Slovak National Theatre (Historical Building) — Attraction in Bratislava

Located by the Hviezdoslav Square, the Neo-Renaissance building was built in 1885–1886 during the time of Austria-Hungary, based on a design by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer, who designed theater buildings in 10 European countries.

It was opened as the City Theater on September 22, 1886 with the opera Bánk bán of Ferenc Erkel, which is one of the most important Hungarian opera. As a sign of this event's importance Kálmán Tisza Hungarian Prime Minister and his all government, Mór Jókai took part on this ceremony. Gala performance was conducted by Ferenc Erkel himself.

The original building was designed for 1000 spectators and was illuminated using 800 gas lamps, while the auditorium had a lustre with 64 lights. The interior was decorated, with frescos of by Pressburg/Pozsony native painter Kornél Spányik and by paintings by Munich artist Leo Lüttgendorf-Leinburg, among others. The City Theater was hired by German and Hungarian professional theater companies, but beginning in 1919 (at the creation of Czechoslovakia), it was used by Czech and later also Slovak ensembles (see above). In 1920 it became the Slovak National Theater.

The new building was constructed on the site of a previous Classic style theater built in 1776, the first permanent theater building in today Slovakia, which was demolished in 1884.

Pressburg native sculptor Viktor Oskar Tilgner crafted the famous Ganymede's Fountain in 1888, now located immediately in front of the theater.

The building has housed Slovak National Theater ensembles since 1920, but today only the opera and ballet ensembles are resident. It was restored between 1969 and 1972, when a new modern technical building was added behind the old building. It features a unique lustre (a special ball) with 2532 bulbs enabling the creation of millions of combinations of light pictures based on a...

Grand experience to get to go to this masterpiece of a building. It's a shame that I have lived in this city 20 years without ever visiting. Went to see opera at a very specific date of 14th of February and was not disappointed, first time for me to see an opera and I was very happy about it. This building is a maze at a first sight, but is well labeled for any directions you might need. The only thing that made me confused was difference between the tickets I bought online - labeled in the building is 'Balcony' but on the ticket it said '1st floor middle balcony' so I wasn't sure if this was the same thing. But my overall feeling is great. Welcome to the building was nice, the break time buffet was awesome with wide offer .. artworks all around the corridors. And the main hall/room where all the acts are taking place has great design, which is pleasing to your eyes and has no problems whatsoever, most of the seats have great scene view and the price is acceptable even for the 'first row' seats with best view. I strongly recommend visiting for an evening performance of any kind, but have nothing to compare to, so I am not able to point out...

Wonderful historical and artistic building in downtown of Bratislava. A beautiful place and square in the center of Bratislava. It's great to visit during the holidays, day or night. An excellent play of light and shadow takes place in the evening due to the fantastic lighting. Across the road is the Carlton Hotel, cafes, restaurants with home-made and authentic cuisine and specialties of Slovak cuisine, as well as several pastry shops with incredibly delicious ice creams of various flavors. Be sure to walk through this pedestrian zone and enjoy the different offers, pictures and pleasures that this part of the city offers. On the other side is McDonald's and souvenir shops. I enjoyed the colors and sounds and the sight of trams and little red city tour buses from the...