Městské divadlo Turnov

Městské divadlo Turnov (Turnov Municipal Theatre) is a historic playhouse in the heart of Turnov, a gateway town to the Bohemian Paradise region. It ranks among the earliest stone-built theatre buildings in the Czech lands and remains an active cultural venue today.

How did theatre life in Turnov begin?

Turnov's theatrical tradition dates back to 1822, when local amateur enthusiasts set up the town's first permanent auditorium on the upper floor of a house belonging to the Kotler family, known as "U Zlatého jednorožce," standing right next to the town hall. This makeshift hall operated, with interruptions, until 1867, when the building was demolished. Performances then moved temporarily to the summer hall of the U města Petrohradu inn.

When and why was the current building constructed?

The stone theatre building still standing today was built between 1872 and 1874 at the initiative of local amateur theatre enthusiasts, in the courtyard behind what is now the Hotel Slavie on Hluboká street. Construction was financed by the local savings and loan association, which was simultaneously building its own headquarters — the building now known as the hotel. Modeled, on a smaller scale, after Prague's Provisional Theatre, the new venue opened its doors on 15 February 1874 with a performance of the musical comedy "Obžinky."

How did it become a municipal theatre?

In 1881, when the savings association ran into financial trouble, the town of Turnov purchased both the theatre and the hotel building. From that point on, the venue has operated under the name Městské divadlo Turnov — literally the Turnov Municipal Theatre — reflecting its status as a town-owned institution.

Another milestone in the building's history came in 1902, with the introduction of electric lighting. Audiences saw it for the first time during the premiere of Ladislav Stroupežnický's play "Naši furianti," an event that lingered long in local memory as a symbolic step into a new technological era for the theatre.

What does the building and auditorium look like today?

The theatre is tucked away in an architecturally modest rear section behind a house at Hluboká street, easy to walk past without suspecting the historic stage hidden behind the plain facade. Inside, however, visitors find a striking neo-Baroque auditorium seating 299 people, with capacity for up to twenty additional seats when needed.

The entire building enjoys heritage protection as a cultural monument, confirming its historical and architectural value not only for Turnov itself but for the wider Bohemian Paradise region.

What makes Městské divadlo Turnov stand out among regional theatres?

Its significance lies in an unbroken continuity — from an amateur hall two centuries ago, through the stone building erected in the 1870s, to today's ongoing cultural programming. The fact that it was among the earliest stone theatre buildings in the Czech lands speaks to the unusually strong cultural ambitions of a small town in the second half of the 19th century.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current theatre building constructed? It was built between 1872 and 1874, with the first performance held on 15 February 1874.

Where does the name "Městské divadlo" come from? From 1881, when the town of Turnov purchased the building after its previous owner, the local savings association, ran into financial difficulties.

How many seats does the auditorium have? The neo-Baroque hall seats 299 people, with room for up to twenty additional seats.

Is this the oldest theatre in the region? Local theatrical tradition dates back to 1822, and the stone building itself was among the earliest stone theatre buildings in the entire Czech lands, giving it exceptional historical significance.