Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre

A historic tsarist-era opera and ballet house opened in 1783 under Catherine the Great — a founding landmark of Russian theatrical history.

The Bolshoi Theatre in Saint Petersburg, also known as the Kamenny Theatre (Stone Theatre), was one of the most important opera and ballet venues of the Russian imperial era. Opened in 1783 under Catherine the Great, it quickly became a cultural cornerstone of the city. The stage played a decisive role in shaping Russian musical theatre and hosted numerous significant premieres. The building no longer exists in its original form, but its influence on Russian cultural history of the 18th and 19th centuries was lasting. As a historical predecessor of the Mariinsky Theatre, it is a key site for understanding Saint Petersburg's rich theatrical tradition.