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Prague National Theatre
The gorgeous building by the Vltava bank, near our hotel Julian, can be seen and recognized from anywhere in Prague by its characteristic Golden Roof and impressive sculptures.
The historical building was constructed in 1883, but the idea of having a state building to serve as a theatre was planted long before, in 1844 at meetings of patriots of Prague.
About three years later, the body in charge of arranging funding for the construction, bought the 28 acres of land at the magnificent Vltava bank having the Prague Castle at its panoramic views. But the era of Bach’s absolutism halted the preparations for the buildings, an instead a provisional theatre was erected in 1862.
BUILDING A STATE OF ART
Four progressive and young advocates of the original ambitious concept of the building - Sladkovský, Tyrš, Neruda, Hálek, teamed up with the young professor Josef Zítek to draft a design for the National Theatre and in 1877 the building was on its final stages.
The interior decoration had two main purposes: the classical Neo Renaissance concept and Slavonic mythology, based on Mánes-style painting and connected with contemporary Romantic landscape painting, also linked to Czech history.
INAUGURATION AND FIRE
On 11 June 1881, the National Theatre had its doors open for the first time to honour the visit of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. It staged 11 performances and then was closed again to final touches. During this final works, a fire broke and destroyed the copper dome, the auditorium and the stage of the theatre. Considered a national disaster and bringing a chaotic political period, Zitek was pushed away and his pupil Josef Schultz was appointed to the reconstruction. Schultz managed to merge three buildings and improved visibility of the auditorium but still respecting with the utmost sensitivity the style of his tutor Zítek.
RE-INAUGURATION TO LAST 100 YEARS
A special festive opera, called Libuše by Bedřich Smetana, was composed and performed on the re-inauguration on 18 of November 1883. The technical terms were so perfectly placed in the theatre that no works were needed for 100 years, when a reconstruction and extensive redevelopment was completed on its 100th anniversary and once again, Libuše by Smetana was performed.
THE THEATRE TODAY
Seen as a monument of art by tourists, Czech artists see performing at the National Theatre as the uttermost recognition in the country which sell-out for most of its performances.
Tickets can be purchased online here.
E-tickets are free. There is a mailing fee of 79 CZK for tickets posted in the country and 290 CZK for posting it to abroad.
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Article written by Mauricio Schuler