The Lucerne Theatre

The large white building you’re passing is the Lucerne Theatre. It’s the only multidisciplinary theatre in the region, running performances all year round. It even has its own resident companies! Here, you can watch a play, a dance show, or an opera concert. Unlike the rest of Switzerland, Lucerne has a strong theatrical tradition, thanks to its Catholic heritage. In Protestant regions, biblical plays were often banned or discouraged. Reformers saw them as distractions from proper worship and scripture. Whereas in Lucerne, religious scenes were performed during Easter or Carnival, and the Latin school’s theatre was seen as a legitimate expression of faith. That’s how Lucerne developed a theatre culture unlike anywhere else in central Switzerland. It started with the Jesuits, who offered performance spaces. Then, in 1740, they donated the square beside their church to the city. That’s where Lucerne built its first municipal theatre, opening the stage to secular themes. In the early 19th century, the city wanted to offer proper entertainment and the theatre became a symbol of prestige. Today’s building was made possible thanks to the Saffron Guild, which funded its construction by selling their guild house. In return, they were given the eternal right to a seat in the theatre. The architect chose a simple and functional design. Construction began in 1837 and was completed two years later, with the inaugural performance of William Tell. A fire broke out in 1924, and the theatre was almost demolished to free up space. In the end, a public vote saved it, and it was rebuilt. Today, the Lucerne Theatre is the oldest professional stage in Switzerland still in use. It’s also the only theatre in central Switzerland with three stages under one roof—for drama, opera, and ballet. To keep up with modern needs, a major architectural project is underway to expand and upgrade the theatre. The Lucerne Theatre is ready to carry on for many years to come, and to pass its rich heritage onto future generations.