Knez Mihajlova Street – The pedestrian zone and centre are under protection as one of the oldest and most valuable city ambients. Numerous monuments, remarkable buildings and private houses were built around 1870. Republic Square – The area covering the present Republic square was uninhabited until 1835, spreading behind Stambol gate. After the gate had been demolished, the construction material was used for building a number of houses in the square, including National Theatre, in 1869.