The Teatre Principal (in Catalan, or in Spanish ''Teatro Principal'') is the oldest theatre in

Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...

, founded in 1579, built between 1597 and 1603 and rebuilt several times, mainly in 1788 and again in 1848. The theatre was originally named the Teatro de la Santa Cruz in Spanish (or ''Teatre de la Santa Creu'' in Catalan). It is located on the famous avenue of '' La Rambla''. The theatre was founded by a donation of land and houses on the Rambla de Barcelona, made by

Joan Bosch Joan Bosch Palau (31 May 1925 - 17 November 2015) was a Spanish film director and screenwriter. In 1946 he travelled to Morocco to work as military at the same time he was directing ''Las aventuras del capitán Guido'' (1946). He returned to Ma ...

in favour of the Hospital of the Holy Cross, then the most important hospital in the city, to build a theatre in it. With the benefits of the plays and shows, the hospital could bear part of its expenses. For these benefits to be greater, the theatre would have the exclusive right to host theatrical performances in the city. On 27 October 1787 the theatre underwent a fire that completely destroyed it. Rebuilt thanks to the donations of nobles like the Marquess of Ciutadella and the Count of El Asalto, the new theatre, more sumptuous, was inaugurated on 4 November 1788. After three more fires and the opening of the Liceu opera house in 1847 the Teatro Principal fell into decadence. A popular campaign prevented it from demolition in 1889. In January 2006 it closed its doors as working theatre. It was the scene of the Spanish premieres on many plays and operas (since 1750 there was a stable opera season), and for the world premieres of Spanish works including operas by Ferran Sor, Vicenç Cuyàs or Ramon Carnicer.Harpers hand-book for travellers in Europe and the East ed. W.Pembroke Fetridge – 1881 "In addition to the Plaza de Toros, or bull-ring, there is the Teatro Principal, on the Rambla, for Spanish comedy and ballets, and the Teatro Romeo, for low comedy and farces."

References

1579 establishments in Spain Catalan music Ciutat Vella La Rambla, Barcelona Opera houses in Spain Theatres and concert halls in Barcelona Theatres completed in 1603 Theatres completed in 1729 Theatres completed in 1788 Music venues completed in 1788 Theatres completed in 1847 Music venues completed in 1847 Theatres completed in 1913 Music venues completed in 1913 Tourist attractions in Barcelona {{Europe-theat-struct-stub