Guide to Teatro Arriaga Antzokia

The Teatro de la Villa was founded in 1834 to serve as the city's primary venue for stage performances. It was eventually deemed unsuitable due to the damage sustained during the Carlist Wars and population growth, leading to plans for a replacement.

Following the deterioration of the original city theatre, municipal authorities made the formal decision to construct a new venue in 1882 to better serve the expanding population of Bilbao.

The current building, designed by architect Joaquín Rucoba in a Neo-Baroque style, was officially inaugurated on May 31, 1890, after a four-year construction period.

Although initially known as the Nuevo Teatro de Bilbao, the venue first appeared under the name Teatro Arriaga in newspaper performance announcements in 1902. It was named in honor of the renowned Basque composer Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga.

The theatre suffered a catastrophic fire in 1914, requiring a full reconstruction effort led by architect Federico de Ugalde. The building was successfully reopened to the public on June 5, 1919.

After the severe Bilbao flooding in August 1983 caused damage to the structure, the theatre underwent a major restoration project led by architect Francisco Hurtado de Saracho. The project included the addition of an imperial staircase and concluded with a reopening on December 5, 1986.

The building's exterior underwent a comprehensive restoration between 1999 and 2000 to repair damage caused by pollution, salts, and moisture. Work included cleaning surfaces, structural reinforcement of sculptures, and the replacement of deteriorated joints and mortars.