Teatro Campos Elíseos, Art Nouveau theatre in Abando district, Bilbao, Spain.
Teatro Campos Elíseos is an Art Nouveau theatre in the Abando neighbourhood, designed by Jean Batiste Darroquy and completed in 1902. Its interior follows a horseshoe-shaped layout with elaborate decorative elements adorning the entire facade.
The building opened in the early 1900s as a new artistic hub for Bilbao. The city purchased the deteriorating structure in 1991 and carried out extensive restoration of both the facade and interior that lasted until 2010.
Since it opened, this venue has hosted theatre productions, concerts, and dance performances that shaped the artistic life of the region. The presence of artists and audiences here has become part of the neighbourhood's character and identity.
The venue sits on Calle Bertendona 3 bis in a busy part of the city and is easy to locate. Visitors can book guided tours in English, Spanish, and Basque language, and advance reservations are recommended.
Local people affectionately call this building The Chocolate Box because of its exterior shape and ornate decorations. This nickname has remained part of everyday speech and reflects the fondness the community has for this structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
