It is built on the ruins of the former Trinitarian monastery. It is the biggest European theatre from that time, and it is situated on La Rambla. During Felipe V´ s reign, the opera becomes the entertainment of that time.

Its floor has the form of a horseshoe arch, with six storeys and stalls. In 1861, it suffered a terrible fire, and it was rebuilt by Joseph Oriol Mestres, who removed the amphitheatre of the second floor.
A new fire destroyed the theatre the 31 January 1994, destroying the hall and the horseshoe arch form. The reconstruction took 5 years and it was directed by Ignasi de Solà-Morales, Xavier Fabré and Lluis Dilmé.

The 7 October 1999 the new Liceu opened its doors, with different appearance but provided with the most sophisticated technological advances. Outside, the Gran Teatre del Liceo, situated on the popular Rambla, is relatively more modest in relation with its interior. It is sumptuous and follows the tradition of the opera houses from the XIX Century.

The main hall, with big columns, drives to a marble staircase that drives to the Mirrored Salon and to the Amphitheatre. The foyer, inspired on la Scala of Milano, has a floor with horseshoe form, stalls and five levels. It has a capacity of 2,292 people, and is one the biggest opera houses in Europe. It is a symbol and meeting point for the Catalonian aristocracy and bourgeoisie.