Tour of the premises
Nová Spirála
Multi-genre culture venue of Nová Spirála
Each seat in the house is like being in the front row and offers, first and foremost, a unique viewer experience. This is the idea behind Nová Spirála, a multi-purpose cultural venue packed with modern technologies.
The building is currently undergoing the final stage of comprehensive refurbishment and will open its doors to spectators this autumn.
Space
The unique versatility of Nová Spirála brings visitors an unforgettable experience during shows, as well as before and after. Dominating the spacious Large Hall with a circular ground plan is a revolving and vertically mobile stage up to 230 sq m in size and with a diameter of 17 m. Comprising a parterre and five balconies, the circular auditorium seats up to 800 people. Its 360° layout offers an excellent view from any seat in the house and immediate contact with the artist who can enter the stage directly from the audience. An inclined telescoping auditorium in the Small Hall guarantees the perfect view.
Nothing remains hidden behind the curtain at Nová Spirála. The path to the auditorium becomes part of the actual experience. Whilst climbing the spiral ramps, audience members get to see the inner workings of the stage and the actual stage, close up and from all sides. In addition to a bar, visitors can expect glass walls offering a peek behind the scenes in the cellar. In this way, audiences become part of the theatre’s beating heart even if no show is on at the moment.
Modern technologies
Each show at Nová Spirála comes alive with unprecedented effects. The venue is fitted with cutting-edge equipment and offers space sound, extensive lighting equipment with both conventional and effect lights, and a mapping system with six projectors.
Location on the site
Nová Spirála is situated in the lower part of Výstaviště, opposite the swimming facility and close to the Křižík Pavilions. It is accessible to pedestrians from the Stromovka park using the lower entrance to the premises or via the upper entrance from U Výstaviště Street, passing by the Industrial Palace. Drivers can easily go all the way to the public car park right in front of the building. Barrier-free access ensures comfort for all visitors.
Documents for downloading
History
The legendary Spirála, formerly the Moskva panoramic cinema dating back to 1960, was transformed into a new theatre venue in 1991 during the General Czechoslovak Exhibition. Instrumental to the makeover was a team of architects led by Jindřich Smetana, Jan Louda, Tomáš Kulík, and Zdeněk Stýblo, and their work received an honorary mention of the jury at the 1991 Prague Quadrennial and a Grand Prix Architects in the Retrofit category in 1993. The theatre’s name refers directly to the building’s structure and the spiral ramps that provide the supporting element of the entire interior.
The Spirála earned a reputation as the ‘cradle’ of musicals in the 1990s. Between 1994 and 1997, the venue hosted the Jesus Christ Superstar musical which was an unprecedented success with 1,288 reprises and almost 850,000 spectators. This was, without a doubt, one of the most visited performances in the modern cultural history of the Czech Republic.
A devastating flood on the River Vltava in August 2002 hit Prague hard, in particular the low-level Výstaviště area, severely damaging the buildings situated in the lower parts of the park. The theatre was closed after the flood and, for a long time, the property faced the threat of demolition.
The decision to save and recover the Spirála was made in 2020, a result of the efforts made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tomáš Hübl, and support from the Prague Town Hall. The refurbishment and extension will transform the former theatre into a multipurpose venue ready to follow up on its historic achievements and serve future generations.
Contact us
For information on individual performances and tickets, please contact us via email and/or the telephone number below:
Telephone: +420770317069
Email: novaspirala@navystavisti.cz
