City Puppet Theatre, Split, Croatia

Standing: Notable
Rank: Rank 196 of 874

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About City Puppet Theatre

The City Puppet Theatre Split (Gradsko kazalište lutaka Split, GKL Split) grew out of an amateur marionette section whose first public performance, an adaptation of a Grimm tale, took place on 26 November 1933 under architect Vlaho Linardović, in the former Youth Centre where the theatre still works today. From that group came the first professional puppet (marionette) company in Croatia, which began work on 8 March 1945 under its first director Mirko Božić and gave its first premiere on 2 August 1945. Renamed Pionir in 1946 and Split Puppet Theatre in 1992, it took its present name in 1994. A fire in 1969 destroyed the stage and much of the archive; the hall reopened in 1970.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

Season and crowds

The City Puppet Theatre is at Tončićeva 1 in Split. Its programme is published on its website by season, and many shows are for children aged 3 and over; weekday morning performances, often at 9:45 and 11:00, are mainly booked by kindergartens and schools, while Saturday performances, typically at 11:00, are on general sale and popular ones sell out. The sales office and box office are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and one hour before each performance (phone +385 21 395 968, [email protected]). The theatre also organises Mali Marulić, a festival of Croatian drama for children, and takes part in the annual Night of Theatres, held in 2026 on 21 November.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source