Audio GuideTivoli

Step into the very heart of Lisbon and discover Teatro Tivoli BBVA, a sparkling cultural icon that has delighted the city for nearly a century. Situated on the grand Avenida da Liberdade, this elegant neoclassical landmark welcomes visitors with its carved stone façade, graceful sweeping lines, and its distinctive dark-tiled dome. Its emblem, a bouquet of four roses, pays tribute to founder Frederico de Lima Mayer’s four daughters—a small detail that hints at the deeply personal origins of the theatre.

Álvaro Ramos

In the early nineteen twenties, the excitement of silent films was sweeping across Europe. Frederico de Lima Mayer—an enthusiastic entrepreneur and devoted supporter of the arts—set out to bring Lisbon a cinema that would rival the glamour of any in Europe. He enlisted the renowned architect Raúl Lino to design a venue where sophistication and intimacy would go hand in hand. When the theatre made its debut in late nineteen twenty-four, guests dressed to the nines gathered in the luminous foyer for the premiere of “Violetas Imperiais”. Live music accompanied the film and set the evening’s mood. From the outset, Tivoli was more than just a picture house. It quickly evolved into a prestigious stage for contemporary theatre, ballet, and orchestral concerts.

C.J. Wang

The Tivoli soon became a favoured gathering spot for Lisbon’s high society, with afternoon teas held in its magnificent salon and evenings dedicated to masquerade balls and famed premières. It was here that the first sound films echoed through the auditorium in the early nineteen thirties. Cinematic classics such as “Doctor Zhivago” would later be screened. The theatre’s velvet-draped stage was graced by cultural giants like Igor Stravinsky and Yehudi Menuhin.

Didier Pernollet

Over the years, ownership changed several times. When the building’s future seemed in jeopardy, it was rescued by loyal supporters and new collaborators. In more recent times, the national production company UAU and international backing from BBVA have helped bring new life to the Tivoli. Its original wooden floors and frescoed balconies have been lovingly restored, while state-of-the-art stage facilities have been introduced. This harmonious blend of heritage charm and cutting-edge technology ensures that every performance—be it ballet, jazz, or opera—remains both timeless and alive for today’s audiences.

With space for approximately one thousand one hundred people, the Tivoli endures as a true meeting place for culture. The theatre welcomes both Portuguese and international performers, gala launches, and pioneering events. Now, as it celebrates its one hundredth anniversary with a season filled with outstanding productions and special projects, Teatro Tivoli BBVA continues to shine as a lasting symbol of Lisbon’s creativity, sophistication, and hospitable spirit.