Centro de Documentación de las Artes Escénicas de Andalucía

Centro de Documentación de las Artes Escénicas de Andalucía (now operating as the Centro de Investigación y Recursos de las Artes Escénicas de Andalucía, CIRAE) is a research and archive institution in Seville dedicated to theatre, dance, circus and magic from across Andalusia. It occupies the former church of Santa Lucía, in the northern part of the Casco Antiguo, Seville's historic centre.

What is this place?

The centre has operated since 1992, with a mission to locate, collect, preserve, study and share documentation on the performing arts of the region. In practice, that means archives, library holdings, audiovisual materials and digital resources open to researchers, artists and anyone curious about the history of theatre and dance in southern Spain. The institution also maintains Elektra, a digital archive of performance recordings and related documentation.

How do you get there?

The address is Calle Santa Lucía 10, postal code 41003, right in the heart of old Seville. The neighbourhood is fully walkable and well connected to the city's main sights — it's a short walk from the cathedral or the Real Alcázar. City buses stop within a few minutes on foot, and the Sevici bike-share system is a convenient option for getting around the centre.

What will you see?

The building itself — a former church — is a striking example of a historic sacred space repurposed for cultural use. Inside, the centre hosts themed exhibitions related to the performing arts, and the space is also used for workshops and industry gatherings. For anyone interested in flamenco, theatre or contemporary dance, this is a place to access archival material that's hard to find anywhere else.

When should you visit?

Admission is free, and guided visits run by prior appointment. It's worth arranging your visit in advance by phone or email, since the exhibition and events program changes seasonally. Seville summers get very hot, so mornings or late afternoons make for a more comfortable visit — and the location pairs naturally with a walk through the surrounding old-town sights.

Who is this for?

This is primarily a stop for people interested in the history and theory of the performing arts — students, researchers, but also travellers looking for a less obvious side of Seville's cultural scene, away from the standard monument circuit. The combination of a repurposed historic church with the function of a modern documentation centre makes a visit here different from a typical museum stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission free? Yes, general admission is free, though guided tours require booking in advance.

What is the institution officially called? It was originally named Centro de Documentación de las Artes Escénicas de Andalucía (CDAEA); today it operates as the Centro de Investigación y Recursos de las Artes Escénicas de Andalucía (CIRAE).

What can you see besides the building itself? Themed exhibitions on theatre, dance and circus, plus access to archival collections and the Elektra digital archive of performance recordings.

Is it worth combining with a walk through the old town? Yes — its location on Calle Santa Lucía in the Casco Antiguo makes it easy to pair a visit here with nearby historic Seville landmarks.