The Municipal Theatre was one of the most recognisable buildings in pre-war Szczecin, or Stettin at the time. Its elegant architecture definitely stood out among the downtown buildings. The stage operated for almost a century and attracted successive generations of spectators. The bombed-out building disappeared from the city map after 1945.
The beginnings of theatrical life in Szczecin
Before a professional theatre was built, the city was populated mainly by amateur companies and groups that visited Szczecin on tour. The space next to the Sailor’s House played an important role, as it allowed performances to be organised for local residents. The stage there was technically limited, but allowed interest in the performing arts to develop. The merchants ran a small theatre in the buildings adjacent to the Loitz Courtyard, and its modernisation in 1792 gave rise to the Comedienhaus. This building operated for decades and became the basis for thinking about a larger investment that would bear the weight of growing audience expectations.
Szczecin City Theatre – decision to build
In 1844, the magistrate sent a letter to the merchant corporation asking them to consider building a real theatre. The city needed a space capable of accommodating a larger audience, and the former Comedienhaus was no longer fit for purpose. A location was proposed in the northern part of the square located at the exit of Mariacka and Farna Streets. The merchants did not make a decision until two years later, due to the need to raise funds and to analyse the technical possibilities. Work officially began on 17 December 1846.
Difficulties and grand opening
Construction encountered problems with the location of the site. The building was being constructed in the area of a former moat, which was still deep in the early 18th century, and the ground did not guarantee stability. Workers had to reinforce the foundations and adapt the design to the ground conditions. The drawn-out process required additional resources and precise supervision. The building was officially opened on 21 October 1849 with the staging of Goethe’s “Egmont”. On the same day, a statue of King Friedrich Wilhelm III was unveiled in front of the entrance, highlighting the importance of the theatre to the city.
The Municipal Theatre in Szczecin – architecture and development
The project was designed by Carl Ferdinand Langhans, known for his theatres and opera houses in many German cities. His concept was primarily a striking façade with a functional interior layout to accommodate technically demanding performances. The work was directed by the builder Degner, taking care of the precision of execution. The building was constructed on the White Parade Ground, which had previously been a military training ground. In 1899 a major extension was made to the theatre, which completely transformed the appearance of the front of the building and gave it an even more representative look. In the following years, the backstage area, storerooms and rooms for offices and a restaurant were enlarged, improving the working conditions for the company.
Operation of the theatre and change of ownership
The maintenance of the building was generating high costs, so the merchants sold the building to the city for 120,000 marks. The authorities wanted to give it a new lease of life, which involved plans to rebuild and adapt it to modern needs. The theatre enjoyed high attendance and its repertoire included a variety of art forms. Many accounts emphasised the importance of the venue to the local community as it provided an opportunity to experience high quality culture. As the town grew, the venue gained in role and formed a large part of its identity.
Wartime destruction of Szczecin
World War II brought extensive damage to the centre of Szczecin, including the theatre. An air raid on 17 August 1944 damaged the upper parts of the building and some of the interiors were burnt. Despite this, the structure remained stable enough that experts spoke of the possibility of reconstruction. Documents from the post-war period confirm that the technical condition of the theatre allowed it to be reconstructed. After the takeover of the building by the Polish authorities in the second half of 1945, an inventory of the ruins began. The theatre was still present in the city space and attracted the interest of the new inhabitants of Polish Szczecin.
Post-war decisions and demolition
The Mayor of Szczecin, Piotr Zaremba, was in favour of removing the damaged building, arguing that it needed to expose the view of the Oder River. The local press published commentaries that further reinforced the belief that it should be demolished. In the absence of an official demolition decision, the Directorate of Reconstruction prepared a reconstruction project, demonstrating the existence of an alternative approach. However, the project was not given the go-ahead and in 1954 the building was demolished, thus scuttling the possibility of saving and preserving it for future generations.
Szczecin City Theatre and the empty square today
For many years afterwards, the theatre site remained undeveloped, creating an empty space in the city centre with no clear function. It was not until 1978 that the construction of the Castle Route began, which cut across the former square and changed its layout. Between 1990 and 2013, on the site where the theatre stood, there was the Maciejewicz Mast, dedicated to Captain Konstanty Maciejewicz and the history of the ship which served as a training vessel. The site was an important symbol for maritime circles and residents connected to Szczecin’s maritime traditions. When it was removed, the area once again became an empty space without any expression. Looking at old photographs today, it is hard to believe that less than a century ago the area around Hołdu Pruskiego Square and St Peter and St Paul’s Church was densely packed with elegant buildings and teeming with urban life.
Source: pomeranica.pl
Read also: Szczecin | Architecture | Architecture in Poland | Monuments | History | Interesting facts
Municipal Theatre in 1940 and the same place today. Source: Bildarchiv Foto Marburg and Google Maps
The building as seen from the front in 1939 and the same frame today. Source: West Pomeranian Digital Library and Google Maps
