Teatro Colón

In front of you is the main façade of one of the world's great opera houses. Some say its sound is perfect; conductors, at least, rank it very high.

1The first Colón

There was an earlier Teatro Colón, opened in 1857 next to Plaza de Mayo, where the Banco de la Nación stands today. When it grew too small, the city decided to build a new one to rival the great European houses.

2Twenty years in the making

Work began in 1888 and turned into an obstacle course. The original design was by Francesco Tamburini, the architect of the Casa Rosada, who died in 1891. His collaborator Vittorio Meano took over and was murdered in 1904. The Belgian Julio Dormal finished the building. The theatre opened on 25 May 1908 with Verdi's Aida.

3The acoustics

Acoustics expert Leo Beranek asked leading conductors to rate the world's best halls, and the Colón came first for opera and near the top for concerts. The main hall has around 2,500 seats and holds close to 3,000 people counting standing places.

Toscanini, Caruso, Pavlova, Callas, Domingo and Pavarotti all performed on its stage, and so did Astor Piazzolla and Mercedes Sosa.

After a long restoration, it reopened on 24 May 2010.

4What to look for

• The iron canopy over the entrance on Libertad.
• The columns and balconies of the Renaissance-style façade.
• Plaza Lavalle, with the Palace of Justice in the background.