Jordão Theater

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Theatre

District: Braga > Guimarães > Urgezes

Location

Teatro Jordão is located on one of Guimarães' main arteries, Avenida D. Afonso Henriques. Its central position facilitates access and integrates it into the city's urban dynamism. Although situated in the locality of Urgezes, its proximity to the heart of Guimarães makes it an integral part of the cultural experience for visitors to the municipality.

History and Heritage

Inaugurated on November 20, 1938, Teatro Jordão was conceived as a modern cinema-theatre, a grand infrastructure for its time, which brought a new cultural dimension to Guimarães. Its creation, driven by the city's need for a performance venue, marked a period of innovation. For almost thirty years, the building remained closed, but its memory and symbolic value endured. Its reopening on February 12, 2022, represented a rebirth, honouring its past and projecting it into the future.

Architecture and Refurbishment

The original project for Teatro Jordão was designed by architect and civil engineer Júlio José de Brito. This building, with its robust construction and facades facing the avenue, is a notable example of the architecture of its era. The recent refurbishment aimed at preserving its heritage, integrating the former Garagem Avenida building, which exhibits an interesting Art Deco aesthetic. The complex was rehabilitated to meet current needs, maintaining its architectural essence while adapting to new functions.

A Contemporary Cultural Hub

Currently, Teatro Jordão is a dynamic hub for artistic creation and training. It houses the School of Performing Arts, the School of Visual Arts, and the School of Music, serving as the base for courses from the University of Minho and the Guimarães Conservatory. The main auditorium, with a capacity for 400 people, was designed to be multi-functional, hosting shows, dance, music, and conferences. This space significantly contributes to Guimarães' cultural vitality, offering a stage for the new generation of artists and cultural promoters. The success of its transformation was recognized with the National Real Estate Award in 2023, in the Collective Entrepreneurship category.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt