The Diogo Bernardes Theatre (Portuguese: Teatro Diogo Bernardes) is a theatre in the civil parish of Arca e Ponte de Lima, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo. On 19 February 1893, the theatre commission, that included João Rodrigues de Morais, Francisco António da Cunha Magalhães and Dr.
- Venue
- Diogo Bernardes Theatre
- Town
- Arca e Ponte de Lima, PT
The Diogo Bernardes Theatre (Portuguese: Teatro Diogo Bernardes) is a theatre in the civil parish of Arca e Ponte de Lima, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo. On 19 February 1893, the theatre commission, that included João Rodrigues de Morais, Francisco António da Cunha Magalhães and Dr. António Inácio Pereira de Freitas, decided to acquire a plot of land, that was formerly occupied by the former-Convent of Santo António dos Frades Capuchos, an area of 1,500 square metres (16,000 ft2). for 1.200$000 réis. A year later work began on building the Theatre Diogo Bernardes, a project of architect António Adelino de Magalhães Coutinho, with the stonework completed by António Pereira Correia, the carpentry by José Maria da Cunha and painting by Eduardo Reis. Inauguration of the theatre occurred on 19 September 1896. The first presentation of films at the theatre began in 1920. The building was acquired by the municipal council of Ponta de Lima for 50,000 contos in 1992, following several years of degradation and abandon. In 1996, work to remodel and expansion of the theatre (under architect Luís Faro Viana), a project financed partially by the Ministry of Culture for 390,000 contos. Between 1996 and 1999, there were further projects to bring the theatre up to code, that included lighting, roofing, consolidation of walls, installation of fire safety equipment and construction of handicap accessways. At the same time, the stage was expanded, along with the mezzanine and booth seating. The Teatro Diogo Bernardes became the home of the Ponte de Lima Festival of Opera and Classical Music. The theatre is flanked and integrated into the centre of the town in an area of paved stonework and granite structure, behind the Church of Santo António dos Capuchos, near the Lima River and along the Avenida dos Plátanos. The principal facade is preceded by a platform of granite slabs accessible by three stairs, and flanked by two iron gates