Kiel Opera House

Art Nouveau on Rathausplatz

The Kiel Opera House was built between 1905 and 1907 in the Art Nouveau style and, together with the neighbouring town hall, forms the stately ensemble on Rathausplatz. The elegant building arose at a time when Kiel was flourishing as an imperial naval port and a self-confident middle class desired a stage of its own. The façade with its flowing forms and ornamentation testifies to the stylistic awareness of the era. After wartime destruction, the auditorium was rebuilt and today presents itself in representative splendour that underlines the festive atmosphere of an opera visit.

Stage of Theater Kiel

As the main venue of Theater Kiel, the opera house offers a varied programme of opera, operetta, musicals, ballet and symphony concerts. The Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra plays here, as do vocal and dance ensembles. Over the course of a season, the repertoire ranges from classical operas to modern productions. Anyone planning a visit should check the programme in advance and secure tickets as early as possible, since popular performances sell out quickly. Prices vary considerably depending on seating category and production.

Cultural Centre of the State Capital

Together with the neighbouring playhouse and the Reithalle, the opera house forms the cultural centre of the state capital. Its central location on Rathausplatz makes a visit uncomplicated: the main station is only a few minutes' walk away, and Holstenstraße and numerous restaurants for dinner before or after the performance are right nearby. Anyone planning a cultural evening in Kiel can ideally combine the opera visit with a walk along the fjord or a stroll through the city centre, thus uniting culture and city experience.