Manoel Theatre

The Manoel Theatre is named after Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, Fra António Manoel de Vilhena, who ordered its construction in 1731. The theatre is reputed to be Europe’s third-oldest working theatre (older than the San Carlo in Naples), and the oldest theatre still in operation in the Commonwealth of Nations.  The Manoel, is the country’s national theatre and the home of Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.  The theatre is a small, 623 seat venue, with an oval-shaped auditorium, three tiers of boxes constructed entirely of wood, decorated with gold leaf, and a pale blue trompe-d’oeil ceiling that resembles a round cupola.

Old Theatre Street,  Valletta |+356 2124 6389