Městské divadlo Znojmo

Městské divadlo Znojmo (Znojmo Municipal Theatre) is a grand theatre building standing on today's náměstí Republiky in the historic centre of Znojmo, in South Moravia. While the town's theatrical tradition reaches back to Passion plays performed at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, the present building is a product of civic ambition at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the growing town wanted a modern stage of its own.

How did the current theatre building come to be?

Znojmo's first permanent stage opened in December 1784 inside a converted former chapel of St. Bernard, which had once belonged to a Poor Clares convent. Plays, operas and operettas were performed there daily, but the building's poor technical condition forced the theatre to close in 1891. The town then decided to erect an entirely new building on what is now náměstí Republiky. It opened in September 1900 with a performance of the comedy "Two Happy Days" by Schöntan and Kadelburg.

Who designed the building, and in what style?

The building was designed by architect Alexander Graf, who drew on design elements he had previously used for Vienna's Jubiläumsstadttheater, another of his projects. The exterior combines Renaissance and Baroque features, while the interior is decorated in a Neo-Baroque style. The pseudo-Rococo auditorium impresses with rich stucco ornamentation covering the walls, ceilings and balconies. A particular highlight is the painted stage curtain titled "At the Source of Poetry," created by Viennese artists Schallaud and Frank.

What made the theatre technically advanced for its time?

From the moment it opened, the building ranked among the most technically sophisticated venues of its kind in the region. It was equipped with a ventilation system using air shafts, hot-air heating, running drinking and utility water, electric lighting, a telephone and a telegraph — amenities that counted as genuine luxuries in 1900.

What does the theatre look like today?

Between 1992 and 2000 the building underwent a thorough modernisation and reconstruction, which partially restored its original exterior and interior appearance. Today the auditorium offers 278 seats, 20 standing places, and 2 spaces reserved for wheelchair users. The theatre continues to serve as the town's main stage, hosting theatrical performances and other cultural events.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current theatre building built? It opened in September 1900, after the previous stage in a former convent chapel had to close in 1891 due to its deteriorating condition.

Who designed the building? Architect Alexander Graf designed it, drawing inspiration from his earlier work, the Jubiläumsstadttheater in Vienna.

How many people can the auditorium seat? The auditorium provides 278 seats, 20 standing places, and 2 spaces for wheelchair users.

Has the building kept its original appearance? Partly — a 1992–2000 modernisation restored many of the original exterior and interior decorative elements, including its characteristic Neo-Baroque ornamentation.