Landmarks

Juliusz Słowacki Theatre

The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre opened on 21 October 1893 as the Municipal Theatre — an eclectic, neo-Baroque 'Kraków opera' designed by Jan Zawiejski and modelled on Viennese theatre buildings. It took barely two years to build, and the house was the first building in Kraków with electric lighting. The auditorium originally seated 922 people; after renovations it is smaller.

A stage where Polish theatre history was written

It was here, on 16 March 1901, that Wyspiański's 'Wesele' (The Wedding) had its world premiere, and in the same year all parts of 'Dziady' (Forefathers' Eve) were staged. In 1921 Witkacy debuted here with 'Tumor Mózgowicza', and after October 1956 the first post-war 'Wyzwolenie' was performed. The theatre took the name of Juliusz Słowacki on 16 October 1909.

The building through war and renovations

During the occupation a German theatre played here for nearly five years; the Polish company returned to the stage on 19 February 1945. After the war, Tadeusz Kantor designed sets for several productions. The building underwent a general overhaul in the 1990/1991 season, and comprehensive restoration began in 2017.

What to see without a ticket

The gilded interiors impress from the doorstep, and the best reward for a passer-by without a ticket is the main foyer and the grand staircase — just step inside during box-office hours. A look around takes a quarter of an hour or so.

Practical notes

The theatre stands on Plac Św. Ducha, a few minutes' walk from the Main Market Square. Book show tickets in advance, as the auditorium is smaller today than the original 922 seats. Check the repertoire before your visit — this is still one of Poland's leading stages.