Lope de Vega Theatre, Valladolid facts for kids
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 Lope de Vega Theatre
Location in Spain
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| Address | Valladolid Spain |
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| Coordinates | 41°39′00″N 4°43′51″W / 41.65009°N 4.73082°W |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1861 |
| Architect | Jerónimo de la Gándara |
The Lope de Vega Theatre (Teatro Lope de Vega) is a famous theatre in Valladolid, Spain. It is located on María de Molina street. The theatre first opened its doors in 1861. It was designed by a talented architect named Jerónimo de la Gándara.
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About the Lope de Vega Theatre
The Lope de Vega Theatre has a long and interesting history. It started as a simple outdoor space for plays. Over time, it grew into the grand building we know today.
A Look Back: Its Early Days
Back in the 1600s, the spot where the theatre stands was an open-air patio. It had a stage for actors and covered areas for people to watch. In the 1700s, a roof was added to this patio. It became known as the Plaza de la Comedia. This building was used until 1856. By then, it was quite old and falling apart. People decided it was time for a brand new theatre. Jerónimo de la Gándara was chosen to design this new building.
Design and Changes Over Time
The new Teatro Lope de Vega opened on December 8, 1861. Its front, or facade, was fixed up in 1920. It has a classic look with two levels. Each level has three arches. Above them is a triangular part called a pediment. This pediment holds a special medallion. It shows the face of Lope de Vega, a famous writer. The sculpture was made by Ponciano Ponzano. Later, a modern iron and glass roof was added over the entrance. The theatre was updated again in 1960. It then worked as both a cinema and a theatre. However, it closed its doors on April 30, 2000.
Recent History and Restoration Efforts
In April 2006, a bank called Caja Duero bought the theatre. It was quite run-down at the time. The bank paid seven million euros for it. By March 2007, experts thought it would cost another seven million euros to fix it up. Because of the high cost, work on the theatre was delayed. In August 2008, the bank's president said they had an offer. Someone wanted to buy the theatre. They planned to turn it into a place for games and entertainment.
However, the mayor of Valladolid, Francisco Javier León de la Riva, had other plans. In August 2008, he said he was sure that a big restoration project would start. This project aimed to bring the historic building back to life. The Caja Duero bank supported this plan. Many people in the community also wanted to see the theatre restored.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Lope de Vega (Valladolid) para niños
