Málaga's historic 1870 theatre — the main stage of the Costa del Sol
Opened on 17 December 1870, Teatro Cervantes is Málaga's oldest and most important performing-arts venue. Designed by Málaga-born architect Jerónimo Cuervo, its horseshoe-shaped auditorium — now seating around 1,171 — sits beneath a colossal ceiling canvas by Bernardo Ferrándiz, the Allegory of the History, Industry and Commerce of Málaga. After the city took over the building in 1984 it was restored and reopened in 1987, earning a Europa Nostra award. Today it is the Costa del Sol's principal stage, programming theatre, opera, dance, flamenco, classical, jazz and world music, and hosting the gala of the Málaga Film Festival.