The Colegio San José Auditorium in Buenos Aires, nicknamed “El Coloncito” for its resemblance to the Colón Theater, is one of those architectural treasures that surprise even those who think they know the city well. Inaugurated in 1915, it is part of a building declared a National Historic Monument and, for more than a century, has hosted academic and cultural events. However, the Colegio San José Theater remains one of the least known spaces in Buenos Aires, a secret that deserves to be discovered.
What makes the Colegio San José Auditorium unique
With its Doric columns in the stalls, Ionic style galleries and Corinthian details in the ceiling, the Auditorio Colegio San José impresses anyone who crosses its doors. Its 36 meters long and 14 meters high make it an imposing space for a school, something that in the 60’s and 70’s was taken advantage of when the hall was transformed into a movie theater for students on weekends.
Over the years it has hosted everything from musical evenings to the Argentine Harry Potter convention, which chose it for its resemblance to Hogwarts . On the same stage, a marble inscription with the Latin phrase Cor unum et anima una (“One heart and one soul”) reflects the school’s identity and values.
What you can do at the Colegio San José Auditorium
The Colegio San José Auditorium opens its doors for occasional cultural activities, such as concerts, conferences and special presentations that take advantage of its acoustics and historical character. Among them, Candlelight in Buenos Aires, the candlelight concert series that brings classical music and tributes to unique venues in the city, stands out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the founder of Colegio San José?
The school was founded in 1858 by the priests Diego Barbé, Juan Magendie and Joannés Arostegui, of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Fathers of Betharram.
What is the capacity of the Colegio San José Auditorium?
It has a capacity of about 300 seats, distributed between the stalls and the galleries.
Where is it located and how to get to the Colegio San José Auditorium?
The address of the Colegio San José Auditorium is Azcuénaga 158, in the neighborhood of Balvanera. Getting there is easy: just two blocks away is the Pasteur – AMIA station on the B subway line and about eight minutes walk from the Pasco station on the A line. In addition, several bus lines —such as 24, 29, 60, 64 and 68, among others— run along the nearby avenues. For those who choose to drive, there are private parking lots on Azcuénaga and nearby streets less than a five-minute walk from the Teatro Colegio San José.
Nearby attractions
A few blocks from the theater are some places of interest such as the Congreso de la Nación Argentina, the Plaza Miserere with the Once Station and the Museo Casa Carlos Gardel. To that list is added the distinguished Centro Asturiano de Buenos Aires, one of Candlelight’s venues in the city, which combines history and music in the same setting.