Auditorio Manuel de Falla

Auditorio Manuel de Falla is a concert hall in Granada, built right next to the Alhambra gardens on the site where composer Manuel de Falla lived until 1939. The building carries his name in honor of the composer's deep ties to the city, and today it houses the Granada City Orchestra along with an archive dedicated to his work.

How did the auditorium come to be?

In 1962 the city council decided to purchase the carmen — a traditional Granadian house with a garden — where de Falla had once lived, aiming to give Granada a modern concert venue. The project was entrusted to architect José María García de Paredes. Construction stretched over more than a decade, and the hall officially opened on 10 June 1978 with a concert by the Spanish National Orchestra conducted by Antoni Ros-Marbà.

What makes the interior distinctive?

The stage covers more than 180 square meters and follows an unusual layout: the audience sits both in front of and behind it, split across two halls that together hold 1,240 seats. Combined with carefully engineered acoustics, this design has earned the venue a reputation as one of the best-sounding concert halls on an international level.

Has the building ever been renovated?

Yes. After thirty years of continuous use as a cultural center devoted to Manuel de Falla, the venue closed in July 2008 for a thorough renovation overseen by the city council. The work took roughly two years, after which the hall reopened its doors to audiences and performers alike.

Where exactly is it located?

The auditorium sits in Granada Province, immediately next to the Alhambra hill, making it an easy stop while exploring the historic quarter of the city. Its proximity to the palace gardens means a visit can easily be combined with a walk through Granada's most famous monument.

What role does it play today?

The hall is the permanent home of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada and holds materials related to Manuel de Falla's musical legacy. It also serves as one of the venues for the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance, one of Spain's oldest and most respected music festivals.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Manuel de Falla? A Spanish composer and one of the most important classical music figures of the 20th century, who lived for many years in Granada in a house that once stood on the very site of today's auditorium.

When did the hall open? On 10 June 1978, with a concert by the Spanish National Orchestra.

How many people does the concert hall hold? Around 1,240 spectators, seated in two sections facing each other on either side of the stage.

Was the building ever modernized? Yes, it underwent a comprehensive renovation between 2008 and 2010, after thirty uninterrupted years of use.

Can visitors catch a concert while touring the Alhambra? Yes, the auditorium sits right next to the Alhambra gardens, so it's easy to combine sightseeing with a concert, especially during the summer music and dance festival.