Teatro Romea

Teatro Romea is one of Spain's most storied theatres and the main stage of Murcia, standing on Plaza de Julián Romea in the heart of the city's historic quarter.

Where is Teatro Romea and how do you get there?

The theatre sits right in central Murcia, surrounded by the narrow streets of the old town, an easy walk from the cathedral and the city's main promenades. Its location (roughly 37.987 N, -1.131 E) puts it within reach of nearly every walking route through historic Murcia, making it a natural stop whether or not you have tickets to a show.

Why is it called Teatro Romea?

The building opened its doors in 1862 under the name Teatro de los Infantes. Spain's 1868 revolution brought a change of name to Teatro de la Soberanía Popular, reflecting the political mood of the era. It wasn't until 1872 that the theatre finally took the name it carries today, honouring Julián Romea, a celebrated actor born in Murcia who had built his reputation on stages across Spain.

What has the building been through?

The nineteenth century was rough on the theatre - fire struck twice, in 1877 and 1899. After the second blaze the interior was entirely rebuilt between 1899 and 1901, while the façade visitors see today dates from 1880. The next major turning point came in the 1980s, when the theatre underwent a thorough restoration and reopened in 1988 with Queen Sofía in attendance. A further renovation of both the exterior and interior wrapped up in 2012, giving the building the form it has today.

What has happened on its stage?

Teatro Romea carries real artistic weight. It hosted premieres of plays by Jacinto Benavente, one of Spain's leading twentieth-century playwrights and a Nobel laureate in literature, with the author himself often in the audience. In 1933 the stage welcomed La Barraca, the touring student theatre company led by Federico García Lorca - one of the best-known cultural projects of Spain's Second Republic.

What should you know before visiting?

Today the theatre serves as the region of Murcia's main venue for drama, concerts and cultural events, with a programme running throughout the season. For visitors, it's worth pausing to admire the nineteenth-century façade even without a ticket for that evening's performance - it's one of the architectural landmarks of the old town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Teatro Romea located? On Plaza de Julián Romea, in the historic centre of Murcia, close to the city's other main landmarks.

Where does the theatre's name come from? From Julián Romea, a Murcia-born actor honoured when the building was renamed in 1872; before that it had carried other names tied to Spain's political changes at the time.

Is the building still in its original nineteenth-century form? Only partly - the façade dates from 1880, but the interior was rebuilt after fires around the turn of the twentieth century, and the whole building was renovated again in the 1980s and in 2012.

Are there still performances at the theatre? Yes, Teatro Romea remains an active venue with a regular programme of theatre and concerts - it's worth checking the current schedule before visiting.