Old Theatre Steyr

Baroque Old Theater, former Cölestinerinnen convent

The Old Theater has a seating capacity of 262 people
Orchestra: 130 seats
Boxes: 34 seats
Balcony: 68 seats and 30 standing places

In August 1646, forced to emigrate due to wartime events, nuns of the Order of Cölestinerinnen arrived from Burgundy via Vienna to Steyr, where Empress Eleonora had purchased a spacious house for them on Berggasse.

In the year 1662, benefactors enabled the conversion of these properties into a monastery building, and in 1676 the construction of a church. In August 1727, the great city fire caused severe damage to these buildings. The reconstruction of the monastery and church, financed by Abbot Ambros of Garsten and benefactors, was completed in 1727.

During the time of Emperor Joseph II (1780-1790), the nuns of the monastery endeavored to educate the female youth, built a schoolhouse, and adopted the rule of the Ursulines. However, various circumstances led to the abolition of the monastery on June 1, 1784, "due to insufficient funds." The school building was taken over by the normal school fund, and the church and monastery were purchased by the city council of Steyr for the appraised value of 3,500 guilders.

The actual conversion into a theater, strongly promoted by Prince Lamberg, only took place in 1796. From 1954, the "old city theater" regularly hosted guest performances from the Linz Landestheater. In 1958, construction began on a larger theater in the former industrial hall, which resulted in the closure of the house on the promenade. It was not until the mid-1970s that the quality of the baroque theater space was reconsidered, and a decision was made to revitalize it.