The Teatro Thuillier reopens in Caravaca de la Cruz this weekend
The historic theatre was built in the heart of Caravaca in 1843
Work has now been completed on the restoration and upgrading of the historic Teatro Thuillier in Caravaca de la Cruz and the theatre is all set to reopen on Saturday 7th February with a performance of “Lo Más Hermoso Todavía’ by the Alquibla Teatro company at 19.30.
The work carried out includes the installation of a modern system of fire prevention and detection which includes a water deposit under the stage as well as extinguishers, emergency signposting and emergency exits on all three floors. In addition, the air conditioning and heating systems have been brought up to date and the entire theatre has been repainted and decorated over the last few months.
All of this has required an investment of 100,000 euros, financed with the help of the regional government.
Dating all the way back to 1843, the Teatro Thuillier immediately became one of the most important buildings in the historic centre of Caravaca when it waws built on the site of the old “Patio de Comedias” and has been declared an Item of Cultural Interest. It saw the arrival of the first cinematic projections in the city in 1901, two years before it was renamed after the actor Emilio Thuillier in recognition of his close ties with Caravaca.
The building was designed in the Italian style of its time and is representative of theatre architecture in the Region of Murcia during the 19th century, with a seating capacity of 426. Although the exterior is fairly modest, inside it is a splendid venue for all kinds of dramatic, musical and cinematographic shows.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.
Address
Calle De Las Monjas, 19, 30400 CARAVACA DE LA CRUZTel: 968 702424 / 968 701003
Caravaca de la Cruz tourist office
More information about the places of interest which can be visited in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz, along with what's on and local news can be found in the Caravaca Today.
Caravaca de la Cruz, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, is one of only 5 Holy Cities in the Roman Catholic world, a centre of pilgrimage, along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liebana, and is home to the Cross of Caravaca, the Vera Cruz.
The status of Holy City was bestowed by Pope John Paul II in 1998, granting the City a Permanent Jubilee year every 7 years for perpetuity, the first one held in 2003 and the next in 2024.
The strategic and natural advantages of Caravaca de la Cruz have attracted the attention of settlers for more than 800,000 years, the Cueva Negra yielding remains of Homo Heidelbergensis, forbears of the Neanderthals and the municipality also houses important archaeological remains from the Argaric, Iberian and Roman cultures. many of these can be seen in the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
As a border town caught between the Catholic forces of Castille and the last remaining Moorish stronghold in Spain, Granada, Caravaca had a turbulent medieval history, but it was during this period that the legend of the Cross of Caravaca was born, bringing the religious orders which shaped the structure of Caravaca today, with its impressive hilltop castle and eclectic collection of churches and monasteries, religious tourism today being a backbone of the town´s economy.
Caravaca de la Cruz is a municipality with important natural resources, including extensive forests, part of which have protected status due to their wealth of flora and fauna, and due to the abundant water supplies is also a major area for canned fruit production, apricots in particular being an important crop.
Caravaca is renown for its important May Fiestas, held in honour of the Vera Cruz, which also incorporate the Moors and Christians celebrations and the Running of the Wine Horses.
Caravaca de la Cruz is also the home of Europe´s largest collection of ethnic instruments at Barranda, the Museo de Música Étnica Barranda and is the location of the Barranda festival de Cuadrillas, which celebrates the Region's ethnic music traditions.
The municipality is home to around 26,000 inhabitants and shares boundaries with Moratalla, Cehegín, Lorca, Puebla de Don Fadrique in the province of Granada and Vélez-Blanco in the province of Almería.
Tourist office opening times:
Weekdays: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Saturdays: 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Sundays and public holidays: 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Caravaca de la Cruz Tourist Office
