Republic of Croatia Square
Republic of Croatia Square () is one of the biggest squares in Zagreb, Croatia. The square is located in Lower Town, with the Croatian National Theatre building at its centre. It is sometimes billed as the "most beautiful square in Zagreb". The present-day square was formed in the period between 1856 (when the former hospital was built on its northern side) and 1964 (when the "Ferimport" building was erected on the western side). However, the majority of buildings overlooking the square were built in the late 19th century in the historicist style of architecture. Republic of  Croatia Square was the first in line of three squares which form the west wing of the so-called Lenuci's horseshoe (), a U-shaped belt of squares and parks designed by engineer Milan Lenuci in the late 19th century which frames the core part of Zagreb's city centre. The east wing of the belt is formed by the King Tomislav, Strossmayer and Zrinski squares, and the west wing by the Marulić, Mažuranić and Republic of Croatia squares, with the Botanical Garden connecting the two. The square is home to several cultural and educational institutions and several landmark sculptures . Former names. Being one of the most prominent squares in Zagreb its name was often changed in accordance to political circumstances of the time. The last change happened in 2017, as citizens' groups were lobbying for another name change on the grounds that Josip Broz Tito is a negative historical personality, due to his involvement in the many deaths during the rule of his communist regime. The following is a complete list of names the square carried throughout its history. Name change controversy. In February 2008 about 2000 protesters, dressed in red aprons, gathered at the Marshal Tito Square, as  it was known at the time, demanding the square to be renamed Theatre Square. Some 200 supporters of Marshal Tito also assembled at the opposite end of the square. The police prevented the two groups from coming in contact with each other. Zagreb's Mayor Milan Bandić said that there is no historic reason to change the name of the square. However, in June, 2017, the same mayor stated that he would suggest the square to be renamed and that the new name would be the Republic of Croatia Square. The Square was officially renamed by the City of Zagreb  Assembly, and adopted its new name on 1 September 2017.