Croatian National Theatre in Split

The Croatian National Theatre in Split (HNK Split) is one of the oldest surviving theatres in Dalmatia, first opened in 1893. The building is owned and run by the City of Split. It stands in the city centre, a short walk from the seafront promenade and Diocletian's Palace, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing.

How did the theatre come to be built?

The building went up in 1893 as Split's municipal theatre, during the term of mayor Gajo Bulat. Local architects Emilio (some sources say Emil) Vecchietti and Ante Bezić drew up the design. The interiors were decorated by Eugenio Scomparini, Napoleone Cozzi and Josip Varvodić.

Its predecessor was the Bajamonti theatre, tied to Antonio Bajamonti, a prominent figure in the city's history and a principal investor in that earlier stage. A fire almost completely destroyed the old house in 1881, and plans to rebuild on the original site never materialised. The new building replaced it twelve years later.

How big was it?

When finished, the auditorium held about a thousand spectators. That was a remarkable number for a city of roughly 16,000 people at the time. By available accounts it was the largest theatre in Southeast Europe of its day.

The 1970 fire and the restoration

In 1970 another fire devastated most of the building, above all the auditorium and the stage area. Because of the theatre's importance to the city, it was not left to be lost. Restoration took around ten years, and the theatre reopened in 1980.

Tips for visiting

• The theatre is a working repertory house, so the best way to see the interior is with a ticket to a performance. Check the official website for the current programme and times.
• Even without going inside, the facade and surroundings are worth a look if you enjoy late nineteenth-century architecture.
• It pairs naturally with a stroll through the old town and along the waterfront.

Frequently asked questions

When did the theatre in Split open? In 1893.

Who designed the building? Local architects Emilio Vecchietti and Ante Bezić.

Did the theatre suffer a fire? Yes. A fire in 1970 destroyed most of the building, and after roughly a decade of restoration it reopened in 1980.

Who owns the theatre? It is owned and operated by the City of Split.

Is it one of the region's oldest theatres? Yes, it is among the oldest surviving theatres in Dalmatia.