Real Teatro di San Carlo

— Located in Naples, Italy, the Real Teatro di San Carlo is a fine example of neoclassical architecture. This Naples opera house is known as the oldest continuously active venue for public opera in the world. It opened in 1737, preceding both the Milan’s La Scala and Venice’s La Fenice theaters. The current seating capacity is 1,386 seats. In February 1816, a major fire destroyed part of the building, but less than a year later, it was re-inaugurated. Some of the theater’s composers in residence included  Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi and others. This particular architectural design was at some point the model for other opera houses in Europe. This view of the theater’s entrance is seen from the Galleria Umberto I (also featured on this site).