amphitheater in Čertova rokle

The amphitheater in Čertova rokle is a natural open-air venue tucked into a wooded ravine at the heart of the Lesná housing estate in Brno, in the South Moravian Region of Czechia. The name itself — Čertova rokle, meaning "Devil's Ravine" — comes from the steep, tree-lined gorge that shapes the whole site. The surrounding park covers roughly 12 hectares and, besides the amphitheater stage, includes playgrounds and multipurpose sports facilities used by residents of the estate year-round.

How did this place come to be?

The amphitheater was built more than fifty years ago, alongside the construction of the Lesná estate itself — one of Brno's landmark postwar modernist housing developments. The natural shape of the ravine, with slopes descending toward a lower point, made it a natural fit for an outdoor stage with tiered seating carved into the terrain. In its early years the venue was a lively cultural hub, hosting concerts and theater performances for the estate's residents right on their doorstep.

Why did it fall into disrepair?

Like many postwar cultural venues across Czechoslovakia, the amphitheater gradually lost its original purpose. Without regular upkeep, the site spent decades overgrown with wild vegetation, and the stage infrastructure deteriorated. It wasn't until 2012 that the area underwent its first serious cleanup and restoration, which brought the amphitheater back into usable condition and allowed cultural events to resume.

What changed in recent years?

The real turning point came through local participatory budgeting. In 2021, as part of Brno's "Dáme na vás" participatory budget program, the amphitheater received a further round of improvements. Earlier, in 2017, a project was submitted to equip the site with lighting and stairs leading down to the seating area — covering illumination for the entrance, stage, and audience zone, plus wooden seating surfaces built into the natural slope. These investments gave the venue new lighting and easier access to the seating, improving both comfort and safety for evening events.

What happens at the amphitheater today?

Today, the Čertova rokle amphitheater functions as a living cultural center for the Lesná neighborhood, particularly active during the summer season. It hosts open-air film screenings — including a traditional summer cinema program — along with music concerts and theater performances. The natural acoustics of the ravine and the surrounding greenery give events here an intimate character quite different from a conventional concert hall or a paved city-square amphitheater.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the amphitheater located? In a municipal park at the center of the Lesná housing estate in Brno, inside a wooded ravine known as Čertova rokle.

Is entry to the park free? The park and the grounds around the amphitheater are open to the public; fees may apply only to specific cultural events, such as summer cinema screenings or concerts.

When is the amphitheater most active? During the summer season, when it hosts film screenings, concerts, and theater performances that make use of the ravine's natural setting.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Lesná estate itself is a notable example of 1960s brutalist housing architecture, and the surrounding park offers playgrounds and sports areas for families.