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Building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, photo taken on April 18, 2022. Photo by Koreanovsky on

Top 10 Interesting Facts about The Croatian National Theatre

The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb which is commonly known as HNK Zagreb is a theatre, opera and ballet house located in Zagreb. Groundbreaking of the theatre was on 22nd May 1894, opened on 14th October 1895 and had two renovations, from 1937 and 1967 to 1969. It evolved out of the city theatre which was opened in 1834 and housed in the present-day Old City Hall.

The Croatian National Theatre was first established as the national theatre in 1860 and 1861, the theatre gained support from the government which put it on par with other European national theatres. An opera company was added to the theatre in 1870 and was moved to the new purpose-built building on the Republic of Croatia Square in Zagreb’s Lower Town where it is in the present day. The Croatian government owns 51 per cent of the theatre while 49 per cent is owned by the city of Zagreb.

Several local artists as well as international artists have had mega performances at the Croatian National Theatre. Fellner and Helmer were the architects of the Croatian National Theatre. It has a capacity of seven hundred and fifteen people.

Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about The Croatian National Theatre:

1. The Theatre was First Housed in the Present-day Old City Hall

The first city theatre in Zagreb was opened in 1834. It was then established as the Croatian National Theatre in 1860.

Initially, this first city theatre was housed in the present-day Old City Hall. During this period, this theatre was for local programs and activities.

However, in 1870, the theatre was expanded when an opera company was added to it. By 1895, it was moved to the new purpose-built building on the Republic of Croatia Square in Zagreb’s Lower Town. This is where the Croatian National Theatre is located in the present day.

2. Government Support Put the Theatre on Par with European National Theatres

Night shot of the Croatian National Theatre. Photo by Paula Borkovic on

During its establishment, the first theatre was run and owned by the local authorities of Zagreb. This put the theatre on the level of a local theatre until when the government chipped in.

In 1860, the theatre was first established as the Croatian National Theatre. In 1861 after government involvement and support, the Croatian National Theatre was put on par with many other European national theatres.

3. Famed Viennese Architects Designed the New Theatre Building Unveiled by Austro-Hungarian Emperor

The project of constructing the new building for the theatre was expected to be huge. This task was handed over to experienced and prominent architects who had built several other top theatres.

Famed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer were the architects of the building plans for the Croatian National Theatre. Their firm had built several other theatres in Vienna. In 1895, Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph first unveiled the New building during his visit to the city.

4. The Well Of Life Sculpture is Located at the Theatre’s Entrance

Croatian National Theater, Zagreb, Croatia. Photo by Bernard Gagnon on

The Croatian National Theatre had to be more presentable to visitors who came there. In 1905, Croatian artist and sculptor Ivan Mestrovic designed the Zdenac Zivota, the wall fountain of The Source of Life. This sculpture is located at the entrance of the theatre.

The sculpture has an inner meaning that depicts people in various phases of life. These people twist their bodies around a well which symbolizes life, youth and the source of eternal beauty.

5. The Theatre is Owned by the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb

The Croatian National Theatre is a national heritage site. In the beginning, it was owned by the local authorities of the city of Zagreb. However, the government got involved in making it get on par with other European national theatres.

In the present day, the Croatian National Theatre is owned by two groups. The Republic of Croatia owns a greater part of the theatre, 51 per cent while the City of Zagreb owns the remaining 49 per cent.

6. Several Croatian Leading Artists Have Worked at the Theatre

The Last Flower of Summer” a Fantasy Opera in One Act. Photo by Miomir Polzović on

Being a national theatre and opera house, several Leading Croatian Artists have worked at the theatre. The first manager and dramatist of the theatre was the Greek-Croatian poet Dimitrija Demeter. He was a leading activist in the Croatian national Revival movement with Ivan Zajc as the first conductor.

From 1923 to 1958, Jakov Gotovac was the theatre’s opera conductor. Branko Gavella, the famous Croatian theatre director began his career at the Croatian National Theatre.

The first Croatian prima ballerina Mia Corak Slavenska also began her career at this theatre. Ero s onoga svijeta, a notable comic opera premiered at this theatre in 1935.

7. Top International Artists have also Worked at the Theatre

Other than leading Croatian Artists, several other International artists have also worked at the theatre. Some of these artists include Franz Liszt, Sarah Bernhardt, Franz Lehar, Richard Strauss, Gérard Philipe, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Jean-Louis Barrault, Peter Brook, Mario Del Monaco and Jose Carreras.

8. Citizens had to Watch the Theatre’s Cultural Content through YouTube

Interior of the Theatre. Photo by Roko Poljak on

Croatians and other international visitors were allowed into the theatre during various events. However, things changed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Croatian National Theatre decided to collaborate with the daily newspaper 24sata to make major changes during the pandemic. Citizens were allowed to access quality cultural content through a YouTube channel.

9. The Series of Chamber Concerts are Held at the Theatre on Sundays

Several events do take place at the Croatian National Theatre. After the coronavirus pandemic, a new schedule of entertaining people was brought up at the theatre.

The cycle of chamber concerts of the Zagreb Philharmonic and the Zagreb National Theatre opera began on Sunday, October 16th. This series of chamber concerts will be held every Sunday.

This schedule was created on the initiative of the chief conductor of the Zagreb Philharmonic, Dawid Runtz. Classical music and more entertainment content will be available on Sundays.

10. Honorary Chief Conductor of the Opera and Her Team were Unveiled Recently

On 14th October, a new team of leaders for the theatre were unveiled. Director Iva Hraste Soco introduced the theatre’s new honorary chief conductor and the new five members.

Piero Giorgi Morandi was unveiled as the new honorary chief conductor of the Opera. The five new members of the Opera ensemble include sopranos Daria Auguštan and Marija Kuhar Sosa, mezzo-soprano Emilija Rukavina and tenors Domagoj Dorotic and Filip Filipovic.