Teatro alla Scala, Milan

In Piazza della Scala is a monument to Leonardo da Vinci (1872). On the northwest side of the square stands the Teatro alla Scala (1775-78).La Scala is among the most-celebrated opera houses in the world. It was originally built on the site of the 14th century church of Santa Maria della Scala. The theater seats 2,800 and attracts one of the most demanding audiences in Italy. The season begins in early to mid-December and runs through May but tickets are often difficult to come by. Check with your hotel concierge or visit the box office. You may get lucky and find some seats available up in the gallery.If you are in Milan out of season you can still visit the Museo Teatrale alla Scala in the same building from where you can view the inside of the opera theater. The museum honors the greats who performed and whose works were performed at La Scala including Verdi, Rossini and the great conductor Arturo Toscanini.