Things to Do at Teatro Petruzzelli

Teatro Petruzzelli stands as one of Italy's most impressive opera houses and arguably Bari's crown jewel. Built in the late 19th century, this grand theater actually has quite a dramatic backstory - it was devastated by a mysterious fire in 1991 that many suspect was arson, then painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 2009. The restoration was meticulous, bringing back the original's opulent red velvet, gold leaf details, and that soaring ceiling that makes you crane your neck the moment you walk in. What makes Petruzzelli special isn't just its size (it's the fourth largest theater in Italy), but the quality of productions it attracts. You'll find everything from classic opera and ballet to contemporary performances, and the acoustics are genuinely exceptional. Even if you're not typically an opera person, there's something about experiencing a performance here that tends to convert people - maybe it's the intimate feeling despite the grand scale, or the way the whole building seems to vibrate with history.

The theater sits right in Bari's city center on Corso Cavour, making it an easy walk from most central hotels. Forget the car completely. From Bari Centrale train station, you'll need 15 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride. Street parking here is terrible. You'll find better options at the paid lot on Via Putignani, or just take public transport-buses 1, 3, and 20 all stop nearby. Well worth the extra effort. The theater is well-signposted once you reach the old town, and locals won't hesitate to point you in the right direction.