The history of the Croatian National Theatre in split is quite long and complex. The theatre was built as the municipal theater of the city of split during the reign of mayor G. Bulat in 1893. The building was designed by local architects. At that time the theatre was one of the biggest in South-Eastern Europe. It could accommodate 1000 people out of a population split 16 000 people. Originally the building was used for theatrical productions visiting troupes, mostly Italian, as until the 19th century the city was not drama troupe.

The first professional theatrical troupe appeared in 1920, when the building was first renovated, and the theater was renamed the "national theatre of Dalmatia". In 1928, during the reign of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the theatre was merged with the National theatre of Sarajevo and renamed "national theatre to the Western regions". In the same year, the authorities disbanded the professional ensemble of actors. However, a group of artists headed by Ivo Tigerdave formed a Theatre Company split, which he continued to put the Opera and operetta in 1930.

In 1940, the theater underwent a brief Renaissance period, adopting its current name and first typing Opera, ballet and drama troupe. But the revival was short-lived, as the theatre was closed again in 1941 during the Italian occupation of the Second world war, when the southern part of Croatia was included in the military governorship of Dalmatia. At the end of the war, the theatre was restored and his first season was opened in September 1945.

Theatre works and still. However, in 1970 as a result of the fire, the theatre was completely destroyed. Restored he was only in 1980.

Now the Croatian national Theatre shows about 300 performances a year, taking about 120 000 spectators. It takes about 20-40 Opera, ballet and dramatic productions a year, as well as many Symphony concerts. The theatre is called "the First theatre house in Dalmatia and one of the largest and oldest theatre buildings in the Mediterranean".

In addition to its regular repertoire of the Croatian national Theatre annually conducts two long festival: Summer Festival split and the Days of Marulic.

The summer Festival was founded in 1954 and is the second oldest festival of performing arts in the country. The festival usually lasts about 30 days from mid-July to mid-August and includes a huge variety of events: jazz under the open sky, classical music concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances in squares, showing modern dance, etc.

Festival "Days of Marulic" was created in 1991 on the 490-year anniversary of the publication Judita, one of the most important literary works, which was written by M. Marurice in the 16th century. A week-long festival was held in April where it demonstrated the best achievements of Croatian drama of last year.