Teatro Municipal de Chillán, Municipal theatre in Chillán, Chile

The Teatro Municipal de Chillán is part of the city's Municipal Buildings complex at Dieciocho de Septiembre and Constitución, beside the Universidad del Bío-Bío extension centre and facing the Plaza de Armas. The modern building rises 22.19 metres over four floors, with 986 m² built: reinforced-concrete foundations, load-bearing walls and pillars, metal studwork, concrete floor slabs and a metal truss roof clad in metal.

The original theatre was destroyed in the 1939 earthquake while a film was showing to the audience. Architects Ricardo Müller and Enrique Cooper designed the reconstruction, which resulted in the modern building that stands today.

Between 1965 and 1973 a Peña Folklórica ran at one of the Constitución street entrances and drew a steady local crowd. Students later nicknamed the unfinished shell "El Siberia" for its cold. Since 2000 the theatre has hosted the Encuentro Internacional de Teatro para Chillán, first held in 1994 elsewhere in the city.

The building is located at the intersection of Dieciocho de Septiembre and Constitución streets, making it easy to find in the city. Visitors should check what shows are scheduled beforehand, as the programme varies throughout the year.

The renowned pianist Claudio Arrau performed his debut concert at the original theatre when he was just five years old. This early appearance marked the beginning of what would become an internationally celebrated career.