Teatre Modern

Teatre Modern in El Prat de Llobregat is a former cinema turned municipal theatre, one of the few surviving pieces of 1930s civic architecture in this Catalan town just outside Barcelona. The building stands on Plaça de la Vila, right in the town centre, and has served as a performance venue for local residents for decades.

Where does the name Teatre Modern come from?

The name traces back to an earlier entertainment hall on the same site known as La Moderna, active from the early 20th century. It belonged to the Vallhonrat family, who worked in the esparto trade (a fibre once used for weaving ropes and baskets). In 1906 the family asked the town council for permission to build a dance hall called Sala Moderna. The building visitors see today came later, in 1930, when it was rebuilt as Cine Moderno, a cinema that carried on the name and role of its predecessor.

What does the building look like, and who designed it?

The architect behind the project was Emilio Gutiérrez Díaz. He gave the cinema a distinctly neoclassical character, visible in the fluted pilasters on the façade, the ornamental oculus crowning the front, and the decorative window surrounds. This style, blending classical proportions with the local taste of the 1920s and 1930s, was common in Catalan towns raising new public buildings at the time. The building is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage as an example of eclectic architecture from that period.

Why did the cinema serve as a church for a while?

One of the more unusual chapters in the building's history unfolded after 1936. When the town's parish church burned down during the civil war, residents of El Prat needed a temporary place of worship. The old cinema hall was pressed into service for religious ceremonies until the parish church could be rebuilt. This episode shows how flexibly public buildings were repurposed during the difficult postwar reconstruction period.

When did the cinema become a theatre?

The turning point came in 1991, when the building passed into the ownership of the El Prat de Llobregat town council. Local authorities decided to convert the former cinema hall into a municipal theatre, suited to staging plays, concerts and other cultural events. Since then, Teatre Modern has functioned as one of the town's main cultural venues, combining the building's historic fabric with a modern artistic programme.

What should visitors look out for at Teatre Modern?

Visitors interested in architecture should focus on the façade, which best captures the character of a building now close to a century old. It's also worth noting the location: Plaça de la Vila, the square where the theatre stands, is the natural centre of El Prat de Llobregat, close to other public buildings. El Prat de Llobregat itself sits right next to Barcelona-El Prat airport, making a visit easy to combine with a layover or a short stay in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can Teatre Modern be visited outside of scheduled events? The building operates as an active theatre with a running programme, so access to the interior is usually tied to buying a ticket for a specific performance or event.

Is the building protected as heritage? Yes, it is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, confirming its historical and architectural value.

How far is it from central Barcelona? El Prat de Llobregat borders Barcelona directly and sits next to the international airport, making it an easy and quick place to reach by public transport or car.