Opera House: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia - Valencia, Cataluña, Spain

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

Valencia

Cataluña, Spain

N 39° 27.448 W 000° 21.305

Short Description: 

The ultramodern Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is the opera house and cultural center of the the City of Arts and Sciences> It was designed by AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava and built on the old Turia Riverbed in Valencia, Spain.

Long Description:

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia was designed by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, the recipient of the Gold Medal Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2005 for his body of work. It was the final structure built as part of the vast City of Arts and Sciences complex that was begun in July 1996 and completed on October 9, 2005. The building was opened on October 8, 2005.

The building features a breathtaking contemporary design. Depending upon your perspective, it has been described as looking like a UFO or a giant fish. The structure has 14 stories above ground has three stories below ground. It is the tallest opera house in the world at a height of 75 meters (246'). The prominent curved roof is 230 m (755') long. The building is 40,000 sq. meters (431,000 sq ft) is size.

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia has four venues. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,706 and is used for opera productions, concerts, and ballet. The 380-seat chamber music hall is used for ensemble performances, drama, and other events such as lectures, meetings, etc. An auditorium that seating up to 1,520 people is equipped a state-of-the-art film and video projection system, The Martín y Soler Theatre: has a capacity of 400 persons and is dedicated to the Applied Arts.