Audio GuideTivoli

Step into the heart of Lisbon and discover Teatro Tivoli BBVA, a dazzling monument of culture that has enchanted the city for almost one hundred years. Set along the grand Avenida da Liberdade, this neoclassical treasure welcomes guests with a facade of carved stone, sweeping lines, and a signature dome of dark tiles. The theater’s symbol, a bouquet of four roses, pays homage to its founder Frederico de Lima Mayer’s four daughters—that is, a small detail that hints at the personal story behind its creation.

Álvaro Ramos

Back in the early nineteen twenties, silent films were taking Europe by storm. Frederico de Lima Mayer, a passionate businessman and lover of the arts, dreamed of giving Lisbon a cinema that matched the glamour of its European counterparts. He turned to the acclaimed architect Raúl Lino, who crafted a building where elegance meets intimacy. When the doors opened in late nineteen twenty-four, guests in sparkling attire filled the glowing foyer for a screening of “Violetas Imperiais.” Live music set the atmosphere that night. From its earliest days, the Tivoli was more than cinema—it became a stage for modern theater, ballet, and symphonic concerts.

C.J. Wang

The Tivoli quickly became the meeting point for Lisbon’s elite, with afternoon tea in its grand salon and evenings spent at mask balls and legendary premieres. It was here that sound first echoed through the walls during films in the early nineteen thirties. Later, classics like “Doctor Zhivago” also appeared on the big screen. Legends of music and theater, such as Igor Stravinsky and Yehudi Menuhin, graced its velvet-draped stage.

Didier Pernollet

Ownership changed hands over the decades. When the building risked being lost, it was saved by dedicated patrons and new partners. In recent years, the national production group UAU and the international support of BBVA have helped the Tivoli blossom again. They have carefully restored its original wooden floors and frescoed balconies, while adding grand modern stage facilities. This blend of old-world charm and leading technology means every performance—whether ballet, jazz, or opera—feels both timeless and vibrant today.

With a capacity of about one thousand one hundred guests, the Tivoli continues to be a crossroads of culture. The theater hosts both national and global artists, gala premieres, and groundbreaking events. As it marks its centenary with a season full of remarkable performances and projects, Teatro Tivoli BBVA stands as a shining symbol of Lisbon’s enduring creativity, elegance, and open-armed spirit.