HNK Ivan pl. Zajc Rijeka - Hrvatsko narodno kazalište Ivana pl. Zajca Rijeka / Ivan Zajc Croatian National Theatre

Croatian National Theater Ivana pl. Zajca in Rijeka attracts attention both with its fascinating High Renaissance-Baroque historical building and the rich content that spills over the edges of the building: most evenings of the year, everything in front of the theater is buzzing with an impatient audience waiting for a drama, ballet or opera performance or concert.

Virtual walk in "Zajce"

About the

Rijeka Theater The audience is very attached to their theater and proud of it for more than 130 years. After the city authorities decided that the previous theater, Teatro Adamić (opened in 1805), did not meet the needs of the city, the new, luxurious and modern theater building was designed by the distinguished Viennese architects Hermann Gottlieb Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, and the decorations were made by the Venetian sculptor Augusto Benvenuti. The theater building was built on the square that was created by filling up the sea, and was officially opened on October 3, 1885. with the performance of Verdi's opera Aida and Ponchielli's La Gioconda. At the time of its opening, the Theater was the only place in the city where an electric light bulb and a telephone could be seen.

Over the years, top artists have performed on Rijeka's stage, to name just a few: composers and conductors Giacomo Puccini and Pietro Mascagni, famous tenors Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli, great actress Sarah Bernhardt.
The auditorium (ground floor, mezzanine and two loggia floors, and balcony) can accommodate 650 people.