Bolívar Theater

The elegant pale pink building in front of you is the Teatro Bolívar, founded on April 15th, 1933, with an original capacity of over 2,400 seats in its grand auditorium. Its facade is widely regarded as the finest example of Art Deco architecture in Ecuador — a bold and stylish contrast to the colonial and neoclassical buildings that surround it in Quito’s historic center. In fact, it was awarded the national architecture prize the very year it opened. Over the decades, the theater has hosted a wide variety of events, including concerts, theatrical performances, and even the Miss Ecuador beauty pageant. In 1999, a devastating fire nearly destroyed the building, but after a complete renovation, the Teatro Bolívar rose from the ashes and reopened its doors. Today, it remains one of Quito’s most iconic cultural venues, with a dynamic program that includes dance shows, plays, live music, and rotating exhibitions — a true symbol of the city’s artistic spirit and resilience.