Divadlo Lubomíra Lipského Theatre

Divadlo Lubomíra Lipského is an architectural rarity of the second half of the 19th century. The Neoclassical building in Salt Street is not a coincidence - the original salt house was already built into the walls of the town in the early 18th century. In a big fire in the second half of the same century, it burned down, the salt warehouse was moved, and the building gradually decayed. It was only in 1895 that it became the basis for a new business - theatre.

The need for a theatre building in Pelhřimov had deeper roots. In the first half of the 19th century, nomadic theatrical companies - Czech and German - rode here and played in local pubs. Local supporters followed them. In 1852 the first potable theatre hall was established as an addition to the inn in Lazne. But it only took a moment. As soon as Pelhřimov becomes the seat of the judicial and political district in the mid-19th century and the Czech national consciousness grows, a number of theatrical associations are formed. Their activities have outgrown all their shelters.

In 1882, a fund was established for the construction of the National House - a new theatre. The city put the biggest gift into it: the old salt house. But the construction dragged away. It was only in 1895 that the Association for the Construction of the National House was founded, which began to run collections and construction works. The builder Stanislav Rokos was inspired by theatre in nearby Tábor, which was opened eight years earlier. A single-storey building was created, whose main facade to Salt Street is decorated with stucco decoration. The original four-story salt mill was extended by about six metres. In December 1896 the theatre was officially opened.

Soon, however, there were difficulties. The construction suffered from technical deficiencies and threatened to close it. She was saved by supporting a new reinforced concrete ceiling construction. During the interwar period and especially during World War II, the building underwent several adaptations. The turntable was created on the stage, it was fitted with folding seats, added circular horizon and new dressing rooms. The electrical has been perfected. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was expected to have the last great renewal - new red plush seats, wooden linings, new decoration from the leading personality of Ivo Buriana, Alfred Habermann and academic painters Jaroslava Peshíc.

Divadlo Lubomíra Lipského (up to 2016 was named City Theatre) is now part of the Kulturní zátětě Kulturní záměsky Pelhřimov and belongs to the local town monument reservation. The building itself has been protected by the State since 1996. Visiting it means entering an authentic environment, which covers an hundred and thirty years of history of Czech culture - without embellishment.