Teatro Colón, Lima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Colón Theatre |
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Teatro Colón
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The building in 2013
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| General information | |
| Status | Closed |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Location | San Martín Plaza |
| Construction started | 1911 |
| Construction stopped | 1914 |
| Inaugurated | January 18, 1914 |
| Closed | 2004 |
| Management | Ministry of Culture |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Claude Sahut |
The Colón Theatre (also known as Teatro Colón in Spanish) is an old and important building in Lima, Peru. It is located right next to San Martín Plaza, which is a famous part of Lima's historic downtown.
This theatre was once owned by a company called Teatros y Cinemas Ltda. Building the theatre started in 1911. It officially opened its doors on January 18, 1914.
Contents
History of the Colón Theatre
Before the Colón Theatre was built, the land it stands on had a different owner. In the mid-1800s, a man named José Manuel Alejo de Hurtado owned the property. Over time, the land was sold to different people. Finally, in 1911, the company Teatros y Cinemas Ltda. bought it.
Building the Theatre
After buying the land, the company began building the theatre. The main architect was Claude Sahut, who was from France. Claude Sahut was a well-known architect who designed many buildings in Lima during the 1910s and 1920s.
From Plays to Movies
The Colón Theatre was finished in 1914. Its very first play was called "Los Fantoches" (The Puppets). A group called the "Fabregas" Theater Company performed it. In its early years, the theatre hosted many different shows. Both Peruvian and international theatre groups performed there.
However, things started to change around 1921. The theatre began showing films. Slowly, it showed fewer plays and more movies. By 1927, the Colón Theatre was only showing films. It had become a movie theatre.
Changes and Updates
In 1936, the theatre went through a big renovation. Inside, some of the private box seats on the first and second floors were removed. The dome, which was a round roof, was also taken away. An extra floor was added to the building. All these changes were made to help the building work better as a movie theatre. They also made it look more modern, fitting in with other buildings nearby.
In 1972, the government of Peru, led by General Juan Velasco Alvarado, took ownership of the theatre. Later, the Colón Theatre was declared a National Monument. This means it became a protected part of Peru's cultural history.
Later Years and Closure
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Colón Theatre, like some other venues in Lima, faced challenges. Due to economic problems, it started showing different types of films.
In 2000, city officials decided to close the theatre. They said it was affecting the look of the city and good behavior. However, the owners did not agree. So, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima closed the doors and facilities by boarding them up.
In 2004, the Colón Theatre was put up for auction by the city. The Theater Directorate of the Ministry of Culture bought it.
In March 2005, a group called "Proyecto Cultural Colón Theater" (Colón Theatre Cultural Project) was formed. This group aims to fix up the theatre, which was in bad condition. Their goal is to turn it back into a cultural space for everyone to enjoy.
Theatre Design
The day after the Colón Theatre opened, a newspaper called El Comercio wrote about it. They said the theatre was "small, but elegant." They also mentioned its "simple and artistic" decoration. The newspaper praised the architect, Claude Sahut, for creating such an elegant building in a small space. They said it was a beautiful addition to the capital city.
Today, the Colón Theatre building is located on the Jirón de la Unión street. It is directly across from San Martín Plaza. It stands between the Giacoletti Building and the Club Nacional.
When it was at its best, the Colón Theatre could hold 940 people. Here is how the seats were divided:
- Parterre (main floor): 305 seats
- Gallery (upper level): 400 seats
- Boxes (private sections): 217 seats
- Balcony (upper level): 18 seats
See also
- Plaza San Martín, Lima
