Property · 61 of the best in Belgrade
National Theatre building
Belgrade’s grand stage
About National Theatre building
The National Theatre on Republic Square has been the heart of Belgrade’s stage since it opened on 12 November 1869.
The back story
In 1868 the Serbian National Theatre from Novi Sad, then the capital of Serbian culture in Austria-Hungary, performed in Belgrade. Prince Mihailo Obrenović was so impressed that he invited its founder, Jovan Đorđević, to create a national theatre for Serbia. The prince chose a site where the old Ottoman Stambol Gate had been pulled down two years before, on what is now Republic Square. He did not live to see it: he was assassinated in Košutnjak in June 1868, and the foundation stone was laid by his successor, Prince Milan, that August.
The building
Designed by Aleksandar Bugarski, the city’s busiest 19th-century architect, in a Renaissance style that recalled La Scala in Milan, the theatre opened on 12 November 1869. Serbia’s constitution of 1888 was adopted in its hall. It was rebuilt between 1911 and 1922, with Vienna Secession and Baroque touches, an auditorium enlarged to 944 seats and a revolving stage, and restored again in 1964–65 and 1986–89.
The building has been a Cultural Monument of Great Importance since 1983 and joined the European Route of Historic Theatres in 2014.
Opera and ballet
Its opera company dates back to 1882 and performed independently from 1919, opening with Madama Butterfly; in 1955 it recorded Russian operas for Decca, which made Belgrade’s singers known around the world. Today the opera, ballet and drama companies share one roof.
Today
The building has been a Cultural Monument of Great Importance since 1983 and joined the European Route of Historic Theatres in 2014. An evening of opera or ballet here is one of the best things to do in Belgrade.
Why it's on our list
- Opened in 1869
- Opera, ballet and drama
- Cultural Monument of Great Importance
The National Theatre in depth
From the theatre’s published history.
Timeline
- 1868theatre founded; foundation stone laid in August
- 12 November 1869the building opens on Republic Square
- 1882the opera ensemble begins working towards professional status
- 1911–1922rebuilt with Vienna Secession and Baroque elements
- 1919the opera becomes independent, opening with Madama Butterfly
- 1955Decca recordings of Russian operas
- 1983declared a Cultural Monument of Great Importance
- 1986–89last major reconstruction
Design · 3
Architect Aleksandar Bugarski, A Renaissance conception reminiscent of La Scala, Milan, Corner of Vasina and Francuska streets on Republic Square
Listings, fees and opening hours change, so please contact National Theatre building directly before you visit.
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