Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin

The Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin (HNK Varaždin) is a historic theatre in northern Croatia and one of the city's main cultural venues. The building opened in 1873, but theatre in the town goes back much further, to school performances in the seventeenth century.

Where is the theatre and how do you get there?

The theatre stands in Varaždin, in the north of Croatia, not far from the Slovenian and Hungarian borders. According to the local tourist board, the building sits at the southern entrance to the old town, so it is easy to combine with a walk through the centre. Its coordinates are roughly 46.3057 N, 16.3372 E. From the main sights of the city it is usually only a few minutes on foot.

What does the building look like and who designed it?

The Viennese architect Hermann Helmer designed it, and Varaždin was his first theatre commission. Helmer later teamed up with Ferdinand Fellner, and together they founded the Fellner & Helmer firm, which designed theatres in many cities across Central Europe. The building is an example of Historicism; some descriptions call its style neo-Renaissance. For architecture enthusiasts it is an interesting early work by the pair who shaped the look of European playhouses in the late nineteenth century.

What is the history of theatre in Varaždin?

Theatre life in the city began with performances staged at the Jesuit school in 1637. The building that opened in 1873 was the third theatre building in so-called Civil Croatia. In 1898 a professional Croatian ensemble was formed, and until 1915 the stage was run by a drama society led by Ivan Mičetić. This helped make the venue a place where Croatian stage culture developed outside Zagreb.

What kind of venue is it and what can you see?

Databases describe it as an opera house in Varaždin, and its name marks it as a national theatre. The programme and performance dates change with the season, so check the theatre's website or the city tourist information office. Even without a ticket, the facade and surroundings are worth a look, and in the evening you can see how the cultural life of the town gathers around the building.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Varaždin theatre open? In 1873.

Who designed the building? Hermann Helmer, a Viennese architect who later co-founded the Fellner & Helmer firm.

Is it the same theatre as the one in Zagreb? No. The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb is a separate institution that opened in 1895, although it is also linked to Fellner & Helmer.

Is it worth visiting while sightseeing in Varaždin? Yes, especially if you are interested in nineteenth-century architecture and Croatian cultural history. It lies close to the old town, so it hardly requires a detour.

Where can I check the programme? On the theatre's official website and at the Varaždin tourist information office.