Krakow - The Magical City
As the old capital of Poland, Krakow has a special place in the national consciousness. For the casual tourist this may not be vitally important or discernable, but this special role as the "spiritual" capital of Poland imbues Krakow with an added ambiance. The city is a vibrant university town that boasts the largest Medieval market square in Europe, plus exquisitely preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural monuments of the highest order. If you get bored of traditional sightseeing, the glorious architecture creates a great backdrop for just sipping a coffee or glass of beer in the outdoor cafes that line practically every street from April-Oct. And at night there are hundreds of bars to suit all tastes, many of them housed in atmospheric cellars. Browse, read and check things out!
Teatr Słowackiego
landmarks, theatres
culture | entertainment
Contact details
Stare Miasto pl. Św. Ducha 1
+48124244500
widz@slowacki.krakow.pl
www.slowacki.krakow.pl
Description
Słowacki Theater
This is the most impressive structure that was built during the 19th cen. in Krakow. Completed in 1893 it was also the first building to have electric lighting, which is why that unusual structure with the chimney in the back was built: that was originally the generator for the theater and it housed steam turbines to produce electricity. Partially inspired by the Paris and Vienna opera houses, this theater was designed for plays, not operas. Originally called the Municipal Theater, it was named after the poet Juliusz Słowacki despite the fact that the statue in front of the theater is of the Polish playwright Aleksander Fredro. If you look carefully at the dome of the theater, you'll notice a reference to the Cloth Hall on the main square: the grotesque masks that are a famous feature of the Renaissance Cloth Hall became a popular motif in 19th cen. architecture in Krakow.
Dennis McEvoy
Nearby
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