Belgrade tales: Hram Svetog Save

The biggest church in the region

Continuing our journey of Belgrade tales and discovering all the prominent monuments of the Serbian capital, I am taking you to a very magnificent place. By pointing out at this national treasure, it would be really stating the obvious. Nevertheless, I am convinced that you would not be able to simply pass by this monument, and not stop for a moment to admire its grandeur, beauty and glory. Maybe you would even wonder what this remarkably huge church represents, and whether you can come inside. Well, the place where I am taking you today is more than just a park with a church, but one of the largest Orthodox monuments in the world. Allow me to present you the renowned, Hram Svetog Save (Sveti Sava Temple) of Belgrade, Serbia.

As the largest and the most famous Orthodox church in the region, the Temple of Saint Sava is located in the Vracar area in downtown Belgrade. Despite its small area, Vracar is only a walking distance from the very center of the city, which makes this monument rather convenient spot to visit.

However, this location carries even bigger historical importance. The spot represents a precise place where Sinan Pasha burned the relics of the Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. And in case you really have no clue who Saint Sava was, here is a brief overview. Born by the name of Rastko Nemanjic, Saint Sava was a nobleman from the ruling Nemanjic family, an influential diplomat and the first Serbian archbishop. With the support of the Patriarch of the Ecumenical, he proclaimed the independence of the church and laid the foundations of today's Serbian Orthodox Church. He obtained the royal crown from the Roman pope and the sovereignty of Serbia. All of this and many more make Saint Sava one of the most influential people in Serbian history.

Today, this temple is one of the greatest monuments of the Belgrade landscape, but it was only after exceptionally long and painful period of construction that lasted since 1935. However, Belgrade born and its tourists can enjoy in the magnificent view of the monument surrounded by nature, yet in the very center of Belgrade. I suggest you to have a nice stroll from Cvetni Trg (The Flower Square) of Belgrade, maybe stop by for a theatre performance at the Jugoslovensko Dramsko Pozoriste and continue walking up the hill until you see the greatest building in the city. Trust me, it is worth the walk.