The Teatre Principal de València, owned by the Diputació de València and co-managed with the Generalitat Valenciana, is closing its curtains due to serious issues that prevent continued activity. The closure, expected to last at least four years, stems from pathological deficiencies due to degradation processes, as well as fire protection and accessibility problems.
An expert report received by the provincial corporation indicates a “permanent risk to occupants” while the building remains in use. Evaristo Carlos López, head of the Technical Projects service, described the situation as a “small trap” in case of evacuation. The closure decision was communicated shortly after part of the season's program was presented.
The report details a risk of detachment of parapets and cornices, problems with the roofs featuring fragmented tiles and vegetation, and a crack in the concrete structure affecting the protected historic facade. Oxidation in a structural metal profile and damage to the mural paintings have also been detected.
Regarding safety, emergency exits have been found blocked with bars or padlocks, obsolete fire curtains, and stairs that do not meet required standards. The document emphasizes that the risk is “permanent as long as the building remains in use”.
The Diputació de València has confirmed that in early 2027, the drafting of the rehabilitation project will be put out to tender, with an estimated cost of two million euros. The works, requiring comprehensive intervention, are expected to cost around 50 million euros. The Generalitat Valenciana will participate in defining responsibilities and funding.
The problems at the Principal Theatre were not new, with various interventions carried out over the last eight years. A 2017 report had already pointed out shortcomings, but the current diagnosis is much more severe. The Master Plan commissioned in 2021 already anticipated a prolonged closure and costly rehabilitation.
