Croatian National Theatre

You have arrived in front of the Croatian National Theatre in Split, which opened on May 6, 1893. Immediately after its opening, it became one of the largest theatres in the Balkans, with around 1,100 seats. The first decades of its operation were marked by the arrival of travelling troupes from Italy, the Czech Republic and other Croatian cities, as there was no permanent professional ensemble. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, performances were often divided into domestic and foreign troupes, and in 1920, the first professional drama ensemble was founded under the name National Theatre for Dalmatia, which did not last long. In 1940, the theatre was renovated again and officially given its current name, and the first intendant was Ivo Tijardović. During the Italian occupation of 1941, the theatre's work was suspended, but after the war, from July 1, 1945, it continued without interruption. In February 1970, a fire destroyed the building, so performances were held in replacement venues until 1980, when a renovated building designed by architect Boško Rašica was opened. Since 1893, the roof of the theater building has housed a statue of Apollo, which is a recognizable symbol of the Croatian National Theatre and is often the subject of debate due to its size and appearance. The Split audience is known for its clear reactions, which has influenced many performances and guest appearances - after the performances, both approval and disapproval could often be heard. The theater is the organizer of the Split Summer festival, which features local and foreign artists and is held at various attractive locations around the city, such as the Peristyle. Today, the Croatian National Theatre Split operates continuously with a program of opera, ballet and drama, retains the status of a protected cultural asset and is the center of theatrical life in Dalmatia.