
Originally German, the City Theatre “Na hradbách” was built in 1881–82 according to a design by the Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer. The building with its neo-Renaissance façade and neo-Baroque interior became the first fully electrically lit theatre in Europe. The world premieres of most of Janáček’s operas, including Jenůfa, Katya Kabanova and The Cunning Little Vixen, were performed here. In addition to opera performances, Janáček’s orchestral compositions were also performed at the theatre; for example, the Taras Bulba rhapsody was premiered here. On 15 August 1928, the last farewell to Leoš Janáček took place in the foyer of the City Theatre. The theatre became the seat of the Czech National Theatre in Brno after the end of the First World War.
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Transport
Address: Malinovského nám. 1, 657 70 Brno
Public transport
Mahen Theatre is located in the city centre, where public transport is well provided, so you can easily reach the building from all parts of Brno. A basic ticket costs CZK 20 for a 15-minute ride and can be bought at yellow vending machines at bus stops, via text message or by placing a payment card to a terminal directly in public transport vehicles. The building is located about a 5-minute walk from the main train station.
Stops:
- Malinovského náměstí (1 min. walk), trams 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, bus 67
- Main Railway Station (5 min. walk), trams 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, buses 31, 33, 47, 67, E76, š86
- Moravské náměstí (9 min. walk), trams 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, bus 67
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Parking
Mahen Theatre is located in the city parking zone B, which means that on weekends parking is FREE and on weekdays parking fee is 30 CZK / 60 min after the first 30 minutes, with the possibility of pre-payment. You can use a mobile app to pay. Find more information on parking in Brno and the app to download here.
If you are going to the Mahen Theatre, on weekdays you can park your vehicle in the parking lot on Za Divadlem or on Rooseveltova street. At the parking meter, you can then pay the appropriate fee. At weekends, these parking spaces are available all day for free. You can also use the underground parking in the JD parking under the piazzetta of the Janáček Theatre, with entry from the Moravské náměstí tram stop (by the Liberation Monument).
Information for the disabled
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair entrance is through the service entrance from Roosevelt Street. Theatre staff will assist you to the cloakroom area. There is an elevator from the cloakroom to the first section. Here it is possible to use the seats in the presidential box. The maximum elevator width is 65 cm. If the wheelchair is wider than 65 cm or longer than 105 cm, the theatre staff will lend you a wheelchair that fits these dimensions on site. Toilet for wheelchair users is located only by the cloakroom on the left.
Information for the hearing impaired
Mahen Theatre does not have an induction loop.
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Refreshments
Refreshments in the form of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches and other complementary items can be purchased on site at the buffet. If you want to avoid queues at the buffet, it is now possible to order refreshments in advance at www.ndbufet.cz.
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Events on site:
18. 10. 2025 – Corinne Winters & David Mareček
22. 10. 2025 – Bohuslav Martinů: The Theatre Behind the Gate
25. 10. 2025 – Ivo Kahánek & Ballet NdB 3
11. 11. 2025 – Leoš Janáček: Šárka & Josef Suk: Fairy Tale (National Theatre Prague)
