Národní Divadlo / National Theatre (Prague)
N 50° 04.860 E 014° 24.814
33U E 458043 N 5547801
The back of this 5000 Czechoslovak crowns bank note depicts National Theatre (Národní Divadlo), one of the most beautiful buildings in Prague which evokes once more the Czech national spirit and unity...
Waymark Code: WMKMA4
Location: Hlavní město Praha, Czechia
Date Posted: 05/01/2014
Views: 70
The back of this 5000 Czechoslovak crowns bank note depicts National Theatre (Národní Divadlo), one of the most beautiful buildings in Prague which evokes once more the Czech national spirit and unity...
The National Theatre belongs to the most important Czech cultural institutions, with a rich artistic tradition which was created and maintained by the most distinguished personalities in Czech society. This tradition helped to preserve and develop the most important features of the nation–the Czech language and a sense for a Czech musical and dramatic way of thinking.
The National Theatre became a project in the second half of the 19th century. Because of insufficient funds for its construction, money was collected from all social classes. The foundation stone was placed in 1868, the historical date remembered as the beginning of this amazing edifice. Years passed and finally in 1881, the neo-Renaissance construction was opened for a first performance that took place in the honour of Crown Prince Rudolph.
On 12th August 1881, when the last details were being retouched, a fire broke out and destroyed much of the new building. The event was considered a national catastrophe, but Czechs didn’t stand aside. They started a new campaign for the reconstruction of the National Theatre. Rich and poor contributed and the result was the amazing one million florins gathered in 47 days. In charge of the project was this time architect Josef Schulz, who had the difficult task to unite three different buildings into one harmonious style. His work was successful and in the perfectly designed and equipped (electric lighting, a steel-constructed stage) new National Theatre opened its doors on 18th November 1883 with the performance of Smetana’s opera Libuše, specially composed for this gala occasion.
The theatre served its purposes with loyalty for almost a century, when in 1977 was closed for reconstruction. Everything went precisely by the plan and the theatre opened its gates again exactly on its 100th anniversary. On 18th November 1983 Smetana’s Libuše resounded again as the symbol of national devotion and unity.