Experience Guided Tours of Malta's Historic Theatre This Summer
In the year 1732, a deed was signed by the Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena to have several houses in Valletta purchased and converted into a theatre. Over the years the building has been transformed into what we now know as Teatru Manoel. One of the oldest working theatres in Europe, Teatru Manoel has a long and rich history that features operas, plagues, restoration, wars, comedies, and so much more. And if you’ve ever wanted to explore the theatre up close, now’s your chance.
Teatru Manoel offers a variety of theatre tours throughout the week that will allow guests to learn about this special theatre’s history and encounter the details of the lavishly decorated interior of this Baroque architectural masterpiece.
The first option is a general tour offered by the Teatru Manoel staff. At this tour you’ll get to visit the theatre and learn about how it has changed and evolved since it was built three centuries ago. From learning about the different backstage departments, stage mechanisms, and the intricate baroque design elements, you’ll get a detailed overview of this exciting venue. This tour costs €10 per person, with group booking suggested in advance. Tours are available at various times throughout the day from Monday to Saturday.
If you’re looking for something a bit more elevated and personalised, Teatru Manoel is once again teaming up with House of Tours to bring you ‘The Grand Tour of Teatru Manoel’ in a performance/tour hybrid that is not to be missed. Led by actor and tour guide Jeremy Grech – who has trod the boards at Teatru Manoel himself several times – ‘The Grand Tour of Teatru Manoel’ will allow you to learn historical facts that you might not find in your average history book. Grech, who runs local ‘theatretourism’ company House of Tours, combines his theatrical skills with his certification in tour guiding to create compelling, interactive, and informative tours that really immerse guests in the time and space that they are exploring. The Grand Tour lasts roughly one hour, happening twice a day every Tuesday, at 10.30am and 12pm.
‘The Grand Tour of Teatru Manoel’ has received high praise, with one guest calling it “a perfect balance of history and entertainment” and another saying they would “highly recommend it to both locals and foreigners”. Jeremy will take you on an exciting journey through time, and even explain to you his favourite aspects of the theatre, including the building’s impressive endurance, “From the Knights to the French to the British to now…it has refused to go down. Not even the War could touch it!”
This is the perfect tour for people looking to learn more about the theatre, those looking for an entertaining hour of fun, and those looking to escape the summer heat.
Tickets for the Grand Tour cost €20 per person and can be purchased here!
Normal weekly tours of Teatru Manoel will continue to run alongside the Grand Tour.
Guests are advised that since Teatru Manoel is a working theatre with ongoing rehearsals and other technical work, there are certain times when the main auditorium will be inaccessible, and it may be necessary for tours to be cancelled or rescheduled.
For further information on tour times and tickets, call the Box Office at (+356) 21246389 or drop by in person Monday to Saturday from 10am onwards.
