The National Theatre in Belgrade (Narodno pozorište) stands on Republic Square, on the site of the Stambol Gate demolished in 1866. Prince Mihailo Obrenović initiated its founding but did not live to see the building; his successor Milan laid the foundation stone in 1868, and the theatre opened on 12 November 1869. In 1888 the Great Constitutional Assembly adopted the new constitution here. A reconstruction to plans by Josif Bukavac, completed in 1922, enlarged the auditorium to 944 seats and added a revolving stage. After bomb damage in 1941 and 1944 the building was altered several times; in the reconstruction completed in 1989 the old section regained its 1922 appearance and received a glass annex. Opera, ballet and drama companies all work under its roof. It has been protected as a Monument of Culture of Great Importance since 1983.
The Belgrade National Theatre, founded in 1868, is Serbia's most important multi-genre theatre — the building was slightly damaged in the war of 1999 and is today a symbol of the country's cultural resurgence.
At a glance
- Type
- Multi-genre theatre
- Location
- Belgrad, Serbia