In the rich history of theatre and cinematography of Rijeka, we may consider Teatro Fenice – representing the first application of reinforced concrete in the framework of theatre buildings in Croatia from the secession period – to be architecturally one of the most interesting buildings. The first part of this master thesis contains the explanation for the emergence of secession, its origin, development in Europe as well as in Croatia. Afterwards the focus is directed, naturally, to Rijeka which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire dominion. Various architectural influences from the Middle-European cultural circle are intertwined in the architecture of Rijeka. In this context the famous Viennese school of architecture lead by Otto Wagner has left a strong impression. Following the insight into the historical and architectural context of Rijeka at the beginning of the 20th century we arrive at the main theme – the Teatro Fenice building, which has had its ups and downs regarding construction, but also regarding the acquisition of a building permit, reconstructions, adaptations and realization. Beginning in the year 1880 as the wooden theatre Teatro Ricotti, having a glamourous opening as Teatro Fenice in 1914 – beginning with movie projections the same year, going through a series of powerful earthquakes two years later, making the Elaborata for reconstruction and changing the name in 1991. The focal point of this paper then shifts to the foundations of the theatre, more precisely, the construction made from reinforced concrete, granting Teatro Fenice the status of the only theatre building in Croatia with that architectural enterprise. Besides our first Croatian example, the paper mentions other European building of the time with the same construction, like the Champs-Élysées theatre in Paris, the theatres in Veszprem and Sopron. After the chronological sequence of events describ describing the construction of Teatro Fenice, we come to the pressing issue: the attempt of its revitalization and reconstruction. Incidentally, Teatro Fenice has ceased to be open for the public in the spring of 2010 due to the severely damaged ceiling and a leakage in the roof. Seeing as this is a privately owned building, it seems that it’s doomed to ruination due to the humble funds allocated from the government budget. The only hope and chance for its salvation may be found within the European Union, seeing as Rijeka was in the spring of this year declared the European Culture Capital for the year 2020 (EPK 2020). The department of culture in charge of the EPK projects revealed the plans for Teatro Fenice.