Name: Sommertheater Eldena Greifswald 2026
Start: 2026-06-26T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-31T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Klosterruine Eldena (Open Air)

Sommertheater Eldena

About Sommertheater Eldena

Every summer, Theater Vorpommern transforms the Eldena monastery ruins into an open-air stage. In 2026, two comedies are scheduled: 'The Miser' by Molière (premiere June 26) and 'The Dispute' by Marivaux (premiere July 16). Late summer evenings against a Cistercian wall backdrop — a Greifswald tradition.

Dates 26 Jun — 31 Jul 2026

Venue Greifswald (13075)

Prices —

Status —

Edition 2026

Sommertheater Eldena — edition 2026

The 2026 Sommertheater Eldena features two French comedies: 'The Miser' by Molière (premiere June 26, further performances June 27 and July 9–11, 24) and 'The Dispute' by Marivaux (premiere July 16, further dates July 17 and 18). Open-air performances in the monastery ruins.

The 2026 Sommertheater season in the Eldena monastery ruins is dedicated to French comedy.

'The Miser' by Molière opens the season: premiere on Friday, June 26, 2026, 7:30 PM. Repeat performances on June 27 (7:30 PM), June 28 (6 PM), July 9, 10, 11, and 24 (each at 7:30 PM). The five-act comedy about the stingy widower Harpagon is one of Molière's most frequently performed plays.

'The Dispute' by Pierre Carlet de Marivaux follows mid-season: premiere on Thursday, July 16, 2026, 7:00 PM. Further performances on July 17 and 18. The philosophical experiment questions whether man or woman becomes unfaithful first in love — an elegant, multi-layered play with characters who know nothing of the world.

Highlights Sommertheater Eldena 2026

Two French comedies as a double bill
Molière and Marivaux in the monastery ruins
Open-air theatre in the historic monastery structure
Season from late June to late July

Programme Sommertheater Eldena 2026

'The Miser' (Molière)

Premiere: June 26, 2026, 7:30 PM
June 27, 2026, 7:30 PM
June 28, 2026, 6:00 PM
July 9, 2026, 7:30 PM
July 10, 2026, 7:30 PM
July 11, 2026, 7:30 PM
July 24, 2026, 7:30 PM

'The Dispute' (Marivaux)

Premiere: July 16, 2026, 7:00 PM
July 17, 2026
July 18, 2026

Prices Sommertheater Eldena 2026

Prices vary by category and performance. Theater Vorpommern ticket and subscription service, online, and at theatre box offices. Discounts for students, pupils, and Greifswald Pass holders.

Practical information

Practical information — Sommertheater Eldena

Getting There

By city bus from Greifswald main station to the Eldena stop. By car via the B109. Parking spaces within walking distance of the ruins.

Tickets

Tickets are available through the Theater Vorpommern ticket and subscription service, online, and at the theatre box offices. Popular performances sell out quickly — early booking recommended.

Important

Open-air event. Bring warm, weather-proof clothing — evening temperatures in the ruins can be surprisingly cool even in midsummer. Alternative venue in case of rain.

Theatre in a Romantic Ruin Setting

The Sommertheater Eldena is the annual open-air production by Theater Vorpommern. The venue is the Eldena monastery ruins southeast of Greifswald's city center — the remains of a 13th-century Cistercian monastery church, made famous by the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich. The mighty brick walls, window reveals, and free-standing pillars form a natural stage backdrop that few other venues in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can offer.

2026 Programme: Molière and Marivaux

The 2026 Sommertheater season is dedicated to French comedy. The season opens with 'The Miser' by Molière (original title: 'L'Avare'), a five-act comedy about the stingy widower Harpagon — premiere on June 26, 2026, with repeat performances until the end of July. This is followed by 'The Dispute' ('La Dispute') by Pierre Carlet de Marivaux, a philosophical experiment exploring the question of who is more unfaithful in love — man or woman. Premiere on July 16, 2026.

The Flow of a Sommertheater Evening

Performances usually begin at 7:30 PM, sometimes at 6 PM on Sundays. The running time is around two to two and a half hours, including an intermission. In case of rain, the theatre uses alternative venues.

Local Context

Greifswald is part of the Vorpommern-Greifswald district in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Eldena is now a district of Greifswald; the monastery ruins are a listed monument and one of the most famous cultural landmarks of the Hanseatic city. Caspar David Friedrich, born in Greifswald, immortalized the ruins in several paintings — the Sommertheater fits into this artistic tradition.