La Fenice Opera House

I’m sure you’ve heard that appearances can be deceiving… well, this is a prime example! One of the most beautiful opera houses in the world hides behind this modest neoclassical façade. The neighbourhood’s previous theatre was destroyed by a fire in 1773. Consequently in 1792, a new venue was built and inaugurated, called La Fenice. This translates to The Phoenix, and what better name for a building that has risen from its ashes? The new opera house has always welcomed Europe’s greatest operas, featuring works by Bellini, Rossini, Verdi, and many more. Despite its growing fame, the theatre was damaged by fire yet again. The extensive restoration to reproduce the site’s exact structure and appearance was very expensive. 24-year-old Maria Callas performed at its reopening, and restored the theatre’s standing. But as we know, bad things come in threes. A third fire broke out in 1996, a case of arson. Its eight years of restoration were funded by locals and supported internationally. La Fenice came back to life in 2003, and, today, it’s as strong as never before. If you decide to visit, know that rare elegance awaits inside…