Teatro Cervantes de Málaga

Málaga's main theater, Teatro Cervantes was built by the architect Jerónimo Cuervo and opened in 1870. Bernardo Ferrándiz painted a spectacular allegory of the city on the ceiling. Until the mid-20th century, the theater was popular and successful, but then fell into decline. It was bought by the Ayuntamiento (city council) in 1984, restored to it's past glory and then re-opened by Queen Sofia in 1987. It now offers a first-class program of events throughout the year, including opera, dance, plays and musical concerts. There are four different kinds of seats. The best are in the patio (pit), then the palcos (boxes) and then the gallinero (gallery). You can't reserve seats, but if you have a network 6000 card you can buy your ticket by telephone.