The magnificent building of the National Theatre is opposite the Prague Castle on the embankment of the Vltava. It was built in the style of Neo-Renaissance in 1881. Today it is the main place of opera and ballet performances of both Czech and world authors in the country.
This theatre was destroyed by fire several months later. This was seen as a real disaster by the whole nation, and the theatre was restored with public donations only in 2 years. For this reason, on the upper part of its stage, these words are inscribed in gold: "NAROD SOBE!" (The Nation for Itself!).
The most famous Czech artists thought it an honour to work on the magnificent interior decoration of the theatre. In 20 century the theatre was enlarged for account of adding to it the Small Stage.
