The Temple of Saint Sava (Serbian Cyrillic: Храм Светог Саве, romanized: Hram Svetog Save, lit. ''The Temple of Saint Sava'') is a Serbian Orthodox church which sits on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade, Serbia. It was planned as the bishopric seat and main cathedral of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church is dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and an important figure in medieval Serbia. It is built on the presumed location of St. Sava's grave. His coffin had been moved from Mileševa Monastery to Belgrade. The coffin was placed on a pyre and burnt in 1595 by Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha. Bogdan Nestorović and Aleksandar Deroko were finally chosen to be the architects in 1932 after a second revised competition in 1926–27 (for which no first award was granted, Nestorović being runner up). This sudden decision instigated an important debate in interwar Yugoslavia which centered around the temple's size, design and symbolic national function. This was accompanied by a sizeable increase in the base area of the ambitiously conceived project. The new design departed from the competition guidelines issued in 1926, and was to replicate the dimensions and architecture of Hagia Sophia.
The first stone was laid in 1935. When Yugoslavia was under occupation in 1941, the construction was approximately ten metres high. The incomplete building was used as a depot by the German army and Tito's partisans. After the war, the Orthodox Church was unsuccessful in its attempt to secure permission to complete the building. Permission was granted in 1984, and the architect Branko Pešić was commissioned to adapt the project to new construction techniques. On May 12, 1985, a liturgy was held at the temple with 100,000 people in attendance. This marked a turning point in the then-communist country; the church had reinstated its position and the communist elite had to back down from a decade-long ban prohibiting the construction of the church. In June 1989, the concrete dome of the temple, weighing 4,000 tonnes and constructed entirely on the ground, was raised to its present position. This was a landmark achievement in construction.
Rapailo Miljanovic | Jan 15, 2018
This temple is one of the biggest structures in the city and great artistic achievement. It is steel under construction which is not surprising taking in consideration circumstances that occurred during building process. This is definitely place to visit in order to understand Serbian culture and their view of religion.
Ivan | Jan 9, 2018
The temple is big and massive but it is still not finished. The garbage is all around the place and the works are going very slow. Inside is very grey and undone. In front of it there is a nice park so it is nice to sit there and enjoy the view. Whet it is finished it should be very nice but who knows when is that going to be.
Alexander Potapov | Nov 6, 2017
Definitely one of the most spectacular and magnificent temples I have ever seen. The church is being redecorated and rebuilt now, so we just are able to imagine intricately made mosaics inside. Anyway, the temple definitely one of the most culturally significant buildings in Belgrade. It is simply impossible to look at it and maintain equilibrium.
Jo islands | Feb 11, 2018
5stars if it was ready inside.They are still building things inside.Very big church and nice architecture worth watching.Saved us from an unexpected heavy rain
Kelsey Betzelberger | Jan 27, 2018
Beautiful but under construction. The outside is absolutely gorgeous, but on the inside, there's a huge box asking for donations to FINISH THE CONSTRUCTION hahahaha
PtitNFit R | Mar 27, 2018
The temple is still under construction but you can observe the lower part and the beautiful decorated dome,
Boris Ilic | Mar 7, 2018
Saint Sava temple is the biggest one in Southeast Europe, and.the biggest Serbian Orthodox temple in the world. The highest point of the temple's roof is above 70meters from ground. It started to be built in early 20th century and still is not finished. It was destroyed partially in World War II. This is one of the most beautiful temple in the world. Also, one of the most acoustic one, so the concerts of classic music and chorus music held there sounds amazing, almost like beyond reality. This is something you must visit when you are visiting Europe, especially Begrade and Serbia
Andrijana Mišić | Apr 11, 2018
This temple is an orthodox Christian church of great proportions that can be seen from many different points of the city. It is very bright and beautiful on the outside but unfortunately it appears to be a never-ending story when it comes to its finishing. It is bare and undone inside with the exception of the subterranean crypt that is thoroughly depicted and decorated with images of Serbian national history and religious history. The outside plateau is deteriorated and too green for the purpose, should be paved enough to gather the fidels to pray in mass on important occasions. One entry to the temple looks like a construction site whilst roughly half of the paving slabs are broken and wiggling when you step on. It should be amazing when done but that is a big matter of time.
Murat Uder | Apr 21, 2018
Supposed to be a very beautiful Orthodox Christian Church, but it is not complete yet. Apparently has been a long time since it started but not finished yet. It is also located in a nice and pieceful environment.
Ka L | Apr 27, 2018
A must-see attraction in Belgrade. Temple of Sava is currently under renovation inside as of April 2018. But the underground section is immaculate.
Danijela Radivojević | May 1, 2018
Great place to visit. Beautiful park, library nearby, parking available, pay zone. Inside you can see lovely paintings. Not finished yet.
Demeter | May 22, 2018
Such a great and amazing chruch , but it's still on construction. It doesn't matter at all because the moment you enter the church you can feel the peace it offers. Also, for tourists around the world ; watch out the dress code. I think you have to cover your shoulders and it's okay to wear jeans but it has to cover your knees. It would be great for me to visit the church after it's finished.
Miles Macdonald | Jun 10, 2018
Impressive church with massive dome, must go inside to look upwards to the ceiling of the dome. Renovation currently going on. Fine to enter church with shorts and t-shirt.
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