Croatian Home, Split

Croatian Home, located in Tončićeva Street, Split, is one of the most representative Art Nouveau buildings in the city. It was built in 1908 according to the design of architect Kamilo Tončić, and intended as a gathering place for cultural, artistic, and sports associations.

From its opening, the Croatian Home served as a cultural centre, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and gatherings. Over time, the modifications carried out during the 1930s, as well as those in the period of the Second World War and the early postwar years—during which the original decoration was removed—almost completely altered the building’s original appearance. Nevertheless, the building’s original structure and Tončić’s design vision have remained clearly visible.

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A major restoration project later strengthened the building and carefully reconstructed its Art Nouveau decorative elements using historical photographs and traditional craftsmanship, returning the Croatian Home much of its original elegance. Today, it represents a model Croatian Secession palace building, testifying to the high level of architectural culture, workmanship and wealth of the citizens of Split.

Our XR reconstruction preserves and presents this architectural gem in unprecedented detail, allowing visitors worldwide to experience its grandeur remotely. The project combines photogrammetry, archival research and state-of-the-art rendering technology to create an authentic virtual experience.

Main facade before and after reconstruction. Photographs: Valentino Bilić Prcić, 2011 and 2021

Key insights

Style
Secesija, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Modern Style, Stile Liberty, Modernismo, Secession, Arte Nova, Szecesszió
architect
Kamilo Tončić
Time Period
Early 20th Century
Typology
Public building, Concert Hall
Location
Tončićeva ulica, Split, Croatia
image of a lively gaming area (for a gaming and entertainment)

virtual walk

Project management, data collection and processing: Boban + Partneri, Split
Photographs and illustrations: Ivana Marušić and Toni Boban (Boban plus Partneri d.o.o., Split); Kazinoti & Komenda; Valentino Bilić Prcić; Mile Modić (posters; source: Forgas store); Gordana Kuzmić-Kalogjera (floor plan and façade; excerpt from the main architectural project)
Archival photographs: Conservation Department in Split; Split City Museum; University Library in Split; private archives, Split Sports Federation

RESTORATION PROJECT CREDITS:


Project restoration management: City of Split
Main project: Project Studio G2, Zagreb
Reconstruction of the original appearance - rectification of historical photographs: Višnja Peleš, dipl. ing. arh.
Conservation research, conservation works and reconstruction of decoration:
Croatian Restoration Department, Zagreb; Neir d.o.o., Split; Giuseppe Sava, restorer
Execution of construction and craft works:
Teh-gradnja d.o.o., Zagreb
Research, conservation supervision and project management:
Conservation Department in Split, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia
(MSc Sanja Buble, architect and senior conservation advisor; PhD Sandi Bulimbašić, art historian and senior conservation advisor)
Signage and wayfinding: Kazinoti & Komenda, collaborator Frane Balta
Funds: City of Split and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
PhD Sandi Bulimbašić, art historian and senior conservation advisor, Conservation Department in Split
MSc,
Sanja Buble, architect and senior conservator, Conservation Department in Split

Vanesa Kleva, Director of the Croatian House 

Slaven Tahirbegović, Ante Balarin–Đipalo, and Ivona Zulim
Brist Tourist Agency and the Cooperative Association of Dalmatia (Zadružni savez Dalmacije)
Petra Milovac, art historian and senior curator

The content of the virtual exhibition is based on the research of conservators and available literature.

Project funding: European Union
Bezić Božanić, Nevenka (1965). »Prilog proučavanju secesije u Splitu«, Peristil 8–9, 175–182.
Buble, Sanja (2011). »Hrvatski dom Kamila Tončića u Splitu«, Prilozi povijesti umjetnosti u Dalmaciji 42, 417–439.
Buble, Sanja (2019/2020). »Hrvatski dom u Splitu, izazov obnove«, Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske, 43/44, 115–130.
Buble, Sanja (2024). »Hrvatski dom u Splitu, svjedok vremena«, Hrvatska revija 3, 2024  Časopis Matice Hrvatske.
Bulimbašić, Sandi (2016). Društvo hrvatskih umjetnika »Medulić« (1908. – 1919.) umjetnost i politika, Zagreb: Društvo povjesničara umjetnosti Hrvatske.
Kezić, Mario (1991). Arhitektura secesije u Splitu, Split: Književni krug.
Piplović, Stanko (1991). Kamilo Tončić, Split: Društvo prijatelja kulturne baštine.
Šverko, Ivana (2003). Splitska škola za dizajn, Split: Književni krug.