Located in Naples near the Royal Palace and Piazza del Plebiscito, the Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest opera house still in operation worldwide. Opened in 1737 under the Bourbon monarchy, it predates Milan’s La Scala and Venice’s La Fenice by several decades. The building features a classic horseshoe-shaped auditorium with ornate decorations and multiple tiers of boxes.
The theater hosts opera performances from late November through July and ballet productions from December to early June. Its interior design reflects 18th-century grandeur, with gilded stucco, red velvet seating, and a large stage equipped for traditional opera and ballet productions. The venue remains a key cultural site in Naples.
