The municipal council of Faro wants to buy the centuries-old Teatro Lethes (Lethes Theatre) in the first half of this year, in a deal worth around €4 million, with the purchase depending on the sale of municipal land, the mayor announced this Friday.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the presentation of the theatre’s 2026 cultural programme, mayor António Miguel Pina explained that the plan is to sell a plot of council-owned land near the municipal swimming pools and use the proceeds to acquire the historic theatre.
The theatre, which opened in 1845 and is owned by the Portuguese Red Cross, has had its programming suspended since December after structural damage to the stage caused by bad weather. Repair works are currently under way, with activity expected to resume in the coming months.
According to Pina, the acquisition of the theatre is viewed as a “priority investment” and the “main investment of this mandate” in terms of heritage.
“We’re talking about a space with nearly 180 years of history as a theatre, and almost 500 years since it was a Jesuit college,” he said.
While there is still no detailed estimate for renovation works, António Miguel Pina said the cost could amount to an additional 20% to 30% on top of the €4 million purchase price.
The theatre is home to the Algarve Theatre Company (ACTA), while the auditorium and several offices in the building are currently rented by the municipality, which now intends to acquire full ownership of the property.
The mayor also revealed that “two further cultural heritage projects are being prepared and will be presented shortly”, both requiring bank financing.
In addition, EU funding has been secured for the rehabilitation of part of the former Fábrica da Cerveja (Beer Factory) and adjacent buildings that have been transferred to the municipality south of the railway line, near Faro train station.
These buildings form part of the “Cultural Kilometre” programme, which includes the future Estação Contemporânea (Contemporary Station), a new exhibition space for the city.
The broader plan aims to regenerate the riverfront and historic city centre, linking the Figuras theatre to Largo de São Francisco, via the old beer factory.
