Městské divadlo Jaroměř Theatre building

Welcome to Jaromeria. You are standing right in a place that is inseparable for the life of this city, on Dukel Heroes Square, in the part known as Pražské Předměstí. In front of your eyes is a building that carries an incredible mixture of different times, tastes and human stories. Městské divadlo Jaroměř. Feel this atmosphere. Feel the presence of a building that stands above the square and has been monitoring the daily movement of people who walk through here for over a hundred years. It may seem to you that it's just a wall and a roof, but this building has its own soul, which has gradually changed along with how the world around it was changing.

Let's go back deep into the past together to understand why this building is standing right here and why it looks the way you see it. More than a century ago, at the very beginning of the twentieth century, a completely different history began to be born here. In the year one thousand nine hundred and one, the theatre was not built here, but the Sokol House. At that time, movement, exercise and body strength were a very important symbol of national identity and social unification. This building was designed as a place where people could exercise, strengthen their body and spirit while meeting in cultural activities. In the year one thousand and nine hundred and two, the drama department was even born here, which tells us that even in the earliest years there was no more about physical training, but also about storytelling and art. The whole building was completed in a thousand and nine hundred and three and since then it has become a pillar of the local community.

Now pay attention to the very form of the building you are currently observing. Notice its lines and its overall form. The whole building was designed by architect Josef Podhajský. He was the one who gave the building its distinctive appearance. The building was built in Art Nouveau style, a style that was extremely popular at the turn of the century. Secese sought harmony, beautiful shapes and to make architecture work live and organically. Although the building has been changing over the years, its basic Art Nouveau spirit is still smelling. Look at her facade and see the rhythmics that the Podhajs designed. He designed not only a beautiful look but also a very practical inner space. The heart of the building was a multipurpose hall which was able to accommodate a wide range of activities, from gym exercises to large cultural events. This ability to adapt to people's needs has been a key element of this place from the outset.

But history is constantly spinning, and buildings, like humans, are going through major changes. After several decades of service as Sokol House, the time came when the building had to be completely transformed to meet the new needs of the city. Between a thousand and nine hundred and fifty-six and a thousand and fifty-nine, one of the most important phases in the history of this place. According to the project Jaroslav Fišer, a large reconstruction was carried out to create a real theatre from the original building. Imagine the transformation. The place where the steps of practising people and the sound of gym instruments were heard earlier began to hear voices of actors, music and audience applause. This transformation was crucial. The building lost its primary function for gym activities, but gained a new, profound role in Jaroměř's cultural life. She's become a place where people come together to experience emotions, to learn and to laugh or to cry together.

Even modern times have brought their challenges to this building. In 2,000 years, this monument had to deal with the destructive force of nature. After the devastating floods that hit this region, it was necessary to perform a thorough reconstruction so that the building could continue to be used safely. The architect Jaromír Pizinger was behind this task. Thanks to his work and the city's efforts, the building managed to preserve and restore, so today we can watch her beauty and use her services. It is proof of how resilient and how important this monument is for every visitor and citizen.

If you're looking for something that really interests you, think about how much this place has changed without losing its essence. It's fascinating how the building that was created to move the body eventually found its new life moving human emotions on the stage. This constant transformation from gym to theatre is one of the most interesting stories this object tells. It's a story about adaptation, about survival, and a constant search for new ways to serve people.

Now I'm going to sound you up for further exploration. Go through the square, feel the atmosphere of Prague Suburb and let the beauty of Jaroměř drift. You may enjoy a walk around other historic buildings you will find here. Thank you for spending this moment with us and for being interested in the history of this place. We wish you a nice walk and many other experiences. Goodbye.