We are looking at the rear of Monte Carlo's famous casino which includes an opera and ballet house.The old Casino buildings were torn down in 1878 to make room, in less than 6 months, for the building of a new complex. Gambling was temporarily moved to the Hôtel de Paris. It was Charles Garnier who, after building the Paris Opera House, was to be in charge of the construction of the Théâtre du Casino and its large gaming room. He gave the building its present-day allure by crowning it with a cupola and two pinnacles. Sarah Bernhardt was the first to star at the Opera, where she recited a poem while waving huge palm branches, on January 25th, 1879.
The steps are a good place for a picnic lunch.
Great building and great photo!
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building. I've seen it from the outside, but never dared to step foot inside. Have you been in?
ReplyDeleteA very grand building. Too grand for the likes of me. I wonder if there's a small side entrance where the 'normal' people enter?
ReplyDeleteJilly, I love this view, thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteGail's man, the grand entrance is actually on the other side. This is only the back of the building, would you believe? LOL