Tools used for laying the stone foundation of the National Theatre

A new page in the history of the city was turned after the populists won the municipal elections in 1882 and the municipal administration of the City of Split was croatized. With the new enthusiasm and in a form of cultural Renaissance an idea for a new theatre emerged, the construction of which was fervently supported by the people’s favourite, the mayor Dr. Gajo Bulat.

The realization of the idea for the construction of a new theatre began in 1888, and the following year already the Municipal Council approved the drawings by the architects Emilio Vecchietti and Anto Bezić.