Teatre Poliorama (Poliorama Theatre)
A historic theatre at the top of La Rambla, the Teatre Poliorama gained literary fame as the building where George Orwell was stationed during the Spanish Civil War street fighting he described in 'Homage to Catalonia.'
As you stand before the elegant facade of the Teatre Poliorama, you're looking at one of Barcelona's most storied cultural landmarks, where theatrical drama and real-life history have intertwined in extraordinary ways. This beautiful theatre, positioned prominently at the top of La Rambla near Plaça de Catalunya, has witnessed over a century of Barcelona's transformation, but it's perhaps most famous for its role in one of the twentieth century's most compelling literary works. The building you see today was constructed in 1899 by architect Domenech i Estapà in the Modernist style that was sweeping through Barcelona during this period. Notice the graceful arched windows and the ornate stonework that characterizes the facade, typical of the architectural innovation that defined the city at the turn of the century. The theatre originally served as both an entertainment venue and, remarkably, as the headquarters of the POUM militia during the Spanish Civil War, a dual purpose that would prove historically significant. It was here, in May 1937, that a young British writer named Eric Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, found himself stationed on the theatre's roof with his rifle, keeping watch over the chaotic streets below.