Theatre in Cadiz has been a tradition among locals for centuries. Even today the theatres in Cadiz still play an important part in the city.
The Roman theatre of Cádiz is an ancient structure in Cádiz, Andalusia, southern Spain. The remains (only partially excavated) were discovered in 1980. The theatre, which was likely built during the 1st century BC and was one of the largest ever built in the Roman empire. It was abandoned in the 4th century AD and was sacked from the following century, although in the late Roman period, medieval Islamic and Christian, the remains of the structure were used as warehouses, stables, and some as houses. In the 13th century a fortress was built on its ruins by order of King Alfonso X of Castile.
The theatre of Cadiz, being very old, retains many characteristics of the Greek theaters, though with adaptations made by the Romans. The theatre featured a cavea with a diameter of more than 120 meters, and could house some 20,000 spectators. It was one of the few Roman structures of ancient Hispania mentioned by classical authors, including Cicero and Strabo. Excavations in the site have also found remains of a quarter dating to the taifa period, Almohad houses and 17th century pits. The theater is currently considered the oldest and largest of Hispania, a great example of the splendor that once lived in Cadiz in classical antiquity.
After a painstaking process of restoration and refurbishment currently the building is perfectly suitable for visits, constituting a significant example of integration of archaeological remains in the urban fabric of the city of Cadiz.
The Gran Teatro Falla is the main theatre in the city of Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain. It is located in Falla Square, and next to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cádiz.
Construction of the theatre began in 1884, following plans by architect Adolfo Morales de los Ríos. It was based on the foundation of the previous Gran Teatro de Cádiz, a wooden building designed by García del Álamo and built in 1871, but which had burned in 1881. In 1886 the city government took over direction of the project, which proceeded only intermittently due to lack of funds. The theatre was completed in 1905. It was renamed after composer and native son of Cadiz Manuel de Falla.
Every February the Gran Teatro Falla forms an integral part of Art and Culture and is the site of the artistic competitions of the Carnival of Cádiz. During repairs and restoration from 1987 to 1991, those competitions were held instead at the now-defunct Teatro Andalucía. Through the rest of the year, the theatre hosts all manner of shows, such as plays or concerts.
The Baluarte de la Candelaria is another spot where you can see live plays and concerts. Although not strictly a theatre it does act as one due to its use as a cultural space. Originally it acted as defense of the modern Cadiz. It also was used as a barracks and an arsenal of engineers.
Taking advantage of a high point of land, it was built in 1672 at the initiative of the governor Diego Caballero de Illescas. It is protected by a sturdy wall with its canyons overlooking the port access of the channel.
Refurbished and currently used as a cultural space, it was thought that it would be a Museum of the Sea and therefore in that place it reopened with that name. Now it is used to host permanent exhibitions.
