National Theatre of El Salvador

Explore #36. May 23.

Is the oldest theatre in Central America. Its construction was started November 3, 1911, by the French architect Daniel Beylard; and inaugurated March 1, 1917. It is of French Renaissance style with modern touches. It was decorated by the Italian architect Lucio Capellaro, and its Great Hall is the most beautiful and elegant in Central America.

A competition was held to choose a design for the theatre. The prizes for the first two places were 8,000 and 4,000 Francs each. The entries were reviewed by a commission composed of the engineers José E. Alcaine, Luis Fleury, and Aurelio Fuentes. The 12 plans submitted were from the following countries: 5 from France, 2 from the United States, 1 from the Principality of Monaco, 1 from Italy, and 3 from El Salvador. The winning project was "Melpemone" by the French Architect Daniel Beylard. The construction contract was awarded to the Salvadoran firm Ferracutti y Cía.

After 59 years of constant activity, in 1976, a process of remodeling was begun under the direction of the Salvadoran architect, Ricardo Jiménez Castillo. Funds were provided by the Salvadoran government. Castillo hired a select group of contributors: Roberto Salomón, to establish the requirements of the contemporary stage; Simón Magaña, for the decoration; Carlos Cañas, for the elaboration of murals; and Margarita Álvarez de Martínez, for the masterful copper artwork that would adorn the doors to the theatre boxes. Afterwards artisans of Ilobasco joined the team and students of the then Bachillerato en Artes led by the master artisan Carlos Cañas.

Multiple architectural styles were enriched in the fusion of the construction of the National Theatre including: Versailles Style, Rococo, Romanticism, and Art Nouveau, with regional touches. Some of the furniture was elaborated in the shop of the theatre, the rest of the furniture, rugs, carpets, armchairs, and lecterns, were imported from the United States. The drop curtains of the stage and the lights of the boxes and halls, were brought from Austria.

In 1977, the master artisan Carlos Cañas painted the cupola of the great hall with the fresco entitled “El mestizaje cultural”, “The Cultural Convergence”, that occupies an area of 230 m2 approximately. Thanks to this work, the ambiance reminds you of the great hall of Palais Garnier , decorated with Chagall artwork. The reinauguration of the National Theatre took place November 5, 1978 with the presentation of the National Award of Culture, which was given to the great Antonio Salazar, and Dr. Julio Fausto Hernández. The following year, on February 16, 1979 it was declared a National Monument by the Legislative Assembly. Since then, it has maintained in constant activity with theatre, music, dance, recitals, conferences, and acts of great importance in the political and cultural life of El Salvador. In 1992, the government of Japan presented a modern sound and light system to the theatre.

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    René Aguiluz, Mario Pleitez, Neoslv - (M. G.), arturotreminio, and 101 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. Cesar Aguilar - [deleted] (49 months ago | reply)

    Muy bonita foto Calero, me gusta como te ha quedado, se ve super bien.

  3. René Aguiluz (49 months ago | reply)

    Excelente HDR, la trabajó normalmente con las 3 ó más fotos en diferentes valores de exposición no?
    Me encantan las hdr
    Saludos Calero :D

  4. Mario Pleitez (49 months ago | reply)

    Excelente Calero, un muy bien logrado HDR

  5. calerophotography.com (49 months ago | reply)

    Hola, gracias si fueron 3 con dif expo...

  6. Neoslv - (M. G.) (49 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called LO MEJOR DE FLICKEROS "EL SALVADOR" (SOLO FOTOS INVITADAS), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    Una belleza de fotografía, tanto por la técnica HDR como por la zona de la capital. Mis felicitaciones!

  7. rvsv - Rodolfo (49 months ago | reply)

    muy buena.-

  8. arturotreminio (49 months ago | reply)

    A masterpiece!

  9. wilber.elsalvador (49 months ago | reply)

    Muy buena.

  10. ` ®© ROBERTO CARBONI (49 months ago | reply)

    your hdr is hot congrats

  11. Luĭs Eduardo (49 months ago | reply)

    your hdr is fantastic

  12. crisangoz (49 months ago | reply)

    Amigo, que gran imagen, la secuencia me gusto.

  13. Rusty Russ (49 months ago | reply)

    Interesting place, and great HDR

  14. el ciclismo en el mundo (49 months ago | reply)

    bonitas fotos como todo lo suyo , pero no se olvide del idioma español !!

  15. Walkyman (49 months ago | reply)

    Excelente Imagen, lo mas impresionante es ver la acera de Teatro nacional libre de ventas, aun recuerdo cuando iba a almorzar hace muchos años al cafe teatro, aparte de saborear comida sabrosa, era economica, ademas habia musica en vivo que le daba un ambiente diferente al lugar, uno de mis lugares preferidos en esa epoca para almorzar en el centro de San Salvador.

    Saludos

  16. Roby R (49 months ago | reply)

    Definitivamente una foto hermosa e histórica.
    Quien sabe cuanto tiempo se vea esto así de aseado.

  17. <wikd> (49 months ago | reply)

    Excellent! Well deserved to be on explore!

  18. hurtadoc777 (49 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado All Memories Welcome! y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

    Excelente composición, colores y perspectiva!

    A qué horas la tomaste?

  19. hurtadoc777 (49 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado Through Your Eyes To Ours y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

  20. MY MONTREAL (47 months ago | reply)

    Calero aparte que la foto vale mucho, yo creo , que es mas la informacion sobre el teatro nacional que hace que esta foto sea una joya!
    Buen trabajo y gracias por la informacion.

  21. sonia furtado (47 months ago | reply)

    Thank You for sharing your memory !!!

    All Memories Welcome!

  22. MIMAMOR / (47 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado EL PULGARCITO DE AMERICA/ El Salvador (Cultura e Historia ) y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

  23. MIMAMOR / (47 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado EXPLORE WINNERS OF THE WORLD / Only Explore Photos(Agrega 1 Come y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

  24. MIMAMOR / (47 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado IMAGES OF EL SALVADOR ( Admin Invite Only) y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

  25. MIMAMOR / (47 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado PANORAMA FOTOGRAFICO(Agregar 1 Comentar 3 ) y nos encantaría agregar esto al grupo.

  26. MIMAMOR / (47 months ago | reply)


    Thank you for adding your photo to the group!!!
    Gracias por agregar tu foto aL grupo: !!!


    IMAGES OF EL SALVADOR ( Invitation Admin Only)
    Please TAG your photo ImagesofElSalvador
    www.flickr.com/groups/imagesofelsalvador/
    _____________________________________________ __

    GRACIAS POR AGREGAR TU FOTO A: !!!
    Thank you for adding your photo to the group !!!

    E l S A L V A D O R
    ETIQUETAR tu foto ElPulgarcitodeAmerica
    www.flickr.com/groups/elpulgarcitodeamerica/

  27. pizzodisevo (therapy - terapia - Therapie) (47 months ago | reply)


    Thank you for adding your photo to the group
    Gracias por agregar tu foto aL grupo:


    EXPLORE WINNERS OF THE WORLD ( Explore Photos Only)
    TAG your photo " ExploreWinnersoftheWorld "
    www.flickr.com/groups/explorewinnersoftheworl d/

  28. morito36pa (47 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called EL SALVADOR CENTRO AMERICA ( Post 1 Comment 2 ), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    sorprendente foto, felicidades

  29. morito36pa (47 months ago | reply)


    VISTA EN :

    E l Salvador Centro América
    Etiquetar tu foto " ElSalvadorCentroAmerica "
    www.flickr.com/groups/elsalvadorcentroamerica

  30. Sigfredo (The universe is totally amazing) (46 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called CENTRO_AMERICA, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  31. Sigfredo (The universe is totally amazing) (46 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called SALVADORENOS_ESTADOS UNIDOS, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  32. Sigfredo (The universe is totally amazing) (46 months ago | reply)

    Gracias por agregar tu foto a centro_america...................Thank for adding this photo to centro_america group

  33. Sigfredo (The universe is totally amazing) (46 months ago | reply)

    Gracias por agregar tu foto a SALVADORENOS_ESTADOS UNIDOS unidos...................Thank for adding this photo to SALVADORENOS_ESTADOS UNIDOS group

  34. sonia furtado (46 months ago | reply)

    Excelent. Congratulations!

    Thank You for sharing your memory !!!

    All Memories Welcome!

  35. Fufulula (45 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Top 20 Travel Pix ~ icon competition ~, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  36. Marta Elena (45 months ago | reply)

    Bonita Foto! nada q ver como se veia el teatro unos meses atras!

  37. Fufulula (45 months ago | reply)

    CONGRATULATIONS:
    Your photo has made it to the Top of the Top 20 in Top 20 Travel Pix Pool. You are now invited to post a medium size copy of Your photo in the Top of the Top 20 thread

  38. josemazcona (45 months ago | reply)

    GOLD STAR AWARD (invite needed)

    You are invited to add this exceptional image to
    GOLD STAR AWARD (invite needed)

    please add the tag GoldStarAward

  39. notsomuchtimeoff (45 months ago | reply)

    stunning!

    Seen in GOLD STAR AWARD
    GOLD STAR AWARD (INVITED PHOTOS ONLY)
    You get another gold star

  40. Valentí Parrilla Aixelà (45 months ago | reply)

    Fantástico panorama urbano, y un rincón bien lindo, enhorabuena!!!

    Seen in GOLD STAR AWARD
    GOLD STAR AWARD (INVITED PHOTOS ONLY)
    You get another gold star

  41. 84mambo [deleted] (44 months ago | reply)

    Good info Calero, since one almost never sees that particular type of architecture in Central America, it stands out. I enjoyed reading its history and I am glad it has contributed to San Salvador all these years. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

  42. 1fherr (43 months ago | reply)

    buena biejo t lusistes con esta foto esta buenissima!!!!!!

  43. redalert1 (43 months ago | reply)

    wow foto super linda !!

    me encanta el cielo esta tan dark :)

  44. rm996s (41 months ago | reply)

    Very Cool Picture!

    rm996s - View my most interesting photos on Flickriver

  45. Sigfredo (The universe is totally amazing) (41 months ago | reply)

    CENTRO_AMERICA - View this group's most interesting photos on Flickriver

  46. RIG PHOTOGRAPHY (40 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ESTAMPAS CENTROAMERICANAS - ESPIRITU DEL JAGUAR, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  47. VCK xD (40 months ago | reply)

    brings back memories [=

  48. Edgar-do (39 months ago | reply)

    Nice man, great to see the beauty of my country.
    Did you use HDR?? Nice editing. props

  49. calerophotography.com (39 months ago | reply)

    Yes, this is HDR

  50. RIG PHOTOGRAPHY (39 months ago | reply)

    HOY finaliza el reto de “templos, iglesias y catedrales coloniales”. Quiero saber si me puede “echar una manita” y hacerme la “campaña” con su participación con cualquiera de sus fotos que quepan dentro del tema: www.flickr.com/groups/centroamericanos/discus s/7215761504...

  51. jeneira79 (38 months ago | reply)

    Que hermoso es mi pais...soy orgullosa de ser Salvadoreña!!

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