Municipal Theatre of Kolín

The Municipal Theatre of Kolín (Czech: Městské divadlo Kolín) is a late functionalist building in the Central Bohemian town of Kolín, one of the most recognizable structures in its skyline. While theatrical life in the town dates back to the 18th century, the current building itself was only completed in the late 1930s.

How far back does Kolín's theatre tradition go?

Amateur theatre troupes had already been entertaining the townspeople of Kolín in the 18th century. A turning point came in 1860, when a new school building on the Kutná Hora suburb was extended with a dedicated wing housing a municipal theatre. This made Kolín the third town in Bohemia — after Prague — to have a permanent theatre building, a distinction that was a source of considerable local pride at the time.

Why did a new building only appear in the 1930s?

The year 1918, and the founding of independent Czechoslovakia, brought a renewed wave of enthusiasm for building a proper municipal theatre. The town's ambitions were considerable enough that Kolín earned the nickname "Czech Manchester," a reference to its rapid industrial growth. Funds for the theatre were raised gradually over the following decade: by 1928, the society responsible for the project had accumulated one million crowns.

Who designed the building, and when was it built?

The cornerstone of the new theatre was laid in 1937. The design came from Jindřich Freiwald, a respected Prague architect, who gave the building the form of late functionalism — a style typical of 1930s Czech architecture, built on simple volumes, practicality, and clean lines rather than ornament. Construction was completed at the end of 1939, and the new theatre opened on 12 November 1939, when the amateur Tyl theatre association performed Josef Kajetán Tyl's play "The Bagpiper of Strakonice" on the new stage.

How does the theatre operate today?

The theatre's permanent acting company was dissolved on 31 December 1992. Since 1993, when the building once again became municipal property, it has carried the name Městské divadlo Kolín (Kolín Municipal Theatre). Today it operates as a "stagione" venue without a resident company, hosting touring drama and music performances, concerts, and other cultural events for the surrounding region.

Why is this building worth seeing?

The Municipal Theatre of Kolín is more than an active cultural venue — it is also a valuable example of interwar Czech architecture. Its late functionalist form, designed by Jindřich Freiwald, stands out in the town's skyline and testifies to the ambitions Kolín held for its own cultural life as early as the 1920s and 1930s.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Kolín theatre building constructed? The cornerstone was laid in 1937, and construction was completed at the end of 1939.

Who was the architect? The building was designed by Prague architect Jindřich Freiwald in the late functionalist style.

When did the new building open? On 12 November 1939, with the amateur Tyl association performing Josef Kajetán Tyl's play "The Bagpiper of Strakonice."

Does the theatre have a permanent company? No — its permanent company was dissolved in 1992, and since then it has operated as a stagione venue hosting touring productions.

How far back does Kolín's theatre tradition go? To the 18th century; by 1860 the town already had a permanent theatre building, the third in Bohemia after Prague.