Social circumstances in Split and Dalmatia during the construction of the Municipal Theatre.

After the victory of the National Party at the election of 1882 Split was being more effectively connected to its hinterland. It also gave rise to a new development, so that Split became more and more frequently referred to as ßa town of the futureÇ. Bue to poor condition of roads, the development mainly relied on sea routes and an orientation towards maritime economy, as well as on building a road towards Bosnia as a prospective market with great potential. The economic conditions were unfavourable and slow to improve, so that at the time Split was still a town with a predominantly agricultural economy. Despite all this, investments were being made in the eighties and the nineties, due to which the telephone was introduced as early as 1895, much before many other towns in Croatia. The situation was much better in the town’s cultural life: there were various associations, public libraries and reading clubs; many distinguished artists and painters were working in Split and there were numerous diplomatic representatives. More attention was being paid to education, and its role in the life of the town was gaining in importance.