Olha Kobylianska Music and Drama Theater

One of the most beautiful places in Chernivtsi is the ensemble of the Theater Square with granite descents to the square in the middle. Olha Kobylianska Music and Drama Theater is a masterpiece, the dominant building of the cozy square.

For over a century, citizens have been proud of an extremely beautiful monumental building. The solemn completion of the construction of the theater took place in October 1905. The Austrian publicist G. Heinzen wrote: "The Chernivtsi Theater is a dream of velvet and gold, designed by Viennese architects Helmer and Fellner." The facade of the building is decorated in the Viennese Baroque style with extensive use of Art Nouveau details. The main entrance is decorated with high relief and sculptural compositions based on Greek mythology. Above the windows there are magnificent pediment groups, and in the niches along the side facades there are busts of famous playwrights and writers.

Three-leaf front doors lead to an openwork oval lobby, which is harmoniously combined with white marble stairs to the second and third floors. Entering the elegant hall, the visitor feels as if falling into another dimension. Luxurious velvet armchairs, gilded stucco, ornamental painting, antique chandeliers. Every detail is a reflection of the diverse world of art. Going up to the second floor, you can look in the magic mirror. Unlike other mirrors, it is not solid, but consists of individual oval fragments of different sizes. According to legend, the wish of every person who looks in this mirror will surely come true.

The great masters of the opera and drama scene of Europe performed on the stage of the Chernivtsi Theater: the great Enrico Caruso, Fedir Shaliapin, Solomiya Krushelnytska, Maria Bieshu, the actor of the Austrian drama Moissi and others. And the elegant house has become a real business card of Chernivtsi.