Arriaga Theatre

Bilbao's Arriaga Theatre was built in the 19th century by the local architect Joaquín Rucoba. Its construction took from 1886 to 1890.

Some years later the building caught fire and had to be restored.

Paris Opera House was used as the inspiration to design the facades. This influence is visible in the main facade and in the decorative elements.

The main facade has two polygonal towers and it is divided into three parts: the base with the access and the mezzanine, the shaft that corresponds to the theatre itself and the attic that houses the clock.

Its horseshoe plan is typical of the Italian theatre tradition. In order to fight fire, iron was used in the structure. However, a huge blaze damaged the interior of the building in 1914. The structure was restored five years later and the original facade was preserved. Between 1982 and 1986 the theatre underwent another restoration, when the imperial staircase was built that gave the house a majestic touch.

The theatre owes its name to Bilbao's composer Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga.