Church of Saint Sava
The Orthodox church on the Vračar plateau is dedicated to Saint Sava. Its construction extended over many decades. The exterior was completed in 2004.
Saint Sava and Vračar
The temple commemorates Rastko Nemanjić, the monk who became the first archbishop of the autocephalous Serbian Church in 1219. The site on the Vračar plateau is traditionally associated with the burning of his relics under Ottoman rule.
Construction across generations
Construction began in 1935 to designs by Bogdan Nestorović and Aleksandar Deroko. Work stopped during the Second World War and resumed in 1985. The central dome was assembled at ground level and lifted into place in 1989.
Dome, crypt and neighbouring church
Look up at the mosaic in the central dome, then see the crypt if it is open to visitors. The crypt preserves the foundation stone. The smaller Church of Saint Sava beside the temple has its own history, with foundations consecrated in 1895.
Related places
Sources
- https://www.tob.rs/en/vracar-kat
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_of_Saint_Sava_in_Belgrade.jpg
- https://hramsvetogsave.rs/istorijat-hrama-svetog-save/
- https://hramsvetogsave.rs/izgled-hrama/kupola-hrama-svetog-save/
- https://hramsvetogsave.rs/izgled-hrama/kripta-hrama-svetog-save/
- https://hramsvetogsave.rs/istorijat-crkve-svetog-save/