Gran Teatre del Liceu

El Raval, Spain

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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The Gran Teatre del Liceu is Barcelona's oldest theater still in active use, situated on La Rambla in the El Raval district. Designed by Josep Oriol Mestres i Esplugas in eclectic style, it was founded in 1837 at another location before opening at its current address on 4 April 1847. The theater was reconstructed following major fires in 1861 and 1994, reopening on 20 April 1862 and 7 October 1999 respectively. With a capacity of 2,338 seats, it held the distinction of being Europe's largest opera house by capacity from 1847 until 1989. The building's history includes the tragic 1893 anarchist bombing that killed approximately twenty people on opening night. Now a Cultural Asset of National Interest, the Liceu has been owned by a public foundation since 1994 and maintains its own choir, symphony orchestra, and conservatory.