Prokurative
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You are on Prokurative, a square that the people of Split also call Republic Square. This is a place that attracts the attention of everyone who passes through the center of Split. The square was created in the second half of the 19th century, and the main driver was the then mayor Antonio Bajamonti. His idea was to make Split a "city of the future", so he took inspiration from the Venetian St. Mark's Square. That is why the buildings around the square were built in the Neo-Renaissance style, with recognizable arcades that give the square a special look. On the south side of Prokurative, the square is open to the port and the Riva, which makes it one of the few squares with such a beautiful view of the sea. It is interesting that the construction of the square lasted decades: first the western wing was built, then the eastern, and each part was built in different periods, which can be seen in the details on the facades. For example, on one side you can see richly decorated reliefs, while the other side remained simpler because the architect from Venice abandoned the project before completion due to homesickness. Among the many stories that accompany this square, the one about Split's "Phantom of the Opera" - a man in a black coat who appeared on the square at exactly midnight - stands out. According to legend, he was in love with a singer from a nearby theater, but she rejected him. Although there is no evidence that this story is true, it is still told among the people of Split. Today, Prokurative is a lively meeting place. Under the arcades of cafes, "peak hours" are held daily, when a large number of people change in a short time and all important matters are agreed over coffee. In the summer, the square becomes a stage for numerous concerts and festivals, the most famous of which is the Split Pop Music Festival, which has been held here for almost fifty years. One less known, but interesting fact: a large theater building, Teatro Bajamonti, once stood on Prokurative, which opened in 1859 and was the center of Split's cultural life. However, its glory did not last long: in 1882, the theater was destroyed by fire, and its life at that location brought other stories – a cinema, various institutions, and soon a new theater for new generations. Today, the building is called the Split Youth Theater, where children and young people gather once again to discover the world of theater and art.