Pontevedra Principal Theatre

Pontevedra Principal Theatre stands in the historic heart of Pontevedra, the capital of the Galician province of the same name in northwestern Spain. Although "Teatro Principal" is a common name for theatres across Spain, this particular building holds a distinctive place in local history — it hosted the city's first-ever film screening and later survived one of the most dramatic destructions of any theatre in the region, a fire that gutted its interior before it rose again in a new form.

What stood on this site before the theatre?

The plot on which the theatre now stands has a history stretching back further than the building itself. From at least the late 13th century, the site was occupied by the parish church of San Bartolomé el Viejo, which served the local community for centuries before it was demolished in 1842. Decades later, the same plot was chosen as the site of the new theatre.

When was the current building constructed?

The Principal Theatre's present building dates from 1878. From its opening, it functioned as Pontevedra's main stage and performance hall, quickly becoming a central point of the city's cultural life. It was here, in April 1900, that Pontevedra saw its first-ever cinematographic screening, followed a few months later, in December of that same year, by the city's first public demonstration of a phonograph with a horn speaker.

Why did the theatre lose its central role in the 20th century?

As dedicated cinemas opened across Pontevedra — Cinema Victoria in 1943, the Malvar cinema in 1948, and Gónviz in 1970 — the Principal Theatre gradually lost its standing as the city's main venue. For a period, it operated as a discount cinema and later as a variety hall. The same building also housed the Liceo Casino, a local social club.

What happened to the theatre in 1980?

On 14 April 1980, an electrical short circuit in the Liceo Casino's bingo room started a fire that spread through the entire building. The blaze gutted the theatre almost completely, leaving only the main perimeter walls standing. The building then stood unused for years while plans for its reconstruction were drawn up.

How was the theatre rebuilt?

Architect José Ramón Miyer Caridad won the competition for the reconstruction design in 1985. The rebuilding took over a decade, and the theatre reopened to the public in January 1997. The new design combined decorative touches drawn from 19th-century theatre architecture with a modern, technically updated interior suited to contemporary staging needs.

Where exactly is the theatre located?

The Principal Theatre sits in Pontevedra's historic old town, in Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Its central location makes it easy to pair a visit with a walk through the rest of the old quarter, including its nearby churches and historic squares.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Pontevedra Principal Theatre built? The current building dates from 1878, replacing the parish church of San Bartolomé el Viejo, which had stood on the same site until it was demolished in 1842.

What was the first cultural event held at the theatre? In April 1900, the theatre hosted Pontevedra's first-ever film screening, followed in December of the same year by the city's first phonograph demonstration.

What happened to the theatre in 1980? On 14 April 1980, a fire that started in the bingo room of the Liceo Casino, housed in the same building, destroyed almost the entire interior, leaving only the main walls standing.

When was the theatre rebuilt? Architect José Ramón Miyer Caridad won the reconstruction competition in 1985, and the rebuilt theatre reopened in January 1997.

Is the Pontevedra Principal Theatre the same as other "Teatro Principal" venues in Spain? No — "Teatro Principal" is a common theatre name used in many Spanish cities. This particular building is located in the centre of Pontevedra, in Galicia.