Teatru Manoel is one of the many jewels that the Maltese Islands has to offer. Built by the Knights Hospitaller of St John in 1731, this primo esempio of Baroque architecture opened its doors on 19th January 1732. Its construction was commissioned by Grandmaster Fra Antonio Manoel de Vilhena who paid for the building himself.

It is one of Europe’s oldest working theatres and is the oldest fully functioning theatre in the Commonwealth. Historically speaking, Teatru Manoel allowed the performing arts to flourish in the Maltese Islands. Before its construction, performances were relegated to the halls and piano nobles of the auberges of the Order situated in Valletta. The construction of the Teatru Manoel stage brought some of the finest voices, musicians, actors and theatre makers from the golden days of Baroque to the Theatre.

Nowadays the Theatre continues to be a hub that cultivates an appreciation of the performing arts through the performances it offers on stage, but also through its learning and participation wing TOI TOI, that curates performances, workshops and masterclasses particularly targeting younger audiences, and performers who are still establishing themselves in the sector. The Theatre includes a varied cornucopia of performance throughout the year ranging from opera to dance.