
Neo-Baroque Cultural Landmark. An elegant 19th-century theater hosting operas, plays, and concerts, inspired by the Paris Opera House. The Arriaga Theatre, inaugurated in 1890 and named after the Basque composer Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, stands as a testament to Bilbao’s rich cultural heritage. Designed by architect Joaquín Rucoba, the theatre’s neo-baroque architecture draws inspiration from the Paris Opera, featuring ornate facades and a grand interior. Despite suffering from a fire in 1914 and severe flooding in 1983, the theatre was meticulously restored, reopening in 1986 with its original splendor.