Janáček Theatre

One of the largest theatre buildings in Europe, the Janáček Theatre, constructed from 1960 to 1965, is one of the purest examples of the Brussels style in Brno. The building recently underwent a demanding general renovation, during which the original shine of its public spaces was restored. 

The Janáček Theatre traces its origins back to the very beginnings of the National Theatre in Brno in the nineteenth century. Its history was marked by many years of efforts to build a new, representative building for Czech theatre in Brno, a long search for a location, for resources, and for the best architectural design. The monumental building, partly surrounded by a city park, bears marks of traditionalism and was primarily designed for large opera and ballet performances from both the classical and the modern repertoires. It was officially opened on 2 October 1965. A bronze statue of Leoš Janáček designed by Stanislav Hanzl was installed in front of the building in 1975. 

The building features a reinforced concrete skeleton and a steel structure supporting aluminium window frames, which lighten the monumental, classicising expression of the representative building with stone cladding. The main facade is decorated with balconies and copper sheet parapets created by Eva Kmentová and Olbram Zoubek. The auditorium takes the form of a stepped amphitheatre and can hold 1,155 spectators: it can be adapted for conferences, grand occasions, and concerts. The foyer and the first-floor areas can also serve as venues for receptions as well as concerts that do not require strict acoustic conditions. The first floor of the theatre houses exhibition spaces as well as two salons, one for the theatre Director and one for the Brno Mayor.

From 2007 to 2013, the theatre underwent restoration, with the auditorium being renovated and the entire space in front of the theatre revitalized. An underground parking garage was created, while the original piazzetta was newly paved and enhanced with water jets and a light fountain where vertically streaming water creates various patterns. The renovations were designed by the architect Jaroslav Černý of the A3 Studio.