Teatro 3 de Febrero, National historic theatre in Paraná, Argentina

Teatro 3 de Febrero is the main theatre of Paraná, Argentina, named after the Battle of Caseros of 3 February 1852. The building, declared a National Historic Monument in 2008, contains the main hall, a VIP room created for the 1994 Constitutional Convention, the Luis Sandrini room and a foyer.

The theatre was inaugurated on 8 August 1852 with a speech by delegated governor Antonio Crespo. Its first public performance, staged before the opening, was the four-act verse drama "Urquiza o la muerte", performed by the Sociedad Dramática Entre-Riana led by José Quirce until early 1854. It predates Montevideo's Teatro Solís and Buenos Aires's first Teatro Colón. It was declared a National Historical Monument on 10 March 2008 by Decree 390/2008.

The Teatro 3 de Febrero is the main stage for live performance in Paraná, drawing local audiences throughout the year. Dance recitals, concerts, theatre productions, and comedy shows take place here, making it a regular gathering point for the city.

The building sits in downtown Paraná and is easy to reach on foot from most central points. Since the programme changes with each event, it is worth checking what is on before your visit, either locally or online.

The facade is divided into three levels with large pilasters and doors and windows decorated with ornamental details, giving the exterior a layered look that is unusual for the region's 19th-century buildings. This eclectic style makes it worth pausing outside before going in, as the street view tells a different story from the interior.