Royal City Theater Bruges

The Royal City Theater of Bruges (1869) is one of the best preserved city theaters in Europe .

To make way for this stately lady, 46 medieval buildings were razed to the ground , streets were straightened and a new theater square was constructed. 150 residents lost their homes to the wet dream of the then bourgeoisie: a cultural temple that could rival the large theater houses in Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels .

Behind the austere but stately neo-Renaissance facade hides a palatial foyer and a majestic red-gold theater hall . Contemporary dance and theater performances and concerts are organized here. The red velvet seats can accommodate about 700 spectators . The theater mainly serves as a platform for national and international top productions , but local Bruges cultural and artistic associations also make regular use of it.

The city theater of Bruges is known, among other things, for its monumental chandelier .

A beautiful heritage collection is hidden in the catacombs of the Royal City Theater of Bruges. In addition to set cloths, props and furniture – some of which date back to the 19th century – you will also find a unique collection of stage equipment: from thunder and wind machines to limelights and one of the first light organs. A group of technicians from the Bruges Cultural Center committed themselves to mapping out the collection and making it available to the general public. With the necessary guidance and support from Erfgoedcel Brugge, they take their first steps in numbering, describing, photographing and repacking the theater heritage. They have documented their finds here: Theater Heritage Bruges City Theater

Willem Vandenameele