Teatro Municipal, Opera house in São João del Rei, Brazil
The Teatro Municipal is a three-story theater building in São João del Rei featuring a Greek-Roman facade with sculpted faces representing drama, comedy, and tragedy carved into its exterior walls. Inside, the venue accommodates 480 upholstered seats, 190 wooden chairs, and ten private boxes for performances.
The building was constructed in 1893 to replace the collapsed Teatro São Joanense and underwent major renovations in 1913 under engineer Gabriel Galante's direction. These modifications shaped the theater's appearance as it stands today.
The building displays sculptures of Apollo and art muses on its roof, while inscriptions on the facade honor important theater figures from the past.
The theater is located at Avenida Hermilio Alves 170 in downtown São João del Rei, making it easily accessible to visitors exploring the city center. Visit on a late afternoon with good natural light to appreciate the architectural details of the facade and interior design.
The building served as the city's first permanent cinema venue starting in 1907, showing films to the local community. Its role in early film history marks a moment when theater and cinema culture intersected in the same space.
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