The Arnau Theatre is one of the most iconic and historic buildings in Barcelona, a city located in northeastern Spain, known for its rich cultural and architectural heritage. This landmark theatre is located on the famous Paral·lel Avenue, a street traditionally associated with art, entertainment, and Barcelona’s nightlife. The Arnau first opened in 1894 as a simple wooden shack-style theatre, following a popular style of the time, characterized by its lightweight and modest structure, yet full of charm and authenticity.
Thanks to its early success, it was rebuilt in 1903 using sturdier and more permanent materials, quickly becoming one of the city’s most popular theatres throughout much of the 20th century. Its stage hosted a wide variety of performances: from variety shows and musical acts to movie screenings. Internationally renowned Spanish artists, such as Raquel Meller, performed at the Arnau, helping establish it as a cultural landmark of both Barcelona and Spain.
However, after decades of intense activity, the Arnau Theatre was forced to close in 2004 due to the building’s deterioration and financial issues. It remained closed for over twenty years, raising concern among neighbors, historians, and culture lovers, who feared that one of the city’s most iconic spaces might be lost forever.
Fortunately, in 2025, the Barcelona City Council approved the long-awaited project to renovate and restore this historic theatre. The renovation work, scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025, is expected to be completed by early 2027, bringing new life to the Arnau Theatre. The project’s goal is to preserve the building’s historical essence, carefully conserving original elements like its traditional wooden structure and complementing them with modern materials, such as exposed concrete, to ensure both safety and long-term durability.
Currently, even though the theatre remains closed as it awaits renovation, its exterior walls have become a popular spot for street artists who create murals that change over time. One recent example is a striking mural of a Renfe commuter train bound for “Barcelona,” painted with the fictional brand “Arnau,” a direct nod to the theatre’s name.
Additionally, something particularly curious that adds mystery and appeal to the site is the presence of a strange figure on the building’s facade: a creepy, childlike figure wearing a hood and sitting on some scaffolding, which might startle unsuspecting visitors at first glance. However, far from being a negative feature, this intriguing figure is part of the site’s unique charm, making it worth stopping by just to admire these unusual details from the outside.
When the Arnau Theatre reopens, it will become a multipurpose cultural venue, intended not only for performing arts, but also for cultural events and community activities that will actively involve residents and organizations from nearby neighborhoods such as Poble-sec, El Raval, and Sant Antoni. In this way, the theatre’s reopening will be part of a broader effort to revitalize the Paral·lel area both culturally and socially, reclaiming its historical legacy and encouraging a new era of community engagement.
The newly restored Arnau Theatre is set to become a must-see destination for anyone visiting Barcelona, whether from elsewhere in Spain or from abroad, offering a chance to discover a unique venue that connects the city’s artistic past with its vibrant cultural present.
Sources: first photo (and featured image) sourced from arquitecturaviva.com