Jatka78: From Slaughterhouse into Experimental Theatre

Do you want to experience Prague cultural scene from an unusual perspective? So, Jatka78 should be your next stop. The former slaughterhouse was abandoned for decades until a group of artists turned it into dynamic cultural space. Nowadays, you can even enjoy food from an open kitchen, temporary exhibitions, and performances on two stages.

What You Can Find at Jatka78

Since its opening in 2014, Jatka78 are my favorite place to meet with friends and enjoy experimental shows. Every time I come back, there is something new that surprises me. Initially, there was a basic café in a vast open space and performances of founding ensemble Cirk La Putyka. Today, this place has a distinct design, open kitchen for food lovers and two stages with performances ranging from the new circus, experimental dance and puppet theatre.

Jatka78 are the perfect place to go out for English speakers since most of the performances are non-verbal. I can highly recommend shows of Cirk La Putyka, Dekkadancers (I saw all their shows, and they always surprise me), Losers Cirque Company and many others. There are quite regularly international ensembles as well, so check the actual program here. If you can understand Czech and want to experience Czech humor in a very raw way, then check the performances of VOSTO5. They are quite often sold out because they are just great.

Birth of Jatka 78

For almost one hundred years, both halls 7 and 8 served as a slaughterhouse, until they closed in 1983. For decades, these halls did not find a proper utility, until the ensemble Cirk La Putyka started renovation in 2014. More than 10 000 people visited Jatka78 during the pilot opening and then followed a successful crowdfunding campaign that allowed reconstruction enabling a whole year operation. It can be almost compared to the building of the National Theatre when people collected money for the construction of proper Czech theatre. You can find the story here.

Since the opening, many things changed, and the reconstruction is still in progress. Explore this unique place by yourself. Grab tickets to the next performance here and make sure you arrive well in advance, so you can enjoy local food and see the latest exhibition of contemporary art.

How to get to Jatka78:

The easiest way is to take a tram 1, 7, 11, 12, 14, 25 to Pražská tržnice. Then continue to the main gate entering the Market and walk straight until you reach Jatka78 on your right hand.

If you have time to explore this district of Holešovice, I would strongly recommend stopping by Vnitroblock – check the article here. In this case, take the same tram until tram stop Tusarova and follow the instruction until you find this “secret place.”