Teatre Conservatori

Teatre Conservatori is a historic theatre in the heart of Manresa, the capital of the Catalan comarca of Bages. Listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the building stands on the site of a former Dominican convent and has served as the city's theatre stage for well over 140 years, despite starting out with a very different purpose in mind.

Where does the theatre's name come from?

The building occupies the grounds of the former Sant Domènec convent, once home to a Dominican community. Following Spain's 1835 disentailment of church property, the convent complex passed into state hands. Manresa's city council then petitioned the central government to hand the building over to the municipality, committing to turn it into a "Conservatorio de música y declamación" — a conservatory of music and declamation. That plan is the reason for the name that has stuck ever since, even though the music conservatory itself gave way to a theatre long ago.

When was the current building opened?

The theatre opened its doors on 9 November 1878, built to a design by architect Josep Torres i Argullol on the former convent cloister. It has functioned as Manresa's theatre stage ever since, and its 19th-century character has survived well enough, despite various internal changes over the decades, to earn a place in Catalonia's catalogue of architectural heritage.

What does the interior look like, and how many people can it seat?

The auditorium follows the classical Italian theatre layout, with horseshoe-shaped seating facing the stage. Teatre Conservatori holds 429 spectators, and the stage covers roughly 140 square metres. Visitors often remember the closeness between the seating and the stage, which gives the room an intimacy rarely found in larger venues. The building underwent its last major refurbishment in 2016, updating its technical facilities while keeping the historic interior intact.

Who runs the theatre today, and what can you see there?

Teatre Conservatori is now part of Kursaal — Espai d'Arts Escèniques Manresa, the municipal body that runs the city's theatre and music programming. Its calendar includes theatre productions, concerts and dance performances, and the hall is also used for local festivals and gala events. The venue belongs to the Apropa Cultura network, which helps people at risk of social exclusion access cultural events through adapted conditions and ticket pricing. The building has an accessible entrance, accessible toilets and wheelchair spaces, making it one of the more accessible cultural venues in Manresa.

Where exactly is it located?

The theatre stands at Carrer del Mestre Blanch 4, in central Manresa (postcode 08240), in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Its location in the historic town centre makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the rest of Manresa's old town.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name "Teatre Conservatori" come from? The name recalls the building's original purpose: the city took it over from the state on condition it be turned into a conservatory of music and declamation, though it later developed into the city's theatre.

When did the theatre open? The current building opened on 9 November 1878, designed by architect Josep Torres i Argullol.

How many seats does the theatre have? The auditorium seats 429 people, with a stage area of about 140 square metres.

Who manages the theatre today? Teatre Conservatori is run by Kursaal — Espai d'Arts Escèniques Manresa, the institution responsible for the city's performing arts programme.

Is the theatre accessible to visitors with disabilities? Yes — the venue has an accessible entrance, accessible toilets and dedicated wheelchair spaces.