Drottningholms Slottsteater
Well-preserved 18th-century theatre from 1766 in the Drottningholm World Heritage Site, with hand-operated stage machinery and original scenery, shown on guided tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Drottningholm Palace Theatre was built in 1766 on the initiative of Queen Lovisa Ulrika, to designs by Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, on the site where an earlier theatre had burned down in 1762. The stage machinery was made by Donato Stopani. Behind the simple façade lies one of the world's best-preserved theatre interiors from the 18th century, with painted marbling and wooden machinery that is still operated by hand.
The theatre's heyday came under Gustav III from 1777, when opera, ballet and theatre were performed at the palace every summer. After the king's death in 1792 the theatre was closed and fell into oblivion, and the building served for a long time as a furniture store. The literary historian Agne Beijer rediscovered it in 1921, and after a restoration the theatre could be reopened in 1922.
Today the theatre has been a state foundation since 2007 and is part of the Drottningholm World Heritage Site. Some thirty historical stage sets are still in use, and the theatre is the only one in the world that regularly uses its original stage machinery in performances. Opera and music performances are given during the summer, and tours, concerts and activities for children and young people are arranged throughout the year. The building is part of Sweden's Cultural Canon (Sveriges kulturkanon).
Highlights
- Theatre from 1766 with hand-operated stage machinery that is still used
- About thirty preserved original stage sets from the 18th century
- Guided tours with a visit to Adelcrantz's room and the Déjeunersalongen (Déjeuner Salon)
- Family tours and tours of the palace park
- Part of the Drottningholm World Heritage Site
- Founded
- 1766
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Drottningholms Slottsteater
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Family tours and programmes for children and young people are arranged, as well as school programmes. Children's performances are staged in the Déjeunersalongen.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Drottningholms slott
Metro to Brommaplan and from there by bus to Drottningholm.
The theatre is in the Drottningholm palace grounds on Lovön, in the park near Drottningholm Palace. Boat trips run from Stadshuskajen in summer.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop Teaterboden is in the theatre, where a five-minute film about the stage machinery is shown. Kina slottskafé (the Kina castle café) is in the park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The standard tour tells of theatre life and the finer points of the stage machinery; the machinery is not demonstrated during the standard tour. Tickets and information about tours: guide@dtm.se, tickets: biljett@dtm.se. In addition to the tour there is the outdoor show Spektakel in the palace park (with a coffee break at Kina slottskafé). |
