The National Theatre in Prague is a place that has special significance for the Czechs. When the country was still part of the Hapsburg empire and the German culture and language were the more prevalent, the Czechs built this theatre with their own donations, hoping to make it an "ethnic theatre" where they can put on plays in their own language.
For this reason, on the upper part of its stage, these words are inscribed in gold: "NAROD SOBE!" (The Nation for Itself!). In 1881, the construction almost completed, the theatre was opened for a while, but was soon destroyed by fire. It was reopened in 1883, with the money donated once more by the Czech people. On both occasions of the theatre's inauguration, Bedrich Smetana's festive opera Libuse was performed. In his essay "The Building of the National Theatre", later to be included in Obrazky z domova, Karel Capek (1890-1938), a major Czech author, expresses his affection for this beautiful theatre, which is located on a magnificent site by the Vltava (Moldau) river, commanding a panoramic view of the Petrin hill and the Prague Castle (Hradcany) on the other bank.
A Neo-Rennaisance building of 1868-81, built to plans of J. Zitek. A fire destroyed much of the building in its first year of existence; it was reconstructed by architect Josef Schulz in 1883. The outside and inside decoration was completed by the artists of the National Theatre generation M. Ales, F. Zenisek, V. Hynais, J. V. Myslbek, etc. The National Theatre is the outstanding Czech stage and its repertoire consists of drama, opera and ballet performances. Besides the Czech Philharmonic and the National Gallery, the National Theater in Prague is one of the Czech cultural institutions with a rich artistic tradition created and kept alive by foremost personalities of Czech cultural life. This tradition helped to preserve and maintain what is most significant to the nation: the Czech language as well as Czech theatrical and musical sensibility and thinking.
The National Theater's eminence is shaped today by its three artistic ensembles - opera, ballet and drama that alternate performances in the historical building of National Theater, in the Theater of the Estates (Stavovske divadlo) and in the Kolowrat Theater. All three artistic companies select their repertoire not only from a varied classical legacy, but in addition to Czech authors, they also stage works by top contemporary theatrical personages.

The box offices are open half an hour before the beginning of performances. Advance booking for tickets at the box offices one month before the performance. Tickets are available at the box offices of the National Theater and the Theater of the Estates for the performances in all the theaters administered by the National Theater.
On the days when performances are being held in the Kolowrat Theater the box office in the Theater of the Estates is closed. You may buy tickets at the box office in the Kolowrat Palace.