The Sydney Opera House is an iconic and world-renowned performing arts venue located in Sydney, Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Australia’s cultural identity. The venue hosts a wide range of performances including opera, ballet, theatre, and music concerts. Visitors can take guided tours of the Opera House to learn about its history, architecture, and inner workings. Additionally, the Opera House offers various dining options with stunning views of Sydney Harbour. The surrounding area also features beautiful waterfront promenades and parks, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

The building, which turns 50 years old on October 20, has been given a cultural value of $11.4 billion by the global financial firm Deloitte.

Sure, the plum Sydney waterfront real estate is worth plenty – but the real value, according to Deloitte, is the way it symbolizes Australia all over the world, becoming one of those buildings, like the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, that can be recognized by its silhouette alone.

Inaugurated on October 20, 1973, by the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Opera House now welcomes more than one million visitors every year.

Danish architect Jorn Utzon won the competition to design the Opera House in 1957. He would later win the Pritzker Prize, which is considered the Nobel of architecture.