National Theatre Prague

The recently renovated National Theatre is the neo-Renaissance architectural flagship of the Czech National Revival, and one of Prague’s most impressive buildings. Funded entirely by private donations from across the land and decorated inside and out by a roll call of prominent Czech artists, architect Josef Zítek’s masterpiece burned down within weeks of its 1881 opening but, incredibly, was funded again and restored in less than two years. Guided tours in English must be arranged in advance.