Teatre Kursaal de Manresa

Teatre Kursaal de Manresa is a historic theatre building in the heart of Manresa, a Catalan city that has relied on this stage for nearly a century of public performances, screenings and community gatherings. After a long closure, the building is once again an active cultural venue.

Who built the Kursaal and when?

The theatre dates back to 1927, commissioned by the local businessman Andreu Cabot and designed by architect Josep Firmat i Serramalera. The building follows a restrained Noucentista style with some historicist touches, a combination typical of Catalan civic architecture of the period. At the time it opened, the Kursaal ranked among the largest theatres not just in Manresa but in the whole of Catalonia, with a stalls area seating around a thousand people plus boxes, an amphitheatre and a gallery, bringing total capacity above two thousand seats.

What was the theatre used for in its early years?

The grand opening took place in August 1927, timed to coincide with Manresa's annual Festa Major celebrations, and the inaugural show was a gala performance of Verdi's opera Aida. For its first decades the Kursaal operated mainly as a cinema, yet its programme went far beyond film screenings: the hall hosted plays, zarzuelas, operas, classical and popular music concerts, revue shows, dance performances, public talks and festivals. That broad mix of uses made it one of the central meeting points for culture in Manresa for a long stretch of the twentieth century.

Why did the theatre eventually close?

The Kursaal's standing as the city's leading performance venue faded through the 1970s and 1980s. Audiences dwindled as it was reduced to a second-tier cinema, while the building itself fell into gradual disrepair. That slow decline ended in the theatre's closure in 1988, and for nearly two decades the building sat unused.

How was the Kursaal brought back to life?

In the mid-1990s, the local cultural association El Galliner launched a campaign to save the building, winning backing from both the city administration and residents. That push eventually led to a full-scale renovation, and the restored theatre reopened its doors on 20 February 2007. The rehabilitation created a large main hall with more than 800 seats alongside a smaller, flexible room with room for around 200 people, allowing the venue to host anything from major productions to intimate shows and meetings.

Where is it and what should visitors know?

Teatre Kursaal sits in central Manresa, a city in the Barcelona province of Catalonia, Spain. Its location makes it an easy stop on foot for anyone exploring the historic centre alongside the town's other landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When was Teatre Kursaal de Manresa built?

It was built in 1927, designed by architect Josep Firmat i Serramalera and commissioned by businessman Andreu Cabot.

What kind of venue was it originally?

For its first decades it functioned mainly as a cinema, while also hosting operas, zarzuelas, concerts, revues and theatrical performances.

Why did the theatre close in 1988?

Years of declining audiences and a deteriorating building left it unable to keep operating, and it shut its doors in 1988.

When did the Kursaal reopen after renovation?

Following a campaign led by the cultural association El Galliner and a subsequent full renovation, the theatre reopened on 20 February 2007.

How many people can the current Kursaal seat?

After its renovation, the venue offers a large hall with more than 800 seats plus a smaller, multipurpose room for around 200 people.