Sights

Victor Monument - Pobednik

Bronze and stone, total height about 14 metres. Erected in 1928.
In 1912, Meštrović designed a monumental fountain on the theme of the liberation of Serbia from the Turks which was to have stood at Terazije square. The center of the fountain's basin would have contained a five-stepped column representing five centuries of slavery under the Turks and it was intended that the "Victor" should stand on top of this. After the end of World War I the project was given up, so that in 1928 the "Victor" was placed on a column in Kalemegdan as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the breach of the Thessaloniki Front. This monument is often used as a symbol of Belgrade.

Belgrade Fortress

The Belgrade Fortress stands on the hill overlooking the mouth of the river Sava. It was gradually built from the 1st to the 18th century as a fortified defense complex. Today the Fortress is a specific museum of Belgrade history. The compound comprises the Belgrade Fortress (which includes the Upper Town and the Lower Town) as well as the Kalemegdan Park.

Skadarlija

The old bohemian quarter of Belgrade dates back to late 19th and early 20th century. It was back then when its kafane (taverns and restaurants) were a meeting place for many of the greatest figures of the cultural scene of the period. It is often compared with the Montmartre in Paris, both for its appearance and the cheerful, vigorous artists' atmosphere.
This part of town took shape in the first half of 19th century and Skadarska Street was traced in 1872 each house being given its number. From the name of the street the affectionate term "Skadarlija" was created. Back then, many writers, actors, painters and journalists lived in Skadarlija. It assumed a definite bohemian character when "Dardanelles" a famous tavern was demolished in 1901. It's trusted clients then moved to the taverns in Skadarlija, bringing along the bohemian lifestyle and spirit. Today, as a tourist attraction, Skadarlija offers a variety of well known restaurants like "Tri šešira", "Ima dana", "Dva jelena", "Skadarlija", "Zlatni bokal" and "Dva bela goluba", as well as galleries, antiques and souvenirs shops.

Parliament of Serbia

Designed by the architect Jovan Ilkic, the construction of the parliament building started in 1906. It was completed in 1936 under the supervision of his son and fellow architect Pavle Ilkic. The monumental building retraces the classical style with some renaissance elements and it represents one of the major achievements of our recent architecture. Symmetrically, in front of the main entrance, there are two sculptural groups entitled "The prance of the black horses", authored by the sculptor Toma Roksandić.

Knez Mihailova Street

This pedestrian zone is under state protection as one of the oldest and most valuable architectural monuments containing a series of representative buildings and private houses built in the late 1880's. According to experts this zone used to be the center of Singidunum at the times of the Roman rule, and during the Ottoman rule, the winding streets in this part of the city were full of gardens, drinking fountains and mosques. Today, it is the main commercial center of Belgrade where many national institutions have their seat.

The Old Palace

The Old Palace, the Royal Palace of the Obrenović dynasty of Serbia, presently housing the City Assembly of Belgrade, is situated at the corner of Kralja Milana and Dragoslava Jovanovića streets. It was built between 1882 and 1884, according to the design of Aleksandar Bugarski, in the style of academism of the XIX century, with intention to surpass all existing residences of the Serbian rulers. A number of important events from the time of the political power of the Obrenović dynasty are linked to the Old Palace: the Palace was built when Serbia was proclaimed a Kingdom; in that same building, King Milan abdicated in favor of his son, Aleksandar, on February 22, 1889. Between 1903 and 1914, the Old Palace was the residence of the Karadjordjević dynasty. In 1919 and 1920, meetings of the Provisional National Assembly took place there. Royal festivities and receptions of high foreign guests took place there until 1941. The Palace was damaged twice: during World War I and during the bombing of Belgrade, on April 6, 1941. After World War I the Palace was repaired, while the first important restoration was done around 1930. The repair and re-arrangement of the Old Palace after World War II lasted until 1947.

Republic Square

The present square was formed after the demolition of the Stambol Gate in 1866, which had been built by the Austrians at the beginning of the XVIII century, and stood in the area between the present monument to Prince Mihailo and the National Theatre building. It was the largest and most beautiful town gate at the time when Belgrade was encircled by the moat. When the Stambol Gate was torn down, a lot of construction material became available. It was used to construct many buildings in the zone, including the National Theatre, built in 1869. Today the Square is a popular place for the young Belgrade’s to meet before going elsewhere to have fun. Actually, even those who do not know Belgrade very well, prefer the Square as an orientation point.

Millenary Monument in Zemun

To mark thousand years of their stay in Pannonia, Hungarians raised monumental buildings in Budapest in 1896 and four more monuments were built in four towns on the overall borders of their kingdom. Zemun as the southernmost town in the possession of Hungarian crown was one of those towns. In the ruins of mediaeval fort from which today was left only angular towers and parts of defending wall. Tower was constructed by Hungarian architects, eclectically in mix of the historical styles with emphasis on the roman elements. Building was finished on August 5th 1896 while the ceremonial opening was 15 days later. Millenary monument get name by Hungarian hero and great fighter against Turks, Janos Hunjadi who in fact did die in mediaeval fort on Gardos but some 440 years before building the millenary tower. The whole area around the tower today is popular promenade of people in Zemun better known as Gardos. Today Gardos represents part of Zemun which is complex for itself with its own cultural-historically heredity. Architecture of the houses on Gardos is different from the rural in other part of Zemun. According to its own specific standing, narrow streets with cobble and the tower, Gardos could represent significant sightseeing attraction also.

Captain Misa's building

It has been built from 1858 until 1863 as a private palace of Miša Anastasijević, "the Danube captain" and the wealthiest man in Serbia of his times. While it was still under construction, Captain Misa presented it to the people of Serbia, as the inscription on the main facade states, for educational and cultural purposes. At that time, it was the largest and most beautiful palace in the country. Its architecture shows the influence of various styles, cultures and epochs, with elements of romanticism and the Renaissance predominating. As the donor wished, nearly all the significant educational and cultural institutions in the Principality of Serbia were at one time housed here. Today it houses the office of the Rector of Belgrade University.