The Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg is one of the most famous opera and ballet houses in Russia. Its green and white building stands on Theatre Square, and since 1860 it has been the home of Russian ballet and opera.
Visitors often confuse the venues: today the Mariinsky is a complex with the historic theatre, a modern second stage and a concert hall, each with its own address. This guide explains the differences, how to buy tickets and what to expect on the evening.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Мариинский театр |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1860 |
| Architect(s) | Alberto Cavos |
| Address | Театральная площадь, 1, Санкт-Петербург |
| District | Admiralteysky District |
| Metro | Sadovaya (Line 5, Longer walk or a short bus ride to Teatralnaya Square) Admiralteyskaya (Line 5, Walk or take a bus toward Teatralnaya Square) Sennaya Ploshchad (Line 2, Walk or take a bus toward Teatralnaya Square) |
| Opening hours | A working theatre: performances take place mainly in the evening, with some matinees, and the box office has its own hours. The schedule is published on the theatre's playbill (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Tickets are required for performances, and prices vary widely by performance and seat (₽₽ to ₽₽₽₽). |
| Best time to visit | Performances run through the season, and the busiest period is the main season from autumn to spring. Evening performances are the main experience. |
| Recommended duration | An evening: about 3 hours for a performance |
| Website | mariinsky.ru/en |
| Last updated | October 15, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Mariinsky Theatre | Included in the standard ticket | Entry is by performance ticket for the venue stated on the ticket. |
| Mariinsky II | Separate ticket or institution | A different building on Dekabristov Street 34 with its own entrance. |
| Mariinsky Concert Hall | Separate ticket or institution | A different building on Pisareva Street 20. |
| St Petersburg Conservatory | Outside / not part of it | A separate institution on the same square, with its own opera and ballet theatre. |
| Theatre Square | Outside / not part of it | Public square, free to visit. |
Why Visit Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg?
A performance at the Mariinsky is the best way to see Russian ballet and opera in a historic house. The theatre opened in 1860 and was the home of the Imperial ballet and opera, and its history includes the choreographer Marius Petipa.
The historic auditorium has a blue-and-gold look and a long tradition of premieres of Russian composers.
The newer stages add choice: the Mariinsky II is a modern building with large-scale productions, and the Concert Hall is built for symphonic music.
How Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg Is Laid Out
The Mariinsky is a group of venues around Theatre Square and Dekabristov Street. The historic theatre is at Teatralnaya Square 1. Mariinsky II is nearby at Dekabristov Street 34, across the Kryukov Canal, and the Concert Hall is at Pisareva Street 20, with its entrance from Dekabristov Street.
Each venue has its own entrance, so check the venue on your ticket before leaving for the evening.
The historic theatre is the right choice for the classic opera-house atmosphere, and Mariinsky II suits those who prefer a modern building and large stage.
Highlights of Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
The historic theatre
Alberto Cavos built the theatre after a circus theatre on the site burned down in 1859. It opened on 2 (14) October 1860 and was named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II.
The building is green and white, with a blue-and-gold auditorium and a tiered interior.
Tip: Check that your ticket is for the historic building if you want this atmosphere.
The auditorium
The interior was lavishly decorated after the 1883–1886 reconstruction by Viktor Schroeter under the supervision of Nikolai Benois. The hall has tiers of boxes, stucco and a large chandelier.
The seating is close to the stage compared with modern halls.
Tip: Arrive early to look at the foyers and the auditorium before the performance.
The ballet and opera tradition
The theatre was the home of the Imperial ballet and opera, and Marius Petipa was its first ballet master for a long time. Premieres of works by Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov were held in this tradition.
The resident companies, the Mariinsky Ballet, Opera and Orchestra, continue to perform here.
Tip: Choose a classic title if it is your first visit.
Mariinsky II
The second stage opened in 2013 at Dekabristov Street 34. It is a modern building of glass and metal with large-scale facilities.
Productions are given on both stages by the same companies.
Tip: Check the address of the performance, because the two buildings are not the same.
The Concert Hall
The Concert Hall at Pisareva Street 20 was built for symphonic music after a 2003 fire at the site of set workshops and opened in 2007, according to a local ticketing source.
It has a modern interior and good acoustics.
Tip: Choose it for orchestral concerts.
Theatre Square
The square in front of the theatre was formed in the eighteenth century around the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre. Monuments to the composers Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov stand on the square.
The Conservatory is also on the square.
Tip: Walk around the square before the evening; the monuments are easy to miss.
Atmosphere
Before a performance the square fills with people in formal and semi-formal clothes, and the foyers are full of conversation. The theatre has the formal feel of a major opera house, with programme sellers and ushers.
Inside, the lights dim, the orchestra tunes and the hall goes quiet. During the interval people walk through the foyers and drink tea or champagne. After the performance, the square is calm, with the green facade lit.
History of Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
The first big theatre on Theatre Square was the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre, built in 1775–1783 to the design of Antonio Rinaldi. In 1849 an equestrian circus designed by Alberto Cavos opened nearby.
When the circus theatre burned down in 1859, Cavos rebuilt it as an opera and ballet house. It was solemnly opened on 2 (14) October 1860 and named the Mariinsky Theatre, after Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II.
Marius Petipa was for a long time the first ballet master of the theatre. In 1883–1886 the building was rebuilt by Viktor Schroeter under the supervision of Nikolai Benois, and the facade gained its more monumental form.
After the revolution the theatre was renamed. In 1920 it became the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, and during much of the Soviet period it was known as the Kirov Theatre. The historic name returned in 1992, and it is now the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre.
In the early 2000s the theatre expanded. The Concert Hall opened in 2007, and Mariinsky II opened in 2013 next to the historic building.
Today the Mariinsky is a complex of venues that hosts the Mariinsky Ballet, Opera and Orchestra, and the historic theatre remains a symbol of Russian classical performance.
Tickets and Booking for Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Performance ticket | ₽₽₽₽ | A seat for the stated performance and venue; prices vary by seat and production. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Buy tickets through the theatre’s official website or at its box office, to avoid extra fees from resellers.
- Rates differ for Russian citizens, who may be offered a special rate, and for foreign visitors, who usually buy at the full rate.
- Check the venue on every ticket: the historic theatre, Mariinsky II and the Concert Hall are different buildings.
- Sales windows and rules are shown on the playbill page, so check the date you want.
Use the theatre’s official website (mariinsky.ru) for the current playbill and rules.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
3 hours
Arrive an hour early, look at Theatre Square and the monuments, enter the foyer and take your seat, and spend the evening at a performance.
Evening
Have an early dinner nearby, walk along the Kryukov Canal to the theatre, attend the performance and walk back along the canal.
Half day
Spend the afternoon in the area around Theatre Square and the canals, then attend an evening performance.
How to Get to Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
The historic theatre is on Teatralnaya Square. According to the city’s tourism portal, the nearest metro stations are Admiralteyskaya and Sadovaya (both Line 5). Sennaya Ploshchad (Line 2) is also used.
- The distance from the stations is a longer walk, and buses or a taxi are an easy alternative.
- Parking near the square is limited.
Accessibility
Information on access differs between the venues. Sources say the modern buildings, Mariinsky II and the Concert Hall, are the easier options for step-free access, while the historic building has an older layout. Contact the theatre in advance to ask about the venue you plan to attend.
Food Nearby
Cafes and restaurants are on the streets around Theatre Square and along the Griboedov Canal. Book dinner before a performance, since time is limited.
What to Bring
Smart clothes; the theatre publishes a dress code on its website. Leave large bags and coats in the cloakroom.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
Theatre Square
The green-and-white facade seen from the square with the composers' monuments in front.
Best time: Evening, when it is lit.
The Kryukov Canal
The theatre and the modern Mariinsky II seen across the canal.
Best time: Dusk.
The entrance steps
A close view of the portico with people arriving.
Best time: Before a performance.
Foyer
The tiered interior, where permitted.
Best time: Before the performance.
Photography Rules
Photography during performances is not allowed in most theatres. Check the theatre's rules and ask the staff.
Family Suitability
Suitable for older children who enjoy music or dance, but performances are long. Check age recommendations for the specific title and the theatre's rules for children.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Check the venue on the ticket twice; many first-time visitors go to the wrong building.
- Arrive at least forty minutes early to see the foyers.
- Choose a ballet if you have not been to the opera; it is easier to follow without language.
- Book dinner or a snack before the performance; the intervals are short.
- Plan transport home in advance, because late evening buses and taxis are busy.
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FAQ: Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg
Is the Mariinsky the same as the Mariinsky II?
No. They are different buildings. The historic theatre is on Teatralnaya Square, and Mariinsky II is on Dekabristov Street.
Is the Mariinsky Theatre the same as the Kirov Theatre?
Yes. The theatre was known as the Kirov Theatre in much of the Soviet period, and the historic name returned in 1992.
Can I visit without a performance?
The theatre is mainly visited through performances. Check the official website for any tours.
Which companies perform there?
The Mariinsky Ballet, the Mariinsky Opera and the Mariinsky Orchestra.
Is there a dress code?
The theatre publishes rules and a dress code on its official website; smart clothes are expected.
Is it close to the metro?
The nearest metro stations are Admiralteyskaya and Sadovaya, but the walk is a long one; buses or a taxi help.
How is it different from the Bolshoi in Russia?
It is the main opera and ballet house of Saint Petersburg, with its own companies, repertoire and history.
Where do I buy tickets?
On the theatre's official website or at its box office. See the booking section.
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Last updated: October 15, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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