 It is the biggest in Italy, and one of the largest of Europe (at the time of its inauguration, it was - with its area of 7730 sqm.- the third largest opera house in Europe after the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the K. K. Hof-Opernhaus in Vienna), renowned for its perfect acoustics.An international competition for the creation of the opera house was announced by the Palermo Council in 1864 at the instigation of the mayor, Antonio Starrabba di Rudinì.