Atrium under the City Tower – the past in pictures

Welcome to Atrium under the City Tower, the relaxation and cultural space. In the past, this place was situated outside the city walls. After demolition of part of the fortifications in the 19th century, the city garden, known as Népkért or Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove), was located at the site of today’s Atrium. Brezina Forest Park could be accessed up the adjacent alley of the same name.

From 1961, a summer cinema operated at the site, ceasing to exist in 1974 when the entire eastern side of Sládkovičova Street was demolished. From 2019 through 2020, the Atrium under the City Tower underwent reconstruction into its present form.

1. Cadastral map (around 1900) displaying the Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) city garden.
Pic. 1: Cadastral map (around 1900) displaying the Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) city garden.
2.The beautiful Kirchner house in the Art Nouveau style stood on the corner of the adjacent Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) alley (1930).
Pic. 2: The beautiful Kirchner house in the Art Nouveau style stood on the corner of the adjacent Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) alley (1930).
3. At the end of the Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) alley, there were stairs and paths leading to Brezina Forest Park (around 1950).
Pic. 3: At the end of the Ľudový hájik (Folk Grove) alley, there were stairs and paths leading to Brezina Forest Park (around 1950).
4. There was a popular summer cinema in the rear section of this building (1974).
Pic. 4: There was a popular summer cinema in the rear section of this building (1974).
5. Before the performance; a projection booth in the background (1971).
Pic. 5: Before the performance; a projection booth in the background (1971).
6. Concerts and folklore performances used to be held here; the Družba ensemble on the photo.
Pic. 6: Concerts and folklore performances used to be held here; the Družba ensemble on the photo.
7. View of the gardens from the path leading to Brezina Forest Park; the future summer cinema site on the right (around 1950).
Pic. 7: View of the gardens from the path leading to Brezina Forest Park; the future summer cinema site on the right (around 1950).
8. House above the summer cinema, stairs leading to Brezina Forest Park (1974).
Pic. 8: House above the summer cinema, stairs leading to Brezina Forest Park (1974).
9. Last moments of the summer cinema (1974).
Pic. 9: Last moments of the summer cinema (1974).
10. Excavator tears down the rear section of the building at the site of today’s Atrium under the City Tower (1974).
Pic. 10: Excavator tears down the rear section of the building at the site of today’s Atrium under the City Tower (1974).
11. Demolished summer cinema as viewed from its lower part; projection booth on the left (1974).
Pic. 11: Demolished summer cinema as viewed from its lower part; projection booth on the left (1974).
12. The last moments of the Kirchner House; the stairs to the District Office are located here today (1974).
Pic. 12: The last moments of the Kirchner House; the stairs to the District Office are located here today (1974).
13. View of the demolition of the eastern part of Sládkovičova Street.
Pic. 13: View of the demolition of the eastern part of Sládkovičova Street.
14. View of the city fortifications revealed after demolition, as seen from Štúrovo Square (1974).
Pic. 14: View of the city fortifications revealed after demolition, as seen from Štúrovo Square (1974).
15. All the rubble had been removed by March 1975.
Pic. 15: All the rubble had been removed by March 1975.
16. A year later, the frame of a new building, the then District National Committee, stood in that place (1976).
Pic. 16: A year later, the frame of a new building, the then District National Committee, stood in that place (1976).
17. The Atrium after its completion in the early 1980s (photo by Ervín Ali).
Pic. 17: The Atrium after its completion in the early 1980s (photo by Ervín Ali).

Thank you for contributing the photos:

  • State Archive Trenčín (no. 1)
  • Trenčianske múzeum in Trenčín (no. 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14)
  • Milan Vrba (no. 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17)

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