Auditorio Príncipe Felipe

Auditorio Príncipe Felipe is the main concert hall and congress centre of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, officially known as the Auditorio-Palacio de Congresos Príncipe Felipe. Located in the Llamaquique district a short walk from the historic old town, it has been the region's leading venue for classical music and large public events for more than two decades.

What is the story behind the building?

The venue opened on 29 April 1999, following a construction budget of roughly 18 million euros. It was designed by architect Rafael Beca, who chose to work with rather than erase what already stood on the site: a municipal water reservoir dating back to 1846. Parts of the old reservoir's walls and structures were incorporated into the new building and remain visible on the lower floors, giving the complex a distinctive layered character that blends nineteenth-century civic infrastructure with contemporary concert-hall design.

How big is the complex and how many people can it hold?

The whole facility covers 4,500 m² of usable floor space within an 18,500 m² constructed area. The main hall, often called the symphonic hall, seats 1,505 people — 705 in the stalls and 800 in the amphitheatre. Combined with the adjoining multipurpose hall, the complex can host up to 2,388 people at once. It also includes a smaller chamber hall for 400 guests and five conference rooms, the largest accommodating up to 500 people. This mix of spaces lets the building function simultaneously as a concert hall and a congress centre.

What can visitors see and hear here?

The Symphony Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias (OSPA) is based here and performs regularly in the main hall, alongside the early-music ensemble Forma Antiqva, known for period-instrument performances of Baroque repertoire. Every year the auditorium also hosts the concert linked to the Princess of Asturias Awards, one of Spain's most prestigious cultural ceremonies, broadcast nationally. Throughout the year the halls also host touring productions, theatre performances and business events.

How do you get to Auditorio Príncipe Felipe?

The building sits in the Llamaquique district close to central Oviedo, making it an easy walk of about fifteen minutes from the old town or the train station. Local buses serve the surrounding streets, and parking is available nearby for visitors arriving by car. It is worth checking the current programme before visiting, since access to the interior generally depends on whether an event is scheduled that day.

When is the best time to visit?

OSPA's concert season typically runs from autumn to spring, matching the city's main cultural calendar. Summer programming tends to be lighter, though the venue still hosts congresses and special events year-round. Anyone interested in a specific concert or performance should check the venue's official schedule in advance, since tickets for the most popular events — especially those tied to the Princess of Asturias Awards — tend to sell out quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Auditorio Príncipe Felipe without a ticket to a concert? Access to the interior is usually tied to attending a specific event, such as a concert, congress or performance. Outside of scheduled events, entry to the main halls is generally restricted.

Which ensembles are based at the auditorium? The Symphony Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias (OSPA) and the early-music ensemble Forma Antiqva, which specialises in Baroque repertoire on period instruments, are both resident here.

How many people can the main hall seat? The symphonic hall seats 1,505 people, and the complex can host up to 2,388 when combined with the multipurpose hall.

Why does the building look unusual on its lower floors? It was built on the site of a nineteenth-century water reservoir from 1846, and parts of the original structure were preserved and incorporated into the new design instead of being demolished.