The Theater of J. K. Tyl
The Empire Theater, one of the oldest burghers' theaters in Bohemia, is located in Trebon on Masaryk Square
On Masaryk Square in Třeboň, the Empire Theatre, one of the oldest civic theatres in the country, is well worth a visit. It was built in 1832, but its modern interior dates from 1872, making it a jewel of theatre architecture. The construction of this unique theatre was the logical result of Třeboň’s rich theatrical tradition. The theatre was inaugurated in 1833 in the premises of the former municipal brewery malt house. The newly built theatre was introduced by puppeteer Matěj Kopecký. Over time, the famous Czech singer Ema Destinnová and Antonín Dvořák also performed there.
The theatre is named in memory of two performances by J. K. Tyl and his travelling theatre company in Třeboň (1852, 1856). The auditorium features a gilded wooden chandelier from the Buquoy Glassworks in Novohradská. The theatre also boasts rich painted decorations on the ceiling and the wall above the stage, created by the painter F. Rocks from Písek in 1872. He also painted the main stage curtain, depicting an allegorical scene of Apollo arriving with the goddesses Thalia and Melpomene and their companions. This curtain is one of the oldest theatre curtains in Bohemia.
The theatre hosts not only theatre performances but also concerts and other events. The building also houses a puppet theatre. The Třeboň Tourist Information Centre organizes regular tours every Monday at 1:30 PM. These guided tours explore the historic and modern theatre space, its technology, and backstage areas. Visitors can learn much about the history and present of the theatre in Třeboň, see normally inaccessible areas, and explore the oldest functional curtain in the country.
