This world-renown opera house, just steps from piazza del Duomo, was founded in 1778 under the auspices of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, to replace the Royal Ducal Theatre which burned down two years earlier. It takes its name from the church Santa Maria alla Scala, demolished to make room for the new theatre. Today, the theatre seats 1,987 spectators, and its repertory is varied, including a large number of unfamiliar works balanced by a limited number of popular favourites. For those who enjoy operatic history, visit the Museo teatrale alla Scala, complete with original hand-written scores and manuscripts. Even those who are not opera aficionados will be dazzled by the gold and mirrored entryway (which doubled as a casino in the theatre's early years) and the elegant boxes encircling the stage. A peak inside the main hall is breath-taking, but nothing compares to the full experience, and there are certainly deals to be had on tickets. The opera and ballet season runs from December through the following November; other performances are scheduled year-round.