The Teatro Petruzzelli is the largest theatre in Bari and, according to the size of the building, the 4th largest theatre in Italy - at the time of its creation it held up to 4,000 spectators.
The lavish theatre building was paid for by the Petruzzelli brothers, wealthy merchants and shipbuilders from Bari, and in 1898 construction actually began. It was completed in 1903 and its facade is characterised by its unusual ochre to brown colour with a portal around the main entrance lined with white marble.
In 1991 the theatre building was completely destroyed by fire, but between 2002 and 2009 it was again completely reconstructed in its unchanged form. The only significant difference is the reduction of the capacity for safety reasons to about 1,500 spectators.
Tickets for performances
Teatro Petruzzelli specialises mainly in opera and ballet performances. If you want an enriching cultural experience during your visit to Bari, then a visit to the Teatro Petruzzelli is definitely a good choice.
Tickets for performances are available from 10 eur to 100 eur depending on seating. Online purchase and a list of performances can be found on the museum's website: fondazionepetruzzelli.it.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Bari.