Palacio Valdés Theatre
Encyclopedia
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
, Principality of Asturias in Northern Spain.
The building was designed by the architect Manuel del Busto at the beginnings of the 20th century. This architect planned a theatre in Neobaroque style with longitudinal layout, in parallel to the front façade because of the technical problems related to the chosen location.
The 'First Stone' solemn act took place on 5 August 1900. Clarín, the famous writer was one of the most important people who attended that event. Mainly because of economical problems, the works had to stop several times so that the building was not finished until 20 years later. The inauguration act took place in 1920, when the building received the name of the famous writer Armando Palacio Valdés
Armando Palacio Valdés
Armando Palacio Valdés was a Spanish novelist and critic.-Biography:Valdés was born at Entralgo in the province of Asturias on the October 4, 1853.His first writings were printed in the Revista Europea...
, "hijo adoptivo" of the town, who attended the first performance.
The theatre was opened between 1920 and 1972, with all sort of performances. It was also used as a cinema. It was closed from 1972 until 1992. Once restored, it started a second, successful life.
On 28 December 1982 it was declared "Bien de Interés Cultural
Bien de Interés Cultural
A Bien de Interés Cultural is a category of the Spanish heritage register. This category dates from 1985 when it replaced the former heritage category of Monumento nacional in order to extend protection to a wider range of cultural property...
", in the "Monument" category
At present, it is part of the "La red nacional de teatros".
The building
A U-shaped auditorium with different floors and boxes.747 people is its maximum capacity.