The theatre was founded in 1881, after hard work collecting the necessary funding needed for building such a huge theatre. The theatre was intended to be a symbol of The Czech nation's independence and language. In the same year the theatre was destroyed by fire and after two years of expensive reconstruction made by arch. J.Schulz with helping of M. Ales, A. Wagner and others it was reopened on the 18th November 1883 with a premiere of Libuse by B. Smetana, a piece specially composed for this gala occasion. The theatre, perfectly technically equipped (electric lighting, steel stage construction) ran without much alteration for almost a hundred years, but on 1st April 1977 the curtain fell on a performance of Alois Jirásek's "The Lantern" to close the theatre for six years. Reconstruction commenced under the supervision of chief designer, architect Zdenek Vávra. The extensive rebuilding and completion of the theatre's surroundings had to be finished by 18th November 1983 - the hundredth anniversary of the original opening. At that time also several modern structures were built in the vicinity, one of which is now home to the Laterna Magika theatre.
On that day the historic building was reopened to the public, again with a performance of Smetana's "LibuĊĦe". At present this historic, important and beautiful building, together with its adjoining modern building is the main stage for three leading National Theatre companies - the drama, opera and ballet companies.
Location: Narodni trida 2, Nove Mesto (metro Narodni Trida).
Tickets range from 310 CZK to 930 CZK www.narodni-divadlo.cz