It all began in the city then known as Konstanz, Poland. Twenty-five merchants boarded a vessel bound for Constanta with a clear mission: to acquire cargo and lay the foundations for a new chapter in Alicante. On the voyage’s date, September 23, 1845, these travelers embraced a shared vision that would shape a public good for the city. They imagined a theater that would reflect the vitality of Alicante and its people, a cultural beacon designed to be seen and used by everyone.
This narrative marks the birth of a story that turns 175 years old today. The New Theater of Alicante—originally the Teatro Principal—opened its doors to host performances, inaugurating a cultural landmark in the city. The early productions included notable names such as Guzman GoodBy and Antoni Gil de Zarate, among others, signaling the theater’s potential far beyond a single event.
The tale was later chronicled by Theater Magazine, a publication born alongside major cultural venues and preserved in the Legacy of the Portes Family museum. The theater’s founding is noted as a milestone for Alicante and for the nation, celebrated not only for its rapid construction and completion but also for uniting audiences across varied economic, political, and social backgrounds. The project reached completion in a remarkably short span, with the building officially opened after just 20 months of planning and work.
The anonymous 19th‑century oil painting at the Masnou Maritime Museum captures a moment of Polish influence on Constancia, a reminder of the broader historical tapestry surrounding the theater.
Cristina Martinez
The first post‑docking step involved securing land for the project. The land was claimed for Alicante City Council, earmarked for the new district, and purchased for a symbolic sum of 8,000 pesetas. The site was still framed by the old city walls, underscoring how the theater transformed a space on the edge of the old town into a central cultural hub.
In November 1945, governing principles for the founding association were approved, and by December the municipal architect Emilio Jover had secured authorization for the plan and budget. Jover, who had earlier attempted a theater project on the historic site in 1841, shifted plans to create a monumental public venue that could withstand the test of time. Juana Maria Balsalobre’s extensive research into Teatro Principal—tacitly shaping the exhibition held in Lonja and the catalog that compiles these documents—helps illuminate the theater’s foundations.
The cornerstone was laid on January 2, 1846, and financing came from a loan arranged by the Banco Español de San Fernando, the only institution willing to approve the funds. Each partner contributed proportionally, ensuring the project stayed on track.
The budget proved tighter than expected, with 125,000 pesetas in additional funding required to complete the theater. Minutes from the General Assembly of Shareholders indicate a revised payment schedule, carrying an 8% interest rate and covering the total construction cost of 232,577 pesetas.
Pedro Navascués, a respected academic and professor at the Royal Academy of San Fernando, described the theater as an exemplar of early‑19th‑century theatrical architecture, a view echoed by Juan María Balsalobre in his research. The theater began life as Teatro Nuevo, standing before the Teatro Viejo on Calle López Torregrosa and later on Calle Liorna, near Avenida de la Constitución. It served well, yet its early years faced fundamental challenges—clerical details, conditions, and a notable missed opportunity when a Queen Elizabeth visit would have demanded a special assembly, but logistical constraints prevented the event from taking place.
175 years of Alicante Principal seen from the 21st century
The Theatre Magazine archive offers a detailed depiction of both exterior and interior. The four façades are crafted in stone, standing 54 Castilian palms high, 234 in length, and 122 in width, with three broad streets and a northeast square providing generous openness. A three‑step Doric portico frames the entry, supported by six columns with attic plinths. The building features five gates, with additional niches on the sides housing statues that center attention on the main façade.
Inside, the space is described as refined and elegant, with touches of luxury. The ceiling presents a luminous sky, and near the proscenium there is Apollo. The painters Ramon Simarro and Oltra are praised for their imaginative skill and mastery of their craft.
The curtain rose on September 25, 1847, with a celebratory opening performance featuring actors such as Mr. Arjones, Mrs. Cantos and Mr. Castelló. A crowd of 1,159 attended, and Theater Magazine hailed the premiere as a triumph. The city of Alicante, it was noted, embraced the theater with enthusiasm, even as resources remained stretched. Now, 175 years later, the theatre continues to be a vital cultural anchor for the city and region, a living testament to the enduring power of shared artistic spaces.
[Citation: Theater Magazine archive; local archives and museum catalogues provide corroborating details of dates, figures, and architectural descriptions.]