Berlin State Opera

The famous avenue Unter den Linden, which literally means “under the lime trees”, stretches from the Brandenburg Gate to the castle bridge behind you. Lined with Berlin’s most prestigious institutions, it is the capital’s most important avenue. Here, it presents the pale pink exterior of the Staatsoper: the Berlin State Opera. With its Corinthian portico, monumental statues, and a hint of a Greek temple vibe, this is a typical example of neoclassical architecture. You’ll notice that there’s an inscription engraved in the stone pediment. If you have some basic knowledge of Latin, you may understand it, but for those who find it a bit more challenging, it translates to: “King Frederick dedicates this temple to the god Apollo and the muses.” Above it, you can also see the date of its inauguration, which you may figure out is “1743.” Just a quick reminder: M stands for a thousand, D for 500, C for a hundred, X for ten, and L for fifty. As you may have guessed, the opera was commissioned by Frederick the Great, who sought to create a cultural institution worthy of his court; It was inspired by the French and Italian royal academies, and located close to his palace. This was quite rare at the time, as theaters were usually built directly within palace grounds. The Staatsoper is one of the first major theaters to be constructed in a public space, with the intention to embody the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment, when art was meant to be accessible to all. The four statues you see pay tribute to iconic figures of the Holy Roman Empire’s art and culture. From left to right, you can point out Beethoven, Mozart, Weber, and Wagner. The opera house has been revamped several times since the 18th century, particularly after the bombings of World War II. However, the multiple restorations have not drastically changed its original appearance. Any necessary changes have always aimed to preserve the building’s historical character, for example when integrating modern elements to meet the technical and acoustic demands of a contemporary opera house. If you are interested by this kind of stuff, know that the Berlin State Opera is renowned for its program, having hosted many world premieres as well as the greatest composers and conductors. Feel free to check what is on the program during your stay. If you are curious about the interior, which is far more impressive than it appears from the outside, you can also join a guided tour organised by the theater. However, please note that tours are only available on Saturdays or after performances and are carried out exclusively in German.