The only preserved building of a private aristocratic theatre in Slovakia was built by Count Joseph Erdődy and his wife Elisabeth Mayer in 1802 due to a visit of the Emperor Joseph II. Giving impression of smallness, the empire building is situated in English castle garden, and its dimensions are 30 × 12 metres. The unknown architect focused on its symmetry and moderation. He applied favourite features of that era – middle portico avant-corps with relief decoration formed into a tympanum, attic and frieze. There are coats of arms of the Erdődy Family above both entrances, while relief of flower wreaths with a crossed arrow and quiver and masks with a Latin inscription “To Sisters Thalia [muse of comedy] and Melpomene [muse of tragedy] from a friend of muses G(róf) J(ozef) E(rdődy) 1802”. Putti (naked children with appearance of small angels) are subject matters of six embossments. The taller ones symbolize music and the shorter ones four seasons of the year.  The embossments are assigned to the Czech sculptor Filip Jakub Prokop, who worked for the Erdődy family, to a sculptor Ioannes Ros from Trnava because three embossments are signed “I.R.” or to Italian artist Pietro Travaglia, who took part in castle modifications. Working for the Esterházy family in Eisenstadt, this opera librettist and scenographer is probably the author of the plans for the whole theatre, which was built by local artisans under the supervision of Simon Lehner.
Simply designed interior which can seat 130 visitors is completed by illusive paintings of coffered ceiling with rosettes and portico above the stage. They are enlivened by vases with bouquets, medallions with ancient portraits and putti, who frolic in heavenly dome with fanfares and red rose garland as if during ancient celebrations dedicated to theatre. Above the stage, putti form a procession to pay tribute to Minerva depicted in the centre. One of them carrying attributes of drama was chosen as a subject-matter of postage stamp. Surcharge of FDC represents a view of the central portico avant-corps decorated by putti from the embossment under the coat of arms of the Erdődy family while the flower wreath with a crossed arrow and quiver taken from the attic of portico can be found on the postmark.
Count Jozef Erdődy was a great patron of art. Joseph Haydn composed Opus 76 for him and  Ludwig van Beethoven visited him in Hlohovec during his stay in Dolná Krupá and Piešťany.

                                                                                                                                                                              Marta Herucová