It was like a little thorn in my heart, how could I have visited Bayreuth (Germany) several times and never visited its famous opera house?
According to its information panels the Margrave Opera (Markgräfliches Opernhaus) “is the best preserved example of a free-standing Baroque court theatre. It was modelled on the greatest opera houses of the time in Vienna and Dresden. As a unique monument of 18th-century festival and music culture it was inscribed by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2012”.
It was built in 1748 under by the request of Margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth (daughter of the Prussian king and beloved sister of Frederick the Great) for the wedding of her daughter Bayreuth’s princess Elisabeth Friederike Sophie and Duke Carl Eugen of Wiirttemberg. Designed by the Italian architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena and executed by his own son Carlo Galli Bibiena who ended up creating numerous stage set designs and festival decorations.
It has a wooden interior designed in an Italian Late Baroque style, a stage with a great depth of 27 metres (89 ft) and its facade was finished in 1750, work of Bayreuth’s court architect Joseph Saint-Pierre. The reason why this place kept its exceptional level of conservation is because, following the death of Wilhelmine, it went into disuse for more than a century.
After being declared UNESCO world heritage it got closed and underwent an extensive refurbishment between October 2012 and April 2018.
When I learned that it had finally reopened I CLEARLY paid a visit and WOW, it was like making a trip back in time! What an exceptional level of detail! AND EVERYTHING WAS INDEED MADE OF WOOD! This place is a MUST for art lovers, architecture enthusiasts and those who appreciate seeing the historical changes into infrastructure design!
What you see in this last image is me feeling like a child on Christmas day, taking a trillion photos and enjoying being in a “happy place” one of those that dream about going and come out with an immense smile filled with satisfaction.
Wow that’s is so impressive from the inside! This reminds me a bit of the opera in Vienna, which in my opinion is also a must-see place, if you’re ever visiting. I’ve been to many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Europe, just France has more than 10.
Did you actually see an opera or only went to photograph?
When I visit Vienna it was a fast discovery trip so I did not have the chance to go to opera. I did read, while writing this post, that it was crafted having Viennese and Dresden Opera Houses in mind, so it makes sense that it gives you the same feeling. What was for me fantastic is that it’s all wood made!
The Margrave Opera I was able to visit it in summer, and during that time they only had one charity concert, and because it was for a cause, prices went off my budget. I guess I will have to go back to Bayreuth to finish what I already started, hahahaha.
I somehow love tracking down World Heritage Sites wherever I go, I just feel compelled to see what was already “curated” by UNESCO.
Which World Heritage Site has been your favourite?
@Marichams That’s great! The ones that I can remember now from the top of my head are probably the Palace in Schonbrunn, Vienna and the Acropolis in Athens.
Yes! I was lucky enough to enjoy a short getaway in Athens and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! The food, the spirit of the people, the monuments, the chaos, the history, the political revolution that was still boiling in the neighbourhood in which I stayed and the signes of present discomfort and rebellion in comparison to the glorious past. I so much need to go back!
@Marichams I liked it as well! You’re right, Athens has a really special vibe and it’s really unique! I still haven’t been to the islands in Greece and I bet those will be amazing as well as I love the sea so much!
This place is a MUST for art lovers, architecture enthusiasts and those who appreciate seeing the historical changes into infrastructure design!
