Vilnius is a city with deep theatre traditions – school theatre, which has been operating at Vilnius University since 1570, is considered among the best in Europe. The Palace of the Grand Dukes, under the patronage of the ruler Władysław Vasa, established one of the first opera houses in Europe, and the premiere of the first opera, ‘The Abduction of Helena’, was performed there earlier than at the opera houses in Paris or London. In the 1790s, the city’s first public theatre opened its doors and changed its location several times. At the beginning of the 20th century, several theatres were established in the city, some of which became famous throughout Europe. The history of Vilnius theatres testifies to the city’s multi-ethnicity and openness: Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Jewish, and Belarusian theatres, as well as Italian, German, and Ukrainian theatres, and a Czech orchestra to accompany them. Vilnius is home to Polish, Lithuanian theatre and opera, Belarusian and Jewish national theatre. Today, there are dozens of theatres in the Lithuanian capital, both public and private, professional and amateur. This itinerary will help you get to know the history of the theatres in the centre of Vilnius and enter the exciting world of theatres.
The Theatres of Vilnius
Įrašo pavadinimas:
Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (Vienuolio g.1)
Pets are allowed, except inside.
Route compiled by Artūras Savko;
Photos by Artūras Savko
Route map
1. Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (architect – Eglė Bučiūtė) was built in 1974 and…
2. Vaidilos Theatre
This building, constructed in 1898, was the home of the architect Mikhail Prozorov and his wife,…
3. The State Small Theatre of Vilnius
The Large (Didysis) Theatre, the grandest theatre in Vilnius at that time, with a grandiose…
4. The theatre on Vilniaus Street (now defunct)
The last theatre building to disappear was tucked away between Vilniaus and Jogailos Streets, where…
5. The Lithuanian National Drama Theatre
In the late 19th century, opposite the Land Bank building (Gedimino pr. 6), run by the famous…
6. The Theatre in the Palace of the Grand Dukes
Renaissance theatrical performances (masquerades, tournaments, theatrical greetings of honoured…
7. The wooden Summer Theatre (no longer extant)
It has already been mentioned that the city’s first professional public theatre was housed in the…
8. Vilnius University Theatre
Since the second half of the 16th century, Vilnius University has been home to the so-called school…
9. The Old Vilnius Theatre in the Small Palace of the Radziwiłłs and the Museum of Theatre, Music and Film
In 1785, Wojciech Bogusławski, an actor, singer and playwright, came from Warsaw and founded the…
10. Vilnius Old Theatre in Pohulianka
At the beginning of the 20th century, the construction of a city theatre was considered in Vilnius.…
11. Vilnius Classic Theatre
The newest theatre in Vilnius, ‘Vilniaus klasika’, is located in an exceptional location: the…
12. The Jewish Theatre
One of the Jewish theatres on Naugarduko Street was a 650-seat auditorium built in 1910, where…
13. The former theatre building – The Town Hall
The first concerts and professional theatre performances were staged in the Town Hall building in…
14. The Philharmonic Hall – the former City Hall
In the late 19th century, Vilnius lacked a theatre and a concert hall, so the City Council financed…
15. Vilna Ghetto Theatre
The Vilna Ghetto Theatre, which operated from 1942 to 1943, marks a tragic period in the history of…
16. State Youth Theatre
The Young Spectators’ Theatre was founded in 1966 and, until 1981, operated in the Profsąjungų…
17. The Puppet Theatre ‘Lėlė’
Lithuanian puppet theatres date back to the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania – historical…
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