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About this place
Rivoli Theatre in Porto is a municipal playhouse and former cinema on Praça D. João I, in the heart of the city. Locals know it as the Teatro Municipal do Porto – Rivoli, and it is one of Porto's main performing-arts venues.
Where is the Rivoli?
The building faces Praça D. João I, a short walk from Avenida dos Aliados. The square is named after John I, first king of the Avis dynasty, who married Philippa of Lancaster in Porto in 1387. Nearby landmarks include the Palácio Atlântico and the Rialto building. Together with Teatro Campo Alegre, the Rivoli makes up the Teatro Municipal do Porto.
What is its history?
The story starts in 1913, when a venue called Teatro Nacional opened on the site. As the city centre changed, the property was modernised, and in 1923 the Rivoli emerged in Art Deco style, designed by engineer and architect Júlio Brito. It served for decades as both a stage and a cinema.
Porto City Council bought the building in 1989 to return it to public cultural use. It closed in 1992 for a complete overhaul covering around 11,000 square metres, with the expansion and redesign led by Pedro Ramalho. The renewed Rivoli reopened on 16 October 1997.
What will you find inside?
After the works the theatre gained two auditoriums, a café, a rehearsal room and an artists' foyer. A café and restaurant operate on the fifth floor. The programme covers theatre, dance, music and other cultural events, which the city announces in seasons spanning several months.
Even if you do not have a ticket, the facade and the square make a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in early twentieth-century architecture in Porto.
How do you plan a visit?
Because the Rivoli sits in the centre, it combines easily with a walk through the area, and Avenida dos Aliados with the city hall is right next door. Check the Teatro Municipal do Porto website for the current programme and ticket availability. The venue also hosts evening concerts and events, and the fifth-floor café adds an extra stop.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Rivoli in Porto?
On Praça D. João I in the city centre, at Praça D. João I, 4000-295 Porto.
Who designed the Rivoli?
Júlio Brito designed the 1923 version. The building you see today reflects the late-1990s expansion and redesign by Pedro Ramalho.
When did it reopen after renovation?
On 16 October 1997, after closing in 1992 and being bought by the city in 1989.
Is the Rivoli the same as the Teatro Municipal do Porto?
The Teatro Municipal do Porto is the institution that runs two venues: the Rivoli in the centre and Teatro Campo Alegre.
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