Belgrade's National Theatre anchors Republic Square with the kind of ceremonial facade that tells you exactly where the old city wanted its cultural centre to be. The building dates to the 19th century, and its programme still carries the big national-stage mix: drama, opera, and ballet.
Even if you do not catch a performance, it is worth pausing here because the theatre sits at one of Belgrade's most useful orientation points. The National Museum, Knez Mihailova, Skadarlija, and Kalemegdan all radiate from this part of town, so the theatre becomes both a landmark and a reminder that Belgrade is more layered than its nightlife reputation.