City theatre of Biel

The City Theatre of Biel (German: Stadttheater Biel, French: Théâtre municipal de Bienne) is a theatre building in Biel/Bienne, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Long before it hosted performances, it served very different purposes, which makes its story more interesting than its exterior suggests.

What should you know about this place?

The theatre occupies a former municipal armoury (Zeughaus) built at the end of the 16th century, between 1589 and 1591. The building originally stored the town's arms. From around 1800 it was used as a grain warehouse. This is a familiar pattern in European towns: defensive and utility buildings lose their original role and find a new one.

How did an armoury become a theatre?

In 1842 the first floor was converted into a theatre hall, and the building began its life as the town's stage. The ground floor had yet another career: from 1906 to 1935 its hall housed the fire brigade. For a time, then, theatre and fire station shared one roof.

A major restoration took place in 1979–1980, which helped the building survive as a working theatre to this day.

Who performs here?

In 1927 the theatres of Biel/Bienne and neighbouring Solothurn joined forces in a shared institution known as the Städtebundtheater Biel-Solothurn. The cooperation continues in a new form: the current company, Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, serves both towns and their venues. Theatre and music productions are therefore presented in two places, with artists performing in both houses.

Why visit?

• It shows how Swiss towns turned practical historic architecture into cultural space.
• The building stands in the old-town area of Biel/Bienne, so a visit combines easily with a walk through the centre.
• The city is bilingual (German and French), which you will notice in names and on posters.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the City Theatre of Biel? In Biel/Bienne, canton of Bern, in western Switzerland on Lake Biel.

When was the building constructed? It was built as an armoury in 1589–1591. The first floor became a theatre in 1842.

Is it still a working theatre? Yes. The stage belongs to the joint Biel–Solothurn institution, which performs in both towns.

Has the building been renovated? Yes, a major restoration was carried out in 1979–1980.

Should I check the programme in advance? Yes. The schedule depends on the season and on which of the two towns hosts a given production, so check the current programme on the theatre's website before you go.

The City Theatre of Biel suits visitors who like to combine culture with architectural history: an old armoury, a grain store, a fire station and finally a stage, all in one building with a centuries-long past.