Traces of permanent venues dedicated to theatrical activity in the city have existed since the early 17th century. During the following century, at least three buildings were used to stage Spanish drama, comedy, and operas in French and Italian. At the beginning of the 19th century, while the city was occupied by the French, the Teatro San Fernando was built on the site of the Gran Teatro Falla, but it was later destroyed by fire.Construction of the Gran Teatro de Cádiz began in 1885, based on the design of architect Adolfo Morales, and was completed in 1910. It is a freestanding building in the Neo-Mudéjar style, with exposed brick on the exterior decorated with horseshoe arches. Inside the grand hall, the boxes are supported by iron structures with Nasrid-inspired (Muslim Granada) decorations, while the roof is covered with a canvas depicting a Caliphate-style vault with allegorical scenes of the interpretation of letters. This work was carried out by the painters Felipe Abarzuza and Julio Moisés, who also created the series of paintings that decorate the lobby.