National Museum of Performing Arts

The National Museum of Performing Arts in Almagro is Spain's only institution dedicated exclusively to the history of theatrical activity. It occupies the Palacio de los Maestres de Calatrava, a building whose origins go back to the 13th century, right in the heart of a town famous for its remarkably intact Renaissance-era layout.

What is this museum and why does it matter?

The institution was founded in 1919 as the Museo Nacional del Teatro and spent decades serving as Spain's main repository documenting the country's theatrical heritage. In spring 2025, following an extensive renovation completed to coincide with World Theatre Day, the museum reopened under a new name — the National Museum of Performing Arts (Museo Nacional de Artes Escénicas) — reflecting a broadened scope that now extends beyond spoken drama into the performing arts more generally.

What will you actually see inside?

The exhibition spans three floors and walks visitors through the history of theatre from ancient Greece up to the 1970s. The holdings rank among the richest of their kind in Europe: more than 10,000 works on paper (stage designs, costume sketches, drawings and prints), over 30,000 photographs dating back to 1870, more than 2,000 theatrical costumes from as early as the late 18th century, and a musical archive holding over 20,000 scores from the 19th and 20th centuries. Together, these visual, textile and musical materials let visitors trace how stage aesthetics and stagecraft evolved across centuries.

Why is this museum in Almagro specifically?

The location is no coincidence. Almagro has a living theatrical tradition of its own, centered on the Corral de Comedias, the best-preserved 17th-century corral-style theatre in the world, standing right on the town's main square, the Plaza Mayor. It was rediscovered during renovation work on the square in 1953, reopened in 1954, and remains an active performance venue today. Since 1978, Almagro has hosted the Festival Internacional de Teatro Clásico, an international classical theatre festival built primarily around Spain's Golden Age playwrights — Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Tirso de Molina — alongside Shakespeare and other classics. Held every July, the festival draws more than 50,000 visitors and turns the whole town into an open-air stage for its duration.

How should you plan a visit?

The museum pairs naturally with a visit to the nearby Corral de Comedias — the two sites are only a few minutes' walk apart within Almagro's historic centre. A guided visit to the Corral de Comedias with an audio guide typically costs around 2 euros, while attending a performance there with historical commentary runs about 7 euros. Allow at least an hour and a half to two hours if you want to take in both sites without rushing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the National Museum of Performing Arts differ from the old National Theatre Museum? It's the same institution under a new name — the change took effect in March 2025 after renovation, and the expanded program now covers performing arts more broadly, not just spoken theatre.

Where exactly is the museum located? Inside the Palacio de los Maestres de Calatrava, a historic building in the centre of Almagro, a town in the province of Ciudad Real, in the Castile-La Mancha region of Spain.

Is it worth combining the museum with a visit to the Corral de Comedias? Yes — both sites tell a connected story of Spanish theatre history and sit within easy walking distance of each other.

When is the best time to visit Almagro for theatre lovers? July, when the Festival Internacional de Teatro Clásico takes place, is the peak of the town's theatrical season, though the museum itself can be visited year-round.