Charles III wanted the court to have a theatre during its spring stays, and in 1768 he commissioned the French architect Jaime Marquet to build a playhouse on Calle de San Antonio. It opened in 1769. It is one of the few 18th-century court theatres still standing in Spain, and after its restoration it works as a theatre and concert hall.
Every autumn it hosts much of the Aranjuez Early Music Festival, which in 2026 holds its 33rd edition, with concerts at weekends in October and early November. See what’s on for the coming weeks.
What few people tell you
- Check the programme before your trip: a concert here, in an 18th-century hall, is the best excuse to stay the night in Aranjuez.
- Jaime Marquet worked on three court theatres: Aranjuez, El Pardo and El Escorial.
Sources and official links
- Comunidad de Madrid, Architects of Madrid: Jaime Marquet
- esmadrid, Aranjuez Early Music Festival 2026 (Spanish)
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