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Teatro de la Zarzuela
The Teatro de la Zarzuela opened its doors on 10 October 1856, coinciding with Isabella II's birthday, to a design by Jerónimo de Gándara inspired by La Scala in Milan: a horseshoe-shaped hall with three tiers of boxes. A fire, attributed to a newly installed steam heating system, destroyed it almost completely on the night of 8 November 1909; only the façade, the vestibule and the load-bearing walls were left standing. It was rebuilt under the direction of Cesáreo Iradier and reopened in February 1913. Declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1994, it is on Calle de Jovellanos, next to the small square dedicated to the mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza. With 1,242 seats, it programmes mainly zarzuela and Spanish opera, as well as dance by the Compañía Nacional de Danza and the Ballet Nacional. Its bar, the ambigú, hosts small concerts as part of the «Notas Ambigú» series.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Teatro de la Zarzuela: 3 missions
- Take the guided tour and enter the horseshoe hallSign up for the free guided tour on Saturdays at 12:00 (no prior booking) and, from the stalls, take in the horseshoe-shaped plan with its three tiers of boxes.
- Look for Manuel Castellano's ceiling paintingDuring the tour, find on the hall's ceiling the painting by Manuel Castellano, part of the original decoration of the 1856 theatre.
- Identify what survived the 1909 fireIn the vestibule, find the elements saved from the 1909 fire, among them the façade and part of the vestibule of the original 1856 theatre.
Near Teatro de la Zarzuela
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Teatro de la Zarzuela?
Visiting Teatro de la Zarzuela is free.
What are the opening hours of Teatro de la Zarzuela?
Visitas guiadas gratuitas los sábados a las 12:00, sin reserva previa. Taquilla: lunes a viernes 11:00-19:30; sábados 14:30-19:30; domingos y festivos 14:30-18:00.
How much time do you need for Teatro de la Zarzuela?
Allow about 1 h for the visit.
What is there to do at Teatro de la Zarzuela?
Take the guided tour and enter the horseshoe hall, Look for Manuel Castellano's ceiling painting and Identify what survived the 1909 fire.
What is there to see near Teatro de la Zarzuela?
Congreso de los Diputados (96 m), Círculo de Bellas Artes (129 m) and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (202 m).