The National Theater

Built in a Neo-Classic style, Panama's National Theater was one of the first public buildings inaugurated after the birth of the Republic, in 1903.

The original building where the theatre was later on built was actually a monastery for nuns. They had a small theatre called Sarah Bernahrdt, as it is said that the artist was once brought to perform there during the time of the French Canal. But the National Theater, was built over the monastery and inaugurated on October 1, 1908 during the presidency of José Domingo de Obaldía. Its debut was grandiose, with the opera Aida presented by the Italian company Mario Lambardi.

The building was designed  by Italian architect, Genaro Ruggeri, one of the most prolific architects in Panama at the time . Roberto Lewis painted the ceiling frescoes, and Enrico Corrado did the chalk sculpture. 

With a capacity for 850 spectators, the theater features on its main ceiling and foyer, frescoes by Roberto Lewis, the most renowned Panamanian painter of the first half of the 20th century.

Ceiling of the National Theater - Panamá City