Teatro Municipal de La Paz, Municipal theatre in central La Paz, Bolivia

The Teatro Municipal «Alberto Saavedra Pérez», on Jenaro Sanjinez at the corner of Indaburo, is the main theatre of La Paz, built in the republican style on the model of a Venetian theatre. Its facade, repainted red and white in 2012, carries two Doric pilasters flanking the doorway, with the shield of La Paz in the pediment above. Inside, the original layout survives apart from changes made in 1861, including a ceiling fresco by the French artist Lemetyer with allegories of music and theatre and medallions of Cervantes, Shakespeare and Wagner.

Construction began in 1834 under the direction of architect José María Núñez del Prado and the building opened around 1845. Since then, it has remained in continuous use as a performance venue, making it one of the longest-serving theatres in South America.

The theatre carries the name of Alberto Saavedra Pérez, a playwright from La Paz, having earlier been called Teatro Nacional and then Municipal. Its ceiling fresco by the French artist Lemetyer, kept since the first construction, shows allegories of music and theatre, and the medallions portray writers and composers such as Cervantes, Shakespeare and Wagner.

The theatre sits in the heart of the city and is easy to reach on foot from nearby central squares. Booking ahead is a good idea, as popular performances tend to sell out quickly.

In 2012, the exterior walls were painted a bright red, which stands in sharp contrast to the original 19th-century fittings still visible inside. The red facade makes the building instantly recognizable from the surrounding streets.