About this place
Nuevo Teatro Circo is a municipal theatre in the old town of Cartagena, a historic port city in Spain's Region of Murcia. For well over a century a stage has stood on this exact spot, making the building one of the city's key cultural landmarks.
Where did this theatre come from?
The story starts in 1879. On 31 May of that year, the original Teatro Circo opened its doors, designed by the Murcian architect Carlos Mancha on a plot cleared after the demolition of a bullring. The design reused a grand hall from an earlier building put up by architect Tomás Rico Valarino. Inside, 42 columns decorated in an Arab-inspired style gave the auditorium a distinctly exotic feel.
The opening night featured two zarzuelas: "El diablo en el poder" by Emilio Arrieta and Francisco Camprodón, performed by Juan de Cubas's company, and "Un verano en Cartagena" by Miguel Nieto and Enrique Soto, written specifically for the occasion.
What kind of shows played here?
The word "Circo" (circus) in the name was no accident. The programme mixed circus acts — magicians, jugglers, trapeze artists, trained wild animals and clowns — with theatrical performances of the leading works of the day. In 1916, cinema screenings joined the bill, turning the venue into an even more versatile entertainment hall.
A major renovation followed in 1935, bringing in the technical advances of the era. The ceiling was rebuilt in especially striking fashion: hundreds of light bulbs set into small pieces of tin created the illusion of a starry sky over the audience.
Why is it called "Nuevo" today?
The original Teatro Circo closed on 10 February 1968 with a farewell show titled "Adiós Teatro Circo," staging the zarzuela "La Parranda" by Francisco Alonso. The building was then demolished and rebuilt from scratch under a new name, Nuevo Teatro Circo. Its grand reopening took place on 3 October 1970, with the Spanish ballet company of Pilar López Júlvez performing on the inaugural night.
What can visitors see today?
The theatre now operates as a municipally run venue, hosting concerts, theatre productions, dance performances and other cultural events for both locals and visitors. It remains a central stop on Cartagena's cultural map and is easy to combine with a walk through the old town.
Getting there and best time to visit
Nuevo Teatro Circo sits within Cartagena's historic centre, within easy walking distance of major sights such as the Roman theatre and the harbour. Since the programme changes seasonally, it's worth checking the current listings before travelling if attending a show is part of the plan. For sightseeing more generally, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, avoiding the intense summer heat typical of this part of Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Nuevo Teatro Circo built? The current building opened on 3 October 1970, after the original 1879 Teatro Circo was demolished and rebuilt.
What made the original theatre unusual? It combined circus acts — magic, acrobatics, trained animals — with classic theatre, and added cinema screenings from 1916 onward.
Can you still see performances there? Yes, it functions as an active municipal theatre with a regular programme of concerts, plays and cultural events.
Where exactly is the theatre located? In Cartagena's historic old town, in the Region of Murcia, close to the city's other major heritage sites.
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