Provisional Theatre, Opera house in Prague, Czech Republic

The Provisional Theatre is a symmetrical multi-storey building on the Vltava embankment, now joined to the southern wing of the National Theatre. Its facade has a triangular pediment with a circular clock face above a row of arched windows, rectangular windows between columns, and a rusticated ground floor. It was built in six months in 1862 to Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann's plans.

The theatre opened in 1862 when venues for Czech-language performances were scarce in the city. It later served as the main opera stage until the National Theatre was established.

This theatre became the primary stage where Czech artists performed opera and drama in their own language during a time when few venues offered such opportunities. The building played a vital role in nurturing a distinct national theatrical tradition.

The Provisional Theatre no longer stages its own productions: since 1883 its building has been joined to the south wing of the National Theatre, so performances are attended there. From the street, look for the clock in the triangular pediment above the arched windows, behind the fence and stone wall.

Before the National Theatre was built, this was the main stage for Czech opera performances across the entire city. The building represents a pivotal moment when artists could finally perform in their native language on a regular basis.