Teatro Circo

Designed and built by Justo Millán, it responds to the building model of the early 20th century, following the guidelines of the famous “theater-circus” from Paris.

Located on the central Caravija street (today, Enrique Villar), the Teatro Circo de Murcia was inaugurated on November 5, 1892. Its owner Enrique Villar was a businessman who also promoted the construction of the Bullring, named it as Teatro Circo Villar.

We have a first description of the Teatro Circo thanks to the information appeared in Las Provincias de Levante on September 25, 1891: “The perimeter of the premises is spacious: only 8 columns will support an elegant roof 40 meters in diameter […]”. In addition to its use as a theater and a circus, it is worth adding that of boxing and wrestling evenings, equestrian shows, cinema, various public events and even exhibitions of wild animals. The lighting, which was initially gas, was quickly modified in electrical one. Since 1908 it was adapted for cinema combined with many other types of shows, it survived until the 1980s. It closed definitively at the beginning of 1984. Since then it has remained closed, although information was given about possible new uses, such as a gym or social club…

In 2003, the Murcia City Council became involved in the rehabilitation process which concluded at the beginning of 2011. Since then, the Teatro Circo has become municipal heritage.