Commissioned by João da Cunha Açúcar, the Luís de Camões Theatre opened with the play ‘Camões and o Jau’ by Casimiro de Abreu in June 1880, on the 300th anniversary of the death of the poet after whom it is named.

After the founding of the Belém Clube in 1899, for more than 100 years its headquarters have operated here and a significant number of worthy cultural initiatives have been presented – performances by important names in Portuguese/Brazilian theatre such as Adelina Abranches, Rafael Alves, João Villaret, Auzenda de Oliveira, Sales Ribeiro, Mirita Casimiro, Procópio Ferreira, Bibi Ferreira and singer and opera director Tomás Alcaide.

Following comprehensive refurbishment, this small Italian-style theatre is now returned to the city as a cultural space entirely dedicated to the performing arts for children.