St Stanislaus Cathedral
Mogilev, Belarus
Mogilev Drama Theatre
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Photo: Gohnarch, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Facade free, plays ticketed
- Hours
- Facade — any time; box office: Mon 13:00–20:00, Tue–Sat 8:00–20:00, Sun 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Address
- Pervomaiskaya St 7, Mogilev (Mahilyow)
- Outside
- Free, any time
- Box office
- Mon 13:00–20:00; Tue–Sat 8:00–20:00; Sun 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Box office phone
- +375 222 65-66-04
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Building tour
- 30 min for groups of 10–25, 6 BYN; 50 min with an acting masterclass, 15 BYN; book on +375 222 65-52-34
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Play tickets
- Unofficially 5–25 BYN; exact prices at the box office
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Show times
- Unofficially matinees at 11:00, evening shows at 18:30
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Doors
- Open 45 minutes before the show; no entry after the third bell
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Language
- Mostly Russian, a few plays in Belarusian
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Payment
- Belarusian roubles (BYN) in cash; foreign cards may be declined
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
1886–1888built with money donated by the townspeople
3 sourcesi
theatre's official website (mdrama.by)Belarusian WikipediaKnow Your Land (my-places.by)Pyotr Kamburovthe provincial architect who designed it
3 sourcesi
theatre's official websiteBelarusian WikipediaTonkosti (tonkosti.ru)Russian Revivalred brick, white trim and little towers flanking the entrance
2 sourcesi
Russian and Belarusian WikipediaTonkostiNicholas IIwatched shows here during the First World War, when army headquarters sat in Mogilev — hence the 'imperial box'
3 sourcesi
theatre's official websiteRussian WikipediaTonkostiRachmaninoffgave concerts here; actress Vera Komissarzhevskaya played on this stage
3 sourcesi
theatre's official websiteRussian WikipediaPutevka (putevka.com)Warsawthe boxes copy those of the Warsaw Maly Theatre
2 sourcesi
Russian WikipediaKnow Your LandListedon the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of Belarus
2 sourcesi
Belarusian WikipediaWikidata1954the Pinsk regional drama company moved in and became today's troupe
2 sourcesi
Russian WikipediaNational Archives of Belarus (archives.gov.by)M@rt.kontaktinternational youth theatre forum the theatre co-founded
2 sourcesi
theatre's official websiteosipovichi.gov.byLady with a Dogthe sculpture by the main entrance
2 sourcesi
TonkostiKnow Your LandHow to buy tickets and what they cost
Tickets are sold at the box office at Pervomaiskaya 7 and online through the sales site linked from the theatre's own website. The box office opens every day: Monday 13:00–20:00, Tuesday to Saturday 8:00–20:00 with no lunch break, Sunday 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00. Phone bookings: +375 222 65-66-04.
The theatre does not publish prices. Unofficially, tickets run 5 to 25 Belarusian roubles depending on the play and seat — far below western European theatre prices. Big premieres sell out early, so check the playbill a couple of weeks ahead.
Paying: Belarus works in roubles (BYN). Cards issued by banks outside Belarus and Russia may be declined, so carry enough cash for the box office; Russian Mir cards work. This is unofficial — check with your bank before you travel.
Everyone from age 3 needs a ticket, and age ratings are enforced. Returning a ticket at the box office at least a day before gets you 75% back; tickets bought online cannot be refunded there.
What is the building and why it matters
It is one of the oldest theatre buildings in Belarus still used as a theatre. Townspeople paid for it with donations, and it went up in 1886–1888 to a design by provincial architect Pyotr Kamburov, with engineer Vladislav Milyanovsky on the building committee.
The style is Russian Revival: local red brick, white window surrounds, cornices, ogee arches and small corner towers under grey tent roofs. Inside, the auditorium sits in the middle of a rectangular plan, and its boxes copy those of the Warsaw Maly Theatre.
For decades there was no resident company — touring troupes rented the stage. Vera Komissarzhevskaya and Fyodor Chaliapin performed here and Sergei Rachmaninoff gave concerts. When Mogilev hosted the Russian army's supreme headquarters in 1915–1917, Tsar Nicholas II came to shows and film screenings; the carved central box has been the 'imperial box' ever since.
Today's troupe dates from 1954, when the Pinsk regional drama theatre was moved here. Around the turn of the 21st century the building went through a long restoration that strengthened the foundations and brought back the early 20th-century interiors.
What to see
- The main facade with towers either side of the door — best seen from across Pervomaiskaya Street.
- The brickwork up close: window surrounds, cornices and arches change from one storey to the next.
- The Lady with a Dog sculpture at the entrance — the classic photo spot.
- The imperial box with its carved wood, centre of the auditorium — visible at a show or on the tour.
- The foyers and the music salon upstairs — part of the guided tour.
- A small exhibition on Nicholas II in the central promenade — also on the tour.
- The facade lit up after dark, if you stay in town for the evening.
Can you tour the theatre without seeing a play?
Yes, but only by appointment. The theatre runs a 30-minute overview for groups of 10–25: ground-floor foyer, art foyer, auditorium, the Nicholas II display and the music salon, followed by a short scene from a current production. The listed price is 6 BYN.
A 50-minute version for groups of 5 or more adds either a string quartet concert in the salon or an acting masterclass at 15 BYN. Dates are arranged with the chief administrator on +375 222 65-52-34, weekdays 8:00–17:00. Tours are given in Russian.
If you are on your own, it is worth asking to join a group that is already booked. If that fails, a matinee ticket gets you the same interiors with a show thrown in.
Is it worth it if you don't speak Russian?
The outside, yes — it is one of the most striking buildings in central Mogilev and sits right on the walk between Glory Square and St Stanislaus Cathedral. Five minutes for photos is time well spent.
A play depends on the language. Almost everything is in Russian, with a couple of Belarusian productions, and there are no surtitles listed. Without Russian, pick a children's fairy tale (0+ or 6+, 40 minutes to two hours) or a music evening — you get the historic hall without needing to follow the dialogue.
Not worth a special trip to Mogilev on its own. If you are in town for a day, make it the last stop of a walk through the centre. In late March, check the M@rt.kontakt youth theatre forum, held here since 2006, which brings productions from other countries.
How to get to Mogilev Drama Theatre
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- St Stanislaus Cathedral is about 5 min away on foot.
- Mogilev Town Hall is about 6 min away on foot.
- Glory Square is about 7 min away on foot.
More tips
- Start at Glory Square (Ploshchad Slavy). Walk about 300 m north-east along pedestrian Leninskaya Street, then turn left onto Pervomaiskaya Street; the theatre is number 7, about 5–7 minutes on foot. The red-brick towers are easy to spot from the corner.
- From Leninskaya Street the theatre is a couple of minutes off to the side; from the Town Hall it is about 5–10 minutes on foot.
- From Mogilev-1 railway station or the central bus station, take a bus or minibus to the Dramteatr stop, or a trolleybus to Ploshchad Ordzhonikidze, about 10–15 minutes. A taxi takes about as long.
- Pay for city transport in cash — keep small rouble notes for the driver or the kiosk at the stop.
Before you go
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You are ready for the visit
Theatre, Town Hall or cathedral: what to fit in
| Drama Theatreyou are here | Working 19th-century theatre | Facade and imperial box | Ticket or booked tour | 15–30 min outside | Evening, for a show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Hall | City hall on Sovetskaya Square | City landmark above the Dnieper | See the place page | ≈ 30–45 min | Daytime |
| St Stanislaus Cathedral | Baroque Catholic cathedral | Frescoes inside | Free, it is a church | ≈ 30 min | Daytime, outside services |
All three are a few minutes apart. Do the Town Hall and the cathedral by day and keep the theatre for the evening, when the facade is lit and the curtain goes up.
Historic Mogilev: compare and choose
Every historic place in Mogilev with a YesGo score. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Mogilev Drama Theatreyou are here | 45 | 30 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glory Square | 45 | 20 min | Free | 7 min walk |
| St Stanislaus Cathedral | 44 | 20 min | Free | 3 min walk |
| St Nicholas Monastery | 43 | 45 min | Free | 16 min walk |
| Cathedral of the Three Holy Hierarchs | 43 | 20 min | Free | 28 min walk |
| Leninskaya Street | 42 | 1 h | Free | 16 min walk |
| Mogilev Town Hall | 39 | 45 min | 3.50 BYN, tower 8 BYN | 6 min walk |
| Maslennikov Art Museum | 37 | 1 h | 4.40 BYN | 21 min walk |
| Buinichi Field Memorial | 36 | 1 h | Free | 6.5 km |
Central Mogilev ending at the theatre
Glory Square, the Town Hall and Leninskaya Street by day, the cathedral in the late afternoon, then the theatre facade or a show. Add the whole route in one tap — YesGo sets the timing and the walks.
- Glory Square20 min · Free, open 24/7
- 3 min walk from the previous stopMogilev Town Hall45 min · 3.50 BYN, tower 8 BYN
- 21 min walk from the previous stopLeninskaya Street1 h · Free, open 24/7
- 14 min walk from the previous stopSt Stanislaus Cathedral20 min · Free
- 3 min walk from the previous stopMogilev Drama Theatreyou are here30 min · Facade free, plays ticketed
5 places · about 3 h 36 min with walks · 41 min on foot in total
Nearby and on your route
How to do it right
- The best shot of the whole facade is from across Pervomaiskaya Street; the red brick looks richest on an overcast day.
- Photos and video during a performance need the administration's permission — shoot the foyer and the box before curtain or at the interval.
- Coats must go to the cloakroom, but it won't take bags, phones or valuables — keep those with you.
- Seats are numbered and latecomers are not let in after the third bell, so leave a margin.
- Matinee fairy tales are short and cheap — the easiest way to see the hall with children or without Russian.
Questions
How much are tickets at Mogilev Drama Theatre?
The theatre does not publish prices. Unofficially, 5–25 BYN depending on the play and seat.
Where can I buy tickets?
At the box office at Pervomaiskaya 7, online via the sales site linked from the theatre's website, or by phone on +375 222 65-66-04.
What are the box office hours?
Monday 13:00–20:00, Tuesday to Saturday 8:00–20:00, Sunday 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00.
Can I tour the theatre?
Yes, by appointment: a 30-minute tour for groups of 10–25 at 6 BYN, or 50 minutes with a masterclass at 15 BYN for groups of 5 or more. Tours are in Russian.
Are plays in English?
No. Almost all plays are in Russian and a few in Belarusian; no surtitles are listed. Children's shows are the easiest choice without the language.
When was the theatre built?
In 1886–1888, designed by provincial architect Pyotr Kamburov and paid for by local donations.
Where is Mogilev Drama Theatre?
At Pervomaiskaya Street 7 in the city centre, a 5–7 minute walk from Glory Square. The nearest stops are Dramteatr and Ploshchad Ordzhonikidze.
Is there a dress code?
No formal one, but you may not enter in outdoor clothing or untidy clothes, and coats must go to the cloakroom.
What time do shows start?
Unofficially, matinees at 11:00 and evening shows at 18:30. Check the playbill for your date.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Mogilev Regional Drama Theatre official website (mdrama.by): About, Contacts, Exhibitions and tours, Visitor rules, Repertoire
- Russian Wikipedia: Mogilev Regional Drama Theatre; Belarusian Wikipedia: Mahilyow Regional Drama Theatre; Wikidata Q4299213
- Know Your Land (my-places.by): Mogilev, Drama Theatre
- Tonkosti (tonkosti.ru): Mogilev Drama Theatre
- Putevka (putevka.com): Mogilev through locals' eyes
- National Archives of Belarus (archives.gov.by): transfer of the Pinsk regional theatre to Mogilev
- osipovichi.gov.by: International Youth Theatre Forum M@rt.kontakt
- Visasam (visasam.ru): bank cards that work in Belarus in 2026
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