Gajo Filomen Bulat (1836. – 1900.)
Gajo Filomen Bulat (1836 – 1900)

Summary/Abstract: Although Gajo Filomen Bulat was not born in Split, he was a significant figure in the political life of both the city and Dalmatia for 40 years. A lawyer by profession, he served as mayor for eight years. He was a representative in both the Imperial Council for 21 years and the Diet of Dalmatia for 24 years. After the death of Mihovil Klaić, Gajo Filomen Bulat was elected president of the Diet of Dalmatia. This paper focuses on the mayoral accomplishments of Gajo Bulat. The newspapaper Narod regularly published the minutes of the Town Council meetings, which has made it possible for the author to gain an insight into Bulat’s political activities. During his tenure, he introduced Croatian as the official language of the municipal authorities. In addition, he worked on the improvement of health care and public safety and initiated the opening of many public service buildings that were the key to the economic development of the city. Notwithstanding the achievements, Gajo Bulat would, however, be remembered as the one who initiated the construction of the first municipal theatre. Although he faced strong opposition from his political adversaries, he boldly supported the construction of the building. In 1893, the first Croatian Municipal Theatre, then the largest one in the Balkans, opened its doors to the public. Bulat was a man of enormous energy – he actively participated in the work of a number of cultural and economic associations. Bulat’s activities in Zagreb and Vienna, however, have not been addressed in greater detail in the paper. May young historians find this task intriguing!

• Details
• Contents