Sydney Opera House in Australia is not only the most popular attraction of this state, but also one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. This building attracts tourists with its unique appearance, diverse shows and performances that take place on its stage daily. Therefore, if you find yourself in Australia, then the Sydney Opera House is almost a must-see place. Where this building is located , what is its history and features, you will find out today. So get to know: Sydney Opera House!
Sydney Opera: photo, creation story
The grand opening of the Sydney Opera House took place in 1973. In a magnificent ceremony attended by the English Queen Elizabeth II. The Sydney Opera House is located in the city's harbor at Bennelong Point. This place was named after an Australian native and a great friend of the very first governor of the colony. Today it is difficult to imagine that until 1958 a tram depot was located here, and even earlier - a fort.
The honor of being the architect of this building, which became one of the most famous sights not only in Australia, but also in the whole world, fell to the Dane Jorn Utzon. However, despite the fact that he proposed the concept of spherical shells was quite easily implemented, construction work dragged on. Mainly a similar delay was due to the inability to finish the interior decoration of the building in a short time. Initially, the authors of the project planned that the construction will last four years and will cost 7 million Australian dollars. In fact, the Sydney Opera House was built for fourteen years, spending $ 102 million on it!
Theater architecture
The Sydney Opera House is designed in the style of expressionism and has a radical innovative design. The theater covers an area of more than two hectares. Its weight is 161 thousand tons. The building itself is supported by almost six hundred piles lowered into the water to a 25-meter depth.
The roof of the opera house consists of a series of so-called “shells”. They are also often called “shells” or “sails”. On top of the roof is covered with more than a million azulejo tiles in white and matte. From a distance, it seems that the design has a pure white color, however, with different lighting, the tiles provide different colors and shades.
How can I buy tickets for a performance at the Sydney Opera House?
Due to the fact that this theater is very popular with many tourists from around the world, as well as with the Australians themselves, tickets to it should be purchased in advance. You can do this either in the opera building itself or on its official website. The online booking option is very convenient, as you can slowly choose the suitable places, time and date, and make a purchase by credit card. Please note that group booking for a group of visitors of 6-20 people cannot be made through the site.
What does the opera in Sydney offer visitors besides performances
Do not assume that the Sydney Opera House involves exclusively representations or a study of its architectural features. So, for example, if you could not get a ticket for the desired show, then you can go on a daily tour, during which you can see for yourself an extraordinary interior, as well as learn about interesting facts from the history of this illustrious theater of the largest Australian city. In addition, the Sydney Opera House offers everyone the opportunity to study in vocals, acting, creating theater sets.
Shopping and restaurants in the theater building
Since the Sydney Opera House is not only a place where people can enjoy art, but is also a popular tourist attraction, there are also a variety of shops, bars and restaurants.
So, as for catering establishments, on the territory of this unique Australian theater there are also inexpensive cafes with drinks and snacks, and luxurious restaurants where you can taste delicious dishes. Very famous Opera Bar, located right next to the water. In the evening, live music plays here, and visitors enjoy a magnificent view. In addition, the Sydney Opera House has celebration rooms where weddings and various corporate events are held. Also, tourists will be able to find here several shops offering memorable souvenirs and colorful books about art.
Sydney Opera House: Where is it located
This famous Australian landmark is located at Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000. You can easily get to the Sydney Opera House by bus. They stop just a 7-minute walk from the theater. If you lead an active lifestyle and do not mind cycling, you can drive to the opera house in this two-wheeled vehicle and park it in a special parking lot. By the way, so many Sydney residents do this, since here the bike is a very popular form of transport among the local population. As for a personal car, it is not very convenient to get to the Opera on it, since parking here is very expensive and is mainly intended for people with disabilities.