Teatre Auditori de Granollers

Teatre Auditori de Granollers is the main theatre and concert venue of Granollers, a town in the Vallès Oriental region of Catalonia, located on Torras i Bages street. The building combines a drama theatre, a concert hall and a community meeting space, hosting a full season of plays, concerts and cultural events every year.

How did the theatre come to be built?

The plot where the Auditori now stands once served a very different purpose — it was the site of the town's municipal slaughterhouse, which closed down in 1987. The Granollers city council saw an opportunity to turn the freed-up land into a modern cultural facility that would build on the performing arts programming the town already offered. The project was entrusted to local architect Josep Maria Botey. Seventeen years passed between the moment Botey handed over the finished design to the council and the day the building actually opened its doors — a long timeline typical of large, municipally funded cultural projects built in stages.

When did the theatre open?

The official inauguration took place on 15 February 2002. The first production staged for the public was "Ricardo y Elena" by Carles Santos, a Catalan composer and stage artist known for experimental, music-driven theatrical works. From that opening night onward, the Auditori began regularly hosting drama, concerts and dance performances, quickly establishing itself as one of the recognised performing arts venues both regionally and across Catalonia.

What can visitors find inside?

The complex is made up of several distinct spaces, each suited to a different scale of event. The Main Hall (Sala Gran) seats up to 700 people and hosts the largest productions — theatre plays, symphonic concerts and opera. Next to it sits the Small Hall (Sala Petita), a more intimate 221-seat space used for smaller-scale drama, independent productions and chamber music. In 2010 a third, multipurpose room was added to the complex, the Sala Oberta, which holds up to 150 people and is used for workshops, rehearsals and smaller events.

Who runs the theatre today?

The venue is managed by Granollers Escena SL, a public company owned by the town council. This keeps the Auditori firmly rooted as a public institution, with a programme that mixes large touring productions with initiatives supporting local artists and cultural education for Granollers residents.

Why combine a visit with a trip to Granollers?

Granollers, the capital of the Vallès Oriental region, sits only a short distance from Barcelona, making it an easy day-trip destination that pairs a theatre visit with a walk through the town's historic centre. The Auditori's contemporary, functional architecture stands in deliberate contrast to the older buildings of the old town, giving visitors a clear sense of the town's mix of past and present.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Teatre Auditori de Granollers open? The theatre was officially inaugurated on 15 February 2002, opening with a performance of "Ricardo y Elena" by Carles Santos.

Who designed the building? The building was designed by architect Josep Maria Botey; seventeen years passed between the completed design and the theatre's opening.

How many halls does the complex have, and what is their capacity? There are three halls: the Main Hall with 700 seats, the Small Hall with 221 seats, and the Sala Oberta, added in 2010, with room for 150 people.

What stood on the site before the theatre was built? The site previously housed the town's municipal slaughterhouse, which closed in 1987.

Who manages the Auditori today? It is run by Granollers Escena SL, a public company owned by the Granollers town council.