National Theatre in Belgrade - Building – detail

The National Theatre building was erected upon the initiative of Prince Mihailo Obrenović, after the design by architect Aleksandar Bugarski. The foundation was laid in 1868. This building, designed in the style of academism was modeled upon the general type of theatre halls built at that time in Europe, particularly the Scala from Milan. The entrance, vestibule, the theatre hall with seats and the stage were on the longer axis; left and right of the main axis the other rooms were arranged symmetrically. Bugarski paid special attention to the façade turned towards the square, which had a central broad projection that ended in a triangular timpanum in the roof with a dividing cornice emphasizing its horizontal zone. On the ground floor there was a porch; above it, on the level of the first floor, there was a terrace with a decorative fence. The first reconstructions and alterations were done in 1885 and 1903. After the design by architect Josif Bukavac the classic concept of Aleksandar Bugarski was changed between 1911 and 1921 in a solution with massive side columns that flank the entrance and plastic decoration in art nouveau style. During the bombing of Belgrade in WW II, the building of the national Theatre was considerably damaged, so that the ensuing repairs from 1941-1942 significantly simplified the outer and inside decorations. Only the fundamental reconstruction done between 1986 and 1989 restored the architectural appearance of the building from 1922, and added the central dome and two smaller side domes above the entrance. The interior was also restored and an extension was added in the back, overlooking Braće Jugovića Street, after the design by architects Slobodan Drinjaković and Ljubomir Zdravković.