Teatro Principal

Teatro Principal is the oldest working theatre in Santiago de Compostela and one of the anchors of the city's cultural life. The building stands at Rúa Nova 21, right in the historic centre, only a short walk from the cathedral. For close to two centuries it has hosted plays, concerts and film screenings that draw both local residents and visitors to Galicia.

How old is Teatro Principal?

When was it built?

The theatre was designed by architect Manuel Prado y Vallo and completed in 1841. It opened on 26 April 1841, a date the city marked with special celebrations in 2016 for the venue's 175th anniversary. Through the following decades of the 19th century, the theatre became the main stage for opera and zarzuela in Santiago, with the genre's peak years falling between 1875 and 1900 before gradually giving way to other forms of entertainment.

What does the building look like?

Teatro Principal follows the Italianate model common to 19th-century opera houses, with a horseshoe-shaped auditorium, tiered boxes and ornate decoration typical of theatres from that period. The most significant renovation took place in 1988, when the technical infrastructure was modernised and accessibility improved, while the original layout of the auditorium and its historic interior were preserved.

What happens at Teatro Principal today?

What kind of programme does it run?

The theatre is now owned by the city of Santiago de Compostela and serves as its main municipal stage. Its current programme includes drama, dance performances, concerts, conferences, award ceremonies and public appearances by Galician artists. Productions are staged bilingually, in Galician and Spanish, reflecting the local audience.

Which film festivals take place here?

Teatro Principal is one of the principal venues for Cineuropa, a festival dedicated to European cinema, and for Curtocircuíto, which focuses on short films. Outside the festival calendar, the theatre also runs monthly themed screenings of films in their original language with subtitles, a fixture that has built a loyal following among Santiago residents.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Teatro Principal located? The theatre is on Rúa Nova 21, one of the main streets of Santiago de Compostela's historic centre, a short distance from the cathedral.

How many seats does the auditorium have? The auditorium seats around 400 people, spread across the stalls, the boxes and the upper tier.

Who designed the building? The building was designed by architect Manuel Prado y Vallo and completed in 1841.

Has the theatre been renovated? Yes, the most important renovation was carried out in 1988, updating the technical infrastructure while keeping the historic character of the interior intact.

Who owns and runs the theatre? Teatro Principal belongs to the city of Santiago de Compostela and is managed by the municipal cultural authorities.