The National Theatre was originally built between 1868 and 1881 to the design of Josef Zitek and Josef Schulz. The money for the building was collected throughout the nation and therefore the theatre can truly be called national. After a fire in 1881 the theatre was rebuilt. The interior was lavishly decorated by leading Czech artists of the period.

Several competitions were held before the Second World War, and since 1958, for additional spaces required by the theatre. Between 1977 and 1981 Pavel Kupka, from the State Institute for Reconstruction, designed and built the south administration and operations building and the east cafe and restaurant wing. In 1980 the Prague Institute for Construction, led by Karel Prager, was commissioned to complete the reconstruction.