National Theatre of El Salvador

The National Theatre is a building with French Renaissance features located in the historic center of San Salvador. The main hall holds about one thousand seats and features elaborate interior decorations created by hand.

Construction began in 1911 following an international design competition won by a French architect. The building took several decades to complete and represents early 20th century architecture in Central America.

The central dome displays a large fresco titled El mestizaje cultural by Carlos Cañas created in the late 1970s. This artwork reflects the country's cultural blend and was completed during a period of major building restoration.

The building is accessible most weekdays during daytime hours, with extended availability during performances. Visitors can join guided tours to fully explore the interior spaces and architectural features.

In the 1990s, the Japanese government donated modern sound and lighting systems to enhance performance capabilities. This investment helped equip the theatre for contemporary productions.