WHERE IS IT?
The National Theatre is located on Republic Square, near the National Museum.
HISTORY
The National Theatre was founded in 1868, marking the start of construction on its building at what is now Republic Square. The idea of establishing a Serbian theatre in Belgrade had emerged much earlier, with the first recorded performance taking place on December 4, 1841, at the Customs House Theatre (Teatar na Đumruku). The play performed was The Death of Stefan Dečanski by Jovan Sterija Popović.
Thanks to the efforts of the Theatre Committee, funds were raised to purchase land and construct a dedicated theatre building. During the Principality of Serbia, a plot was acquired at the present-day Zeleni Venac. However, construction on this site, which began in 1852, was abandoned due to waterlogged soil. The unfinished building had been designed by Italian architect Joseph Cassano.
The current theatre building was completed in 1869, based on the design of architect Aleksandar Bugarski.
The theatre’s first performance, Đurađ Branković, a historical drama by Karl Obernik, was held on November 22, 1868. It took place in an adapted hall of the tavern At the English Queen, located at 51 Kosmajska Street (today Marshal Birjuzov Street).
Although Prince Mihailo Obrenović initiated the construction of the theatre, he did not live to see the project begin, as he was assassinated on June 3, 1868. The foundation stone was instead laid by Prince Milan. The theatre's first performance in the new building took place on October 30, 1869 (Old Calendar). This momentous occasion was documented as follows:
"The first performance was ‘The Posthumous Glory of Prince Mihailo,’ a scene from folk life by Đorđe Maletić, on Thursday, October 30, 1869."
While musical performances had been held earlier, 1913—marked by a staging of Verdi's Il Trovatore—is regarded as the official beginning of the Opera. Activities were interrupted by World War I, but in 1919, the Opera ensemble was reassembled, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly was performed in February 1920.
After the end of World War I, the arrival of Russian artists led to the founding of the ballet ensemble. On January 22, 1923, the Belgrade Ballet staged its first production—Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
The National Theatre also became a focal point for citizens during significant historical events. Following the Annexation Crisis of 1908, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, massive demonstrations erupted in Belgrade. Protesters, joined by Crown Prince Đorđe Karađorđević, chanted war cries and burned two Austro-Hungarian flags.
One of the largest gatherings at what is now Republic Square occurred in 1945, near the end of World War II. Before a crowd of approximately 250,000 people, Josip Broz Tito addressed the citizens from the theatre terrace, urging them to participate in the final operations against the occupiers. Another major rally took place on March 9, 1991, during demonstrations against the regime of Slobodan Milošević. Led by Vuk Drašković, the protest culminated with Drašković addressing the crowd from the balcony of the National Theatre.





THE DESIGN
Thanks to Prince Mihailo Obrenović, the National Theatre was founded in 1868, and a decision was made to build its premises. The construction was completed within just one year, based on the design of architect Aleksandar Bugarski in the academic style. The model for the theatre’s design was the Milanese La Scala, built about 20 years earlier. The interior was opulently decorated, with particular emphasis on the royal box. The first reconstructions of the building took place in 1885 and 1903. Between 1911 and 1922, architect Josif Bukavac added elements of Art Nouveau, including imposing columns around the entrance, richly adorned with intricate details.
The seating capacity was expanded to 700 seats, 33 boxes, and 66 standing places, totaling 944 spots. The stage was deepened, and a movable circular stage was introduced. Dressing rooms, workshops, administrative offices, storerooms, and other auxiliary spaces were strategically placed around the rear stage across two and three floors.
Architect Josif Bukavac was assisted by Russian emigrant architects in the intricate design of the interior, making a particularly significant contribution to the ornamental details. The entrance halls and the foyer on the first gallery were decorated with reliefs and neo-baroque motifs. The ceiling in the auditorium was painted by Russian artist Stepan Kolesnikov. The only element from the original building that remained intact was a medallion featuring the profile of Prince Mihailo, located above the stage portal, which was restored by sculptor Đoka Jovanović.
During the bombing of Belgrade in World War II, the National Theatre building suffered damage, and repairs were carried out in 1941 and 1942.
In 1964/65, the Great Stage was renovated according to the plans of architect Nikola Šercer. The seating capacity was increased by removing the boxes and replacing the original seats with smaller ones, placed closer together. The large crystal chandelier was removed, and the walls were adorned with new bas-reliefs and oak paneling, while the seats and curtains were designed in shades of blue.
A major reconstruction occurred between 1986 and 1989, restoring the theatre’s pre-World War II appearance. A central dome and two smaller domes above the entrance were added. The interior was renovated, and the rear section of the building was extended toward Braće Jugovića Street, designed by architects Slobodan Drinjaković and Ljubomir Zdravković. The interior design was overseen by architect Milan Pališaški, while the facade decoration was handled by Branka Bremec, Dimitrije Ivančević, and Zoran Badnjević.
This reconstruction not only restored the building’s pre-World War II appearance but also nearly doubled the overall area with the addition of a modern annex. The new building features five floors above ground and two below, housing official spaces. The total area now spans 18,500 square meters, with 17,000 square meters of usable space. The boxes, which had been removed in 1966, were reinstated in the auditorium, now designed in the characteristic horseshoe shape of the 19th century. The auditorium regained its former splendor, now fully draped in red velvet and plush, with dominant white and gold tones. The foyer on the second gallery displays a plaque listing all the donors and patrons of the theatre from the 19th century.
The large painting on the ceiling of the auditorium, restored by Kolesnikov, is a two-part composition titled "Bacchanal" and "Thalia with a Four-Horse Chariot."
The foyers are adorned with marble floors, plaster ceiling decorations, reliefs, gilding, billiard mirrors, and crystal chandeliers. In the main hall, a bust of Prince Mihailo, the founder of the theatre, is prominently displayed.





Written by Ana Sarić