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Prague National Theatre - Prága Nemzeti Színház
The National Theatre is one of three buildings that embody the Czech national revival movement. The second of these is Rudolfinum, the showcase for the Czech symphony to perform Czech pieces. The third Revival building is the National Museum, where Czech bits of geological and historical interest are laid in glass cases for all to admire. The theatre was built as a venue for Czech plays. The history of the building is as dramatic as anything that might take place on stage. The ground stones were laid in 1868 and construction was paid for almost entirely by voluntary donations. Czech architect Josef Zitek drew up the plans, and it was scheduled for opening night in August of 1881. Tragically, just days before curtains opened for the first time, it was destroyed by fire, presumably started by metal workers on the roof. But the spirit of national cultural pride was so strong that a mere six weeks later, organizers had gathered enough funds to rebuild it. Many prominent Czech artist contributed to the effort, and two years later it opened at last.