Built in 1869 to the design of Aleksandar Bugarski, the most fruitful architect in 19th century Belgrade. The decision to construct a special building for the theatre was taken by Mihailo Obrenović, but the foundation stone was laid and the charter drawn up three months after his death, in the presence of Prince Milan and his regents on 18 August 1868. The theatre was formally opened on 30 October 1869 with a performance of Posmrtna slava Mihaila Obrenovića III (The Posthumous Glory of Mihailo Obrenović III), written for the occasion by the theatre manager, writer and politician Đorđe Maletić (b. Jasenovo, Banat, 1816, d. Belgrade 1888). The building was typical of the theatre buildings of the time and was particularly reminiscent of La Scala, Milan, with regard to its Renaissance elements and the decorative finish. Later reconstructions, however, completely changed the original appearance, the facade being redesigned by Josif Bukavac in 1914 and the interior by Nikola Šercer in 1965. The latest reconstruction and extension to the theatre were completed in 1989. to designs by architects Slobodan Drinjaković, Ljubomir Zdravković and Milan Pališaški.

The Great Constitutional Assembly of 1888 adopted the famous new constitution of the year in this building.








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