The baroque opera house, commissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine and designed by famous Giuseppe Galli Bibiena and son Carlo from Italy, was completed in 1748 and remained Germany's largest opera house until 1871. This ornate opera house partially drew Richard Wagner's attention to Bayreuth. 2012 the opera house was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now it is closed for extensive refurbishment, a process which is expected to take several years to complete. However, the Foyer can still be visited.