Miskolc National Theatre

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The Miskolc National Theatre, Hungary's oldest permanent theatre performing in Hungarian, boasts a history spanning nearly two centuries, during which the theatre's story has been closely intertwined with that of the city. The story began in 1815, when the first Hungarian permanent theatre company settled in Miskolc after leaving Cluj-Napoca. Their performances in the coach house of the Korona Inn and the cobbler's theatre near the Sötétkapu were so successful that the citizens of Miskolc decided to build a permanent theatre, which opened its doors in 1823. The first theatre was destroyed by a massive fire twenty years later, but the audience was undeterred and immediately resolved to rebuild it. Construction of the new theatre took ten years, and it reopened in 1857 with Mihály Vörösmarty's play "Marót bán." The building was designed by József Cassano, an architect of Italian descent, who combined classical style with romantic elements. The theatre boasts several "firsts": it is one of the country's oldest continuously operating theatres, and performances have been held at the same location since its reopening in 1857. Over its history, the theatre has undergone numerous modernisations, including the introduction of electric lighting, upgrades to the heating system, and an expansion of the auditorium in 1925. In the second half of the 20th century, the theatre underwent significant renovations, during which it was expanded to include neighbouring buildings, effectively doubling its size. Thanks to renovations in the 1990s, several new performance spaces were created, such as the Hall, the Chamber Theatre, the Playhouse, and the Summer Theatre. These spaces allow the theatre to host a variety of genres, including drama, music, and ballet. An iconic figure associated with the theatre is Eszter Bató, whose memory is preserved by the bell created in her honour. The legend of the bell and the story of the theatre's construction are closely intertwined and remain an important part of Miskolc's cultural heritage. To this day, the Miskolc National Theatre remains the cultural heart of the city, announcing new seasons year after year. Its history proves that while much has changed on the stage over two centuries, the love for art and theatre endures.