon the then Emperor. This was a temporary structure and in 1808, Giannantonio Selva with the help of Giuseppe Borsato, built and decorated a permanent Royal Box. However this was destroyed in the fire of 1836. In 1849, Borsato was again assigned the task of reconstructing the Royal Box following the original design. But this time he made richer and more elegant decorations.
Sala Dante- Sala Dante houses the main bar and it is named after the frescoes that used to decorate the walls. The walls and ceiling of Sala Dante was filled with beautiful paintings which were destroyed in the fire. In 1976 the walls and ceiling of Sala Dante was decorated with paintings by Virgilio Guido but these were burned down in the fire of 1996. Now, after reconstruction the room features the original designs and decorations by Casa.
Sala Grande - Sala Grande is the main room of the Sala Apollinee and it is beautifully lit by three windows right in the center of the main Facade. This elegant room has been used for concerts, conferences, balls, chamber music and other grand events. After the fire of 1996, the Sala Grande was rebuilt in its original designs and decorations.
Teatro La Fenice was designed and planned by a renowned architect of his time, Giannantonio Selva back in 1792. The facade of the building is what remains of the original design till date and it still carries the original crest of the theater which is the Phoenix. The opera house has survived two fires and has been rebuilt many times. The initial design was neoclassical and several changes have been incorporated after the two fires.
The interiors of the opera house now have been designed by Aldo Rossi and feature beautiful paintings on the ceilings and outside the boxes. The foyer follows a symmetrical design with the left side being a mirror image of the right. Combining the original design and the new modern features, Teatro La Fenice is truly one of the finest examples of a harmonious blend between ancient and modern architecture.
The First Theatre The First Theater or Sala Dante was destroyed in the fire of 1996 in which all the paintings on its walls and ceilings frame were destroyed. A few years before the fire the ceiling was decorated by painter Virgilio Guido, and due to the fire the earlier canvases painted by other painters were rediscovered. It was named Sala Dante to honor the sixth century of birth of Dante Alighieri.
Second Theater The Second Theater was a ballroom called the Sala Grande and it served many purposes over the years for many different events including concerts and conferences. Due to a fire the floor right above the Foyer was completely destroyed and only the corners were salvaged in the fire of 1996. After which the entire floor was re-created to look exactly the same including the color of the walls.
The Present Theatre The present theater was rebuilt exactly the same as before by architect Aldo Rosi. In this remake the theater Administration offices and theater service offices were also remade using the written word to find out how the theater actually looked like. The theater was inaugurated in 2003.
The opening hours of Teatro La Fenice are from 9:30 to 6pm. The Opera house is open all year round.
The Opera house can be visited even when there are no shows or early shows are being performed but during these times the Grand Travel La Fenice is not available to visit.
Tram: One of the best ways to reach the Teatro La Fenice is by taking a tram. There are multiple trams that will take you to the opera house directly from the airport. The Autostradale will take you directly to the Opera House while the line 35 tram will take you to Piazza's Roma.
Ferry: Taking a ferry is one of the most convenient public transport available. The port is walking distance from the Marco de Polo Airport where you can take your ferry that takes you straight to the Opera House.
Bus: You can also use a bus to get to Teatro La Fenice from Aerostazione Marco Polo. This trip is about 50 minutes long depending on traffic.
The Teatro La Fenice is easily accessible by everybody and is specially equipped for handicapped people so they can comfortably enjoy the shows.
There is a set of specially reserved seats at the Malibran Theatre and all the floors are accessible by wheelchairs. A differently abled customer and his or her assistant can get one paid ticket and one ticket free of charge.
All the floors, boxes and galleries are connected by lifts and the doors are handled especially by specifically assigned members of the staff. For entering the Opera house there are two doors, one is for the performers and the other is used by the visitors.
If the performances are the reason you are visiting then summer or fall seasons are perfect as the most lavish and beautiful performances are held during this time.
But if the Teatro La Fenice history is what attracts you then booking between November and February might be best, this time is called off season and tickets and bookings are more affordable but there will be a few or even no performances during this time.
Why is Teatro La Fenice famous?
Teatro La Fenice the Opera House is famous for its historic significance, splendid performances and for its magnificent architecture. It was destroyed by fire and remade three times and it still hasn't lost its original elegance and grandeur that was designed and planned by its first architect Giannantonio Selva in 1792.
Is Teatro La Fenice worth a visit?
Yes, Teatro La Fenice is worth a visit; it is one of the finest examples of baroque style of architecture. It showcases the artistic side of European culture and heritage. Its majestic Facade features a neo - classical style of architecture and the spectacular shows and performances held here make this Opera House definitely worth a visit.
Should I pre book a ticket for Teatro La Fenice?
It is best to pre-book Teatro La Fenice Tickets to the performances you want to see as tickets might be hard to get at the last minute and it will also help you in jumping ahead of the extra long queues at the ticket counter. Teatro La Fenice Tickets are sold out pretty quick and might be hard to get, booking a week or two early is best.
What are the nearby places to Teatro La Fenice?
St.Mark's Basilica - St. Mark's Basilica is famous for its beautiful gold mosaics, Byzantine architecture and Gothic decor, which makes it one of the best places to visit near Teatro La Fenice.
Doge's Palace - Doge's Palace grand Palace which was built in Venetian-Gothic style and considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection - This is a modern arts museum and houses some amazing works of Salvador Dali, Vasily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso and many others.
What is the best time to visit Teatro La Fenice?
The best time to visit and buy Teatro La Fenice tickets is during spring, which is between May and June or during Autumn, which is between September and October. The weather will be cool and calm and is perfect for you to go and watch a performance or tour the Opera House.
Where can I book tickets for Teatro La Fenice online?
You can explore different packages and book your Teatro La Fenice tickets online from us. Upon booking you will get instant confirmation and an email containing your Teatro La Fenice tickets sent to you.