Corral de Comedias, Almagro

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The only one of its kind in the entire world, the Corral de Comedias (Open Air Comedy Theatre) in Almagro, was declared a Monument in 1955. Built in the 16th century with the double function of being a tavern and corral de farsa (open air farce theatre), it is still used as a stage today. It is the centrepiece of the Almagro International Classical Theatre Festival, which brings together the best national and international artists every July.

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Contact address for Corral de Comedias

Plaza Mayor, 18, 13270
Almagro (Ciudad Real)

Phone: 926861539

Fax: 926860717

Email: info@ciudad-almagro.com

Website: www.almagro.es/

Location

On one side of the Plaza Mayor.

Type of monument: Civil Architecture

History: It is given the name “corral” because both the profane and religious roving theatre performances, were held in the corrals or patios of the inns. The Almagro corral was located in the Mesón de la Plaza or Posada de Comedias (Comedies Inn).

The exact construction date is not known, but the design corresponds to the late-16th century or early-17th century and it is the only theatre of that era that retains its original structure.

Period: 16th to 17th century.

How to get there: Road transport

The Almagro Corral de Comedias is the only 17th century theatre that retains its original structure.

It has an entrance hall with “morrillo” (naturally rounded stone) cobbles and a coffered ceiling with wooden rafters, that served as a dining area, and which gives way to the three sidedpatio-corral, measuring around 300 m2, surrounded by 54 wooden supports and beams. The lower ones on stone bases to protect them from the damp. The pit is preserved on the right hand side.

At the far end is the two-tier stage, typical of the ideas of the baroque movement, decorated with rosettes and theatre boxes with latticework or wooden arches for the high social classes.

Opposite the stage is the so-called cazuela (pan), for the women, with its own entrance and an independent staircase, which currently communicates with the other galleries. Behind the stage, the dressing rooms retain their original structure.

On the stage there are performances almost everyday of the works of classic authors from the Golden Age, that are perfectly housed on this superb stage.

Timetables: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm (October to March) or 5pm to 8pm (April to June and September), or 6pm to 8m (July and August)
Sundays, 11am to 2pm.
Closed: Mondays, 24th, 25th, 31st December and 1st January.