Théâtre royal de Namur

It is one of the last and most beautiful in Europe , decorated in Italian style (19th century).

The first construction and commissioning of the theater dates back to 1824 . Little is known about this building. The Namur theater burned in 1860 (decor fell on a gas lighting pipe) and in 1862 (lightning struck the theater under construction).

The current Royal Theater stands in the middle of a small square. The eclectic style building in Euville stone is signed and dated 1863 on the 1st floor on the right "Th. Fumière. Architect / MDCCCLXIII". It was rebuilt after a fire in 1867 (a stove caught fire in a dressing room) .
This neoclassical facade has two floors. On the second floor are niches in which the muses Euterpe and Thalie , personifications of Music (left) and Comedy (right), respectively, are carved. After the fire, a portico with Doric columns enlarged the hall in Italian style, richly decorated with Napoleon III style staffwork by Pierre Colleye in 1868.

The interior integrates the French adaptations of the 18th century into the Italian theater: shifting the balconies, installation of a curved dome with a chandelier and decorated with a painted canvas. The dome presents a trompe l'oeil sky, suspended from the frame and resting on no structure. The canvas, a puzzle consisting of 42 pieces, is mounted on the ribbed wooden shell.

Willem Vandenameele