Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of Charles Bridge and stands along
the riverbank at the end of Národní
Třída.
National Theatre (Národní
Divadlo)
—Opened in 1883 with
Smetana's opera
Libuše,
this theater
was the first truly Czech venue in
Prague. From the very start, it was
nicknamed the “Cradle of Czech
Culture.” The building is a key symbol of the Czech national
revival that began in the late 18th century. In 1800, “Prag” was pre-
dominantly German. The Industrial Revolution brought Czechs
from the countr yside into the
city, their new urban identity
defined by patriotic teachers and
priests. By 1883, most of the city
spoke Czech, and the opening of
this theater represented the birth
of the modern Czech nation. It
remains an important national
icon: The state annually pours
more subsidies into this theater
than into all of Czech film production. It's the most beautiful
venue in town for opera and ballet, often with world-class singers
(see page 148).
Next door (just inland, on Národní Třída) is the boxy, glassy
facade of the
Nová Scéna.
This “New National Theatre” building,
dating from 1983 (the 100th anniversary of the original National
Theatre building), reflects the bold and stark communist aesthetic.
Across the street from the National Theatre is the former
haunt of Prague's intelligentsia,
Grand Café Slavia,
a Viennese-
style coffeehouse that is fine for a meal or drink with a view of the
river (see page 134).
• Just south of the National Theatre in the Vltava, you'll find...
Prague's Islands
—From the National Theatre, the Legions'
Bridge (Most Legií) leads across the island called
Střelecký Ostrov.
Covered with chestnut trees, this island boasts Prague's best beach
(on the sandy tip that points north to Charles Bridge). You might see
a fisherman pulling out trout from a river that's now much cleaner
than it used to be. Bring a swimsuit and take a dip just a stone's
throw from Europe's most beloved bridge. In summer, the island
hosts open-air movies (most in English or with English subtitles,
nightly mid-July-early Sept at about 21:00, www.strelak.cz).
In the mood for boating instead of swimming? On the next
island up,
Slovanský Ostrov,
you can rent a boat (40 Kč/hr for
rowboats, 60 Kč/hr for paddleboats, bring a picture ID as deposit).
