Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre — roof that opens in 3 minutes

From the outside, the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre looks like a dark, austere block with no windows—quite the opposite of the baroque townhouses surrounding it. But what makes it more than just an architectural curiosity happens above the audience’s heads: its roof opens in three minutes, and the theatre’s concept dates back to 1601.

Why Here — A History from Four Centuries Ago

In the place where the theatre stands today, there was once the Szkoła Fechtunku in the 17th century — the first public theatre operating within the borders of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was here that, already in 1601, English acting troupes performed plays by William Shakespeare — at a time when Shakespeare himself was still alive and writing. Gdańsk was then one of the few places in this part of Europe where such performances took place.

The idea to restore theatrical functions to this site emerged at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to Professor Jerzy Limon, and in 1997 it led to the creation of the Shakespeare Festival. In 2004, Renato Rizzi’s project won an international architectural competition; in 2008, the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre institution was formally established, and construction of the building took place from 2011 to 2014. The theatre opened on September 19, 2014 — becoming the first theatre built from the ground up in Poland since 1989.

Roof that opens in three minutes

The most unique solution on a global scale is the mechanism of the retractable roof over the auditorium combined with an adaptable space. In about three minutes, the closed theater hall transforms into an open-air venue—allowing summer performances under the open sky while keeping the same stage and audience, without moving anywhere else. This solution cannot be found in other theaters around the world, and it’s one of the main reasons to see the building from the inside, not just from the outside.

Guided Tours – What You’ll Really See

The theatre offers guided tours lasting approximately one hour, during which you’ll learn about the building’s history, see behind-the-scenes areas of the stage, and discover more about the technical aspects of the stage and the roof mechanism. The tour ticket costs around 15 zł (regular) and 10 zł (discounted), with guided groups typically running on Saturdays at 12:00 and 14:00. Check the theatre’s website before your visit for the exact schedule and availability – dates may be adjusted depending on the performance calendar.

Shakespeare Festival and Performances

In addition to visiting the building, the theatre offers a regular programme throughout the year — performances, concerts, and workshops, with tickets starting from around 40 zł. In summer, the Shakespeare Festival takes place here, one of the most important theatrical events in Poland — tickets for the most popular festival performances sell out weeks in advance, so if you plan to visit during the festival season, it’s advisable to book your seats before finalising the rest of your stay in Gdansk, Poland.

How to see it in practice

The theatre is located in the Main Town, a few minutes’ walk from Long Market — easily combined with a stroll through the Main Town without needing extra transport. The building itself, deliberately dark and austere against the surrounding tenements, is worth seeing even without a ticket for a performance or tour — it’s one of the rare examples of bold contemporary architecture placed directly within the historic fabric of the Main Town.

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Planning an evening at the theatre during your stay in Gdansk? Check out apartments in Bastion Wałowa — just a few minutes’ walk from Long Market and the theatre itself — or contact our concierge if you need help with tickets for a specific performance.