Aztec Theatre (San Antonio)
104 N. St. Mary's Street - San Antonio, Texas 78205
On the Riverwalk at E.Commerce & N.St.Mary's
History
Built in 1926, the Aztec Theater is the only surviving exotic-themed movie palace in Texas, U.S.A., and is one of the most impressive such buildings in the U.S.
Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec On The River re-opened in 2006. It has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur and updated with a giant iWerks Extreme Screen.
Architectural Features
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989 , it is decorated with vibrantly-colored columns, sculptures, furnishings and murals, many of which are authentic reproductions of Meso-American artifacts. Hanging in front of the stage is the original fire screen, a painting depicting the meeting of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1519.
A massive two-ton chandelier dominates the theater lobby. Added to the theatre in 1929, the chandelier has been completely restored by the grandson of the original designer.
Also restored is the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ conducting its 1,700 pipes and percussion instruments. The 1925 Wurlitzer pipework was actually produced for the Publix Theatre Corporation and the master console was manufactured for the Paramount Corporation.
The Aztec On The River is quoted in Patricia Schultz's travel book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.
Retail shops
The Riverwalk level of the Aztec Theater features four retail outlets:
- The Concession and Ticket Shop of the theater itself.
- Oro De Monte Alban - an authentic Mexican jewelry shop.
- It's Aglow - selling candles holders and ornaments made from a rock sourced from Utah.
- Happy Bean - a coffee and ice cream shop, also selling sodas, smoothies and other refreshments.
External links
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Grand auditorium
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Masks and pipes -
Renovated chandelier -
Theater Organ -
Banner -
Grand Lobby
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Aztec Mask
