New theatre

Today I went over to see the new Theatre complex by the Danube just east of the Old Town area. Some of the ballets I am seeing next month are performed here, so I wanted to check out the bus routes. One line runs from two blocks from my flat to within one block of the complex -- perfect!

The complex has several theatres. The front facing the river has a mirror-like quality that reflects some of the many construction cranes nearby. Construction on the theatres began in 1986, while the Communists were still in charge, but it took 21 years to complete, due mainly to a lack of funding. It finally opened on April 14, 2007.

The back of the complex houses offices and rehearsal halls. The silver dome protects an outdoor spiral staircase leading to the lower level. The parking garage is underground below the complex.

A sprawling construction site surrounds the theatre complex by the river and to the west. This will be the new Eurovea complex with shops, offices, and housing, built by the Irish development company, Ballymore. The complex will include a 5-star Sheraton Hotel.

Southeast of the theatre plaza is the Apollo Bridge, opened in 2005. The Theatre complex is located on the site of the Nazi Apollo gas refinery, obliterated by U.S. bombers in September 1944. Soviet ground troups from the east defeated the Nazis here in April 1945.

The web site for the new Theatre is here: http://www.snd.sk/?home

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