Sala La Planeta

Sala La Planeta is an independent theatre in Girona that has been running since 1987 inside a building whose earlier lives — dance hall, espadrille factory, bus garage — leave almost no trace of today's cultural use.

Where is the building and why the name?

The venue stands at Passeig de Canalejas 3 in Girona, in the Eixample Nord–Devesa area, close to the Devesa park and the historic centre. The name "La Planeta" comes from the building's earlier industrial use and stuck even after its function changed completely.

Who designed the building and what was it built for?

The building was designed in 1925 by architect Joan Roca i Pinet. It opened as a dance hall attached to the Teatre Albéniz and next to the Cinema Coliseu, meant purely as an entertainment venue, though not yet a theatre in today's sense.

How did a dance hall turn into a factory?

Only a year after it opened, in 1926, the interior was converted into the Gabaldà i Ferrer espadrille factory at the request of promoter Miquel Ferrer. Shoe production continued there for years, at least until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, showing how quickly the building's original purpose gave way to local industrial needs.

What happened to the building after that?

Once the factory closed, the building was used as a garage and bus station, specifically for the Sarfa company, which ran regional coach services. In the 1970s, owner Damià Ferrer sold the property, opening the door to its next transformation, this time into a cultural venue.

When did the building become a theatre?

The theatre, named Sala Planeta, opened in 1987 on the initiative of Pere Puig. Since then the space has run continuously as an independent stage for nearly forty years, an unusually long run for a privately managed venue of this size.

Who runs the venue and what is its character?

The space has been managed since its opening by the Grup Proscenium association, currently directed by Joan Ribas i Feixas. It operates as a private, independent cultural facility, which sets it apart from Girona's municipal theatres and allows for a more experimental programming line.

What can visitors see at Sala La Planeta?

The programme is varied, covering contemporary theatre, physical theatre, dance and performance art. Within Girona's performing-arts scene, the venue is known for staging less conventional work than the city's larger municipal stages, and its activity is also connected to Girona's Temporada Alta theatre festival.

Who is this venue for?

Sala La Planeta appeals to visitors interested in experimental theatre and contemporary dance, as well as to anyone curious about a building whose industrial past is hidden behind its current cultural role. It's a solid choice for visitors to Girona looking for an alternative to the city's more classical theatre offering.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sala La Planeta located? At Passeig de Canalejas 3 in Girona, in the Eixample Nord–Devesa district, near Devesa park.

Since when has the building operated as a theatre? Since 1987, when an independent theatre was opened there on the initiative of Pere Puig.

What was the building used for before it became a theatre? Built in 1925 as a dance hall, it became an espadrille factory a year later and was later used as a garage and bus station for the Sarfa company.

Who manages Sala La Planeta? The Grup Proscenium association, currently directed by Joan Ribas i Feixas.

What kind of shows are staged there? Contemporary theatre, physical theatre, dance and performance pieces, often with an experimental character.