History of the Slovak Theatre Architecture
Theatre architecture in Slovakia has had a rich history derived from European thought movements of the respective periods. It is made up by a heterogeneous composition of buildings of various time of origin, form, and original functionality
Theatre buildings were mostly designed by international architects, whose creative involvement in the Slovak environment greatly contributed to the development of city and regional culture. The presentation of the oldest theatre buildings in Slovakia includes also national and association houses.
Empire Style Theatre in Hlohovec (21st Century) by © Matúš LošonskýThe Theatre Institute
The Empire Style Theatre in Hlohovec
At present, the Empire Style Theatre in Hlohovec is the oldest and only preserved landmark of the privately-owned, nobility theatres in Slovakia.
Interior of the Empire Style Theatre in Hlohovec (19th Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
It was built in 1802 by Count Jozef Erdődy on the occasion of a visit by Emperor Joseph II.
Ján Palárik Theatre in Trnava (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
The Ján Palárik Theatre
The second oldest preserved theatre in Slovakia is the building of the theatre in Trnava, the current residence of the Ján Palárik Theatre.
Interior of the Ján Palárik Theatre in Trnava (21st Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
In 1831, the building was constructed according to the projects designed by architect Bernard Grün who was sponsored by counts Zerdahelyi and Karol Zay.
City Theatre in Levoča (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
City Theatre in Levoča
The oldest theatre building in Eastern Slovakia is the City Theatre in Levoča – the time of its origin (1854) makes it the third oldest preserved theatre in Slovakia.
Interior of the City Theatre in Levoča (21st Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
Interior of the City Theatre in Levoča.
Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
The Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov
The historical building of the theatre in Prešov (the original City Theatre, today the Jonáš Záborský Theatre).
Model of the Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov (21st Century) by Ladislav ČisárikThe Theatre Institute
Model of the Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov
More than a century after the completion of the construction, the building of the theatre underwent an extensive renovation between 1994 and 2003. In 2003, the renovation project was awarded the annual prize of the Association of Slovak Architects – CE.ZA.AR.
Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
The historical building of the Slovak National Theatre
One of the best preserved theatre buildings in western Slovakia is the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, which originally operated as a city theatre.
Interior of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava (21st Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
Interior of the Slovak National Theatre
The theatre was decorated by well-known artists from Vienna, Bratislava and Germany.
Model of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava (21st Century) by Juraj Čisárik, Ladislav ČisárikThe Theatre Institute
Model of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava.
State Theatre in Košice (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
The State Theatre in Košice
The first bricks-and-mortar theatre in Košice was built in the city square already in 1790. Today, the State Theatre in Košice is one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in central Europe.
Interior of the State Theatre in Košice (2010) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
Interior of the State Theatre in Košice.
Model of the State Theatre in Košice (21st Century) by Juraj Čisárik, Ladislav ČisárikThe Theatre Institute
Model of the State Theatre in Košice.
Aréna Theatre in Bratislava (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
Aréna Theatre in Bratislava
The building of the important Aréna Theatre (originally a summer theatre from the turn of the 20th century) has been preserved on the Petržalka embankment in Bratislava.
Model of the Aréna Theatre in Bratislava (20th Century) by Milan Kodoň, Bohuslav KrausThe Theatre Institute
Model of the Aréna Theatre in Bratislava
The Aréna Theatre is a reminder of the early years of one of the most eminent personalities of modern European theatre, director Max Reinhardt.
Spiš Theatre – Ridotto in Spišská Nová Ves (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
Spiš Theatre – Ridotto in Spišská Nová Ves
A very specific and characteristic type of late 19th century architecture was the ridotto. That is why these buildings are among the most outstanding architecture sites in Slovakia.
Koloman Gerster’s building in Spišská Nová Ves is one of the most remarkable architecture sites from the turn of the 20th century in all of Europe.
Interior of the Spiš Theatre – Ridotto in Spišská Nová Ves (21st Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
Spiš Theatre – Ridotto in Spišská Nová Ves
Interior of the theatre.
Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin
The Slovak Chamber Theatre resides in the historical building of the National House in Martin. In the 1980s, an extension of the building was constructed, in which a studio with up to 200 seats was set up.
Interior of the Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin (21st Century) by Olja Triaška StefanovićThe Theatre Institute
Interior of the Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin.
Theatre in Skalica (2021) by Róbert SvíbaThe Theatre Institute
Theatre in Skalica
The architect who designed the Community House in Skalica was Dušan Samuel Jurkovič, the founder of modern Slovak architecture. In his project, he made use of the extensive experience he gained when designing the spa building complex in the town of Luhačovice in Moravia.
In the Skalica project, similarly to the complex in Luhačovice, Jurkovič combined motifs of Wagnerian Art Nouveau with folk wood-carving and elements of the British Arts and Crafts movement. Some of the elements indicate the architect’s inspiration in Japanese art.
State Opera in Banská Bystrica (21st Century) by Ľubo StachoThe Theatre Institute
State Opera in Banská Bystrica
The construction of the National House in Banská Bystrica, the present residence of the State Opera, was preceded by a number of selection procedures. Belluš’s first architectural design was drawn up in the rondocubism style which, however, was not met with much understanding.
Historical theatre buildings in Slovakia are specific for their connection to central European art, history and theatre traditions. Historical theatres, for example, the Empire Style Theatre in Hlohovec, the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, or the State Theatre Košice, are still unique examples of theatre architecture in the whole central European region. On the other hand, modern non-theatrical spaces open Slovak theatre to performative forms with a unique audience experience.
Slovak Theatre Architecture I.
Author: Miroslav Daubrava
Slovak proofreading: Mária Kvaššayová
English translation: Ivan Lacko
Editors: Vladislava Fekete, Dominika Zaťková
Production: Zuzana Poliščák Šnircová, Marko Popović
In cooperation with: Záhorie Region Museum, Skalica, Teatro Tatro, Matúš Lošonský
The Theatre Institute has made all possible efforts to identify the authors of the graphic or photographic works used in this publication, as well as to obtain legal permission for their use. If you are the holder of the rights to any of the works used herein, please contact the Theatre Institute: du@theatre.sk.
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