This study offers an overview of the organizational, structural and artistic dimensions of the Estates Theatre in Ljubljana during the period from 1830 to 1840, investigating whether the theatre operated as a national institution or merely as a local municipal venue. In doing so, the discussion encompasses not only the theatre’s overall direction and audience, but also broader themes such as cultural transfer, actor mobility, professional networks and the theatre’s integration into the Habsburg Empire’s theatrical landscape. Additionally, the analysis critically examines the current state of research on this topic.