Klarisky Concert Hall
Klarisky Concert Hall
Klarisky Concert Hall is the former Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which has served as an important cultural center in Bratislava for decades. This national cultural monument offers barrier-free and flexible space suitable for representative events, which respect its historical and exceptional character.
More about the space
About space
The Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS) manages the interior spaces of the former Poor Clare Church. These include a stage in the altar area, an auditorium in the main nave, and a choir with a functional pedal-free organ and technical facilities. There is also an extension with facilities, including toilets for visitors and dressing rooms for performers. The garden and courtyard, which once belonged to the church complex, are now managed by the University Library.
History of the place
The complex of historical buildings of the former Poor Clare monastery was created in the 13th century, when the Order of Saint Clare, founded by Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, settled in Bratislava. King Andrew III gifted them an abandoned monastery of Cistercian nuns (they fled Bratislava from the raids of the Czech King Přemysl Otakar II in 1273), on whose foundations they built today's Poor Clares.
After the order was abolished by Emperor Joseph II in 1782, the monastery gained a new use – first as the seat of the Law Academy, later as a grammar school. Between 1908 and 1914, the building served various purposes, including a post office. After a fire in 1913, it provided accommodation for the city's residents who had lost their homes. In the same year, the church was deconsecrated and relics were removed from its altars. Since 1940, the building has belonged to the capital city of Bratislava, and in 1963 it was declared a national cultural monument.
Today it serves as Klarisky Concert Hall, managed by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS). The space hosts concerts, lectures, discussions, smaller theatre genres and conferences. The monastery complex itself belongs to the University Library in Bratislava., which has been based here since 1919. It uses it for document restoration, scientific research, and access to manuscripts and old prints. It also functions as a NATO depository library and a UNESCO information and documentation center.
Interesting facts
- The pentagonal tower of the church is one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Bratislava. It is unique in its construction – it has no foundations and stands at the corner of the nave as a so-called "hanging tower".
- After reconstruction in the 20th century, the space became a popular place classical music concerts and festivals
- in the monastery premises there is Bašagić Collection of Islamic Manuscripts, registered in the program UNESCO – Memory of the World
Important information:
In the period from November 21, 2026 to January 31, 2027, it is not possible to rent or provide premises for the implementation of events due to operational and technical reasons.
Availability calendar
Address and contact
Klarisky Concert Hall
Farska 4, 811 03 Bratislava
ks.sikb@llacnepo
+421 917 761 613
Event types
The space is suitable for concerts, lectures, smaller theater formats, discussions, readings, conferences, workshops, community events, openings and exhibitions, etc.
Mainly used for one-day events or short-term activities lasting up to 3 days.
During selected cultural events, the altars are covered. This protects them from damage and at the same time visually separates the historical part with the altars from the events on the stage.
Space capacity
- maximum capacity: 200 visitors*
- total capacity: 235 people (including the organizer and performers)
Area
- main part – auditorium: 147 m² (22 × 6,6 m)
- altar area – stage: 30 m² (4,5 × 6,6 m)
- choir: 21 m² (7 × 3 m)
- background:
- large dressing room: 9,5 m²
- small dressing room: 4 m²
- floor plan of the space (PDF 28 kB)
More about the space
Practical information
What you need to know
- The entrance to the Klarisky Concert Hall is from Farská Street.
- the space is barrier-free (access ramp for immobile people, barrier-free toilets)
- the space is not air-conditioned
- available from 10:00
- Since the space is located in a residential area, after 22:00 PM it is necessary to maintain peace and respect the night's peace
- The space is located in a pedestrian zone without parking, to enter the pedestrian zone you need to apply for permission at the local office of the Staré Mesto district
- prohibited in all indoor areas
- smoking (including electronic cigarettes)
- handling open flames, pyrotechnics or other flammable substances
- use of smoke machines, steam machines, or other effects producing smoke or steam
The space is available
- Wi-Fi connection
- underfloor heating, due to the historical character of the space, the temperature in winter does not exceed 16˚C
- toilets and changing rooms in the back of the building
Basic equipment
- PETROF II concert grand piano + piano stool 2 pcs.
- pedalless organ (made by Petznik Franciscus Eduard in 1788)
- transparent plastic chair 200 pcs
- black upholstered chair (without armrests) 20 pcs
- catering table with black cover / tablecloth (75 x 180 cm) 18 pcs
- stand by table with black cover (diameter 80 cm) 8 pcs
- conference table 1 pc
- music stand 7 pcs
- painting easel (180 cm) 4 pcs
- A-shaped advertising stand (A1 format – 59,4 x 84,1 cm) 2 pcs.
- poster display case – exterior (format 60 x 64,5 cm) 1 pc
- gray blanket 71 pcs
- infrared heater (on stage) 2 pcs
- coat rack 2 pcs
- ramp for the immobile
Technical equipment
Technical plan [PDF, 1,56 MB]
Sound technology
The basis of the sound system is a professional brand system LD Systems, which ensures uniform coverage of the entire space of the nave of the church.
Main system:
- 2 pcs active fullrange speaker LD Stinger 12 A G3
- 2 pcs LD Stinger 15SUB A G3 subwoofer placed near the stage
Delay system:
- 6x active full-range speakers LD Stinger 8A G3 arranged in pairs along the length of the auditorium (at approx. 6 m intervals)
Mixing console:
- Yamaha MG16X (located in the choir) with the option of connecting via a stagebox on the left side of the stage
Player:
- Denon DN-300Z allowing playback from CD, USB, SD card, via Bluetooth or 3,5 mm jack (the device also supports AM/FM radio)
Microphones:
- 2x LD Systems U5O5 HBH 2 wireless set (combination of handheld microphones or “madonna” headsets – headsets are available on request in advance)
Lighting technology:
The installation is divided into auditorium and stage lighting, with the option of control via a wall panel or your own DMX console.
Auditorium lighting:
- 6 pcs RGBWAUV LED PAR (CLF Hera) for ceiling lighting
- 6 pcs rotating wash head (Robe Robin LEDBeam 150) for floor and stair lighting
Stage lighting:
- 6 pcs RGBW LED PAR with zoom (Robe Robin Parfect 150) serving as front light
- 6x RGBWAUV LED PAR (CLF Hera) placed on the ramp as a "contra" light
Controls:
Chamsys Genetix 10 Scene Wall Plate with preset scenes. Possibility of connecting your own console via DMX splitter SRS DST4 (3-pin and 5-pin connection) on the choir. Suitable for hanging decorations, backdrops, projection screen or additional lights (BKIS technician required).
Construction – lifting ramp:
At the back of the stage there is a variable lifting ramp for technical and scenographic purposes.
- Milos M390 support truss (width 4 m) on the Milos MT1 Rigging Tower system
- The ramp is controlled by Chainmaster D8+ motors.
- maximum lifting height is 6,5 m
- the maximum permitted load is 750 kg
Electrical connection points:
- 1x 32A/400V on the left side of the stage
- 1x 32A/400V in the back of the auditorium at the backstage entrance
How to get space
BKIS offers venues, technical equipment and a range of related services through commercial rental – all in one place.
Independent cultural organisers and city districts can apply for the space of the Klarisky Concert Hall through the calls of the BKIS Support Programme.
