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Michal Leszczynski | all galleries >> Lesser Poland Tour/Malopolska Tour >> Cracow Old Town > Juliusz Slowacki Theatre
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05-JUN-2011 Michal Leszczynski

Juliusz Slowacki Theatre

Juliusz Slowacki Theatre in Krakow, Poland, built in 1893, was modeled after some of the best European Baroque theatres, and named after Polish poet Juliusz Słowacki in 1909.

Designed by Jan Zawiejski, the theatre was erected on Holy Ghost Square in place of the former 14th century church and monastery of religious order 'Duchacy' or Order of the Holy Ghost (hence the name of the square). The church had been converted into a residential building due to secularization of the Polish male branch of the cloister in 1783. The city council of Kraków decided to demolish it in 1886 in order to make room for a new theatre. The church was dismantled in May 1892 — an event which caused much controversy, notably the emotive declaration of Polish painter Jan Matejko, that he would never exhibit his paintings in Krakow again.

The new theatre opened on October 21, 1893. It was an exquisite example of the Polish Eclectic architecture, the first building in Krakow designed for and equipped with electric light. Initially it was called Municipal Theatre. Only in 1909 did it receive the name of Juliusz Słowacki, a Polish poet and playwright of Romanticism.

Inauguration took place with a program consisting of excerpts from Aleksander Fredro's Zemsta, Juliusz Słowacki's Balladyna and Adam Mickiewicz's Konfederaci Barscy. The theatre staged its first full-length production, Fredro's Śluby Panieńskie, four days later.

During Nazi Germany occupation of Poland, the theatre was run by a German troupe. The last Polish play for the next 6 years was produced in Autumn 1939. The theatre reopened for Polish audience in February 1945.

Since March 27, 1976, the theatre is accompanied by the Small Stage housed in the former electric plant (designed in 1890s, to provide the theatre with its own electricity). In 2000 a third stage was added, the summertime Next to the Pump Stage. A fourth one (Stage in the Gate) opened on November 7, 2003.

Canon EOS 40D
1/250s f/10.0 at 18.0mm iso200 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time05-Jun-2011 09:26:36
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 40D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length18 mm
Exposure Time1/250 sec
Aperturef/10
ISO Equivalent200
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programshutter priority (2)
Focus Distance

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Fabienne21-Jul-2011 22:16
C'est une belle photo d'ensemble, ce théâtre est spectaculaire.
Hans Koot19-Jul-2011 21:45
very interesting and great place
Walter Otto Koenig19-Jul-2011 15:37
Nice shot of this impressive building. Great details. "V"
Gerard Koehl19-Jul-2011 14:49
Ce château est magnifique et merci pour toutes ces informations. V
Hank Vander Velde19-Jul-2011 12:07
Very nicely composed image and good info Michal.
Guest 19-Jul-2011 11:49
Fantastic image and details.
Bob White19-Jul-2011 10:43
A very impressive Building and lovely architecture
marie-jose wolff19-Jul-2011 09:19
very impressive theatre, I like the fine baroque architecture! V
Guest 19-Jul-2011 08:25
Beautiful architecture Michal and thanks for the info.
Ton, Ben & Rob Nagtegaal19-Jul-2011 08:03
Fantastic image, great compo too.
Stephanie19-Jul-2011 07:15
What a beautiful building! Love the architecture! V
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