Spomenik srpskim ratnicima

Monument to Serbian soldier - the most important information

The monument is dedicated to officers and soldiers who died in the Balkan wars and the First World War. The Monument and Memorial Ossuary to the Defenders of Belgrade 1914-1918 at Novo Groblje in Belgrade served as the inspiration for the construction in 1934. It can be visited at any time of the day and is a must see when visiting Kraljevo.

History of the Monument to Serbian soldier
The figure on the monument is a Serbian soldier in traditional Serbian footwear opanak and with a national hat sajkaca on his head, holding a rifle with his right hand and hugging a flag with his left. The figure itself is 4.1 meters high while the height of the pedestal is 10.5 meters. The authors of this sculpture are the architect Roman Verhovski and the sculptors Zivojin Lukic and Vladimir Pavlovic Zagorodnjuk.

Already after the end of the Second Balkan War, there was an idea to erect the monument, but the plans at the time were interrupted by the First World War. The fate of the monument in Kraljevo was decided by the circumstances that befell the Monument to the Defenders of Belgrade. When the right time came to build the monument, the Association of Reserve Officers and Warriors raised the necessary funds. At that time, there was a problem with the choice of location and the decision to erect a monument in Belgrade at Novo Groblje cemetery left the president of the Association dissatisfied. He then donated the project and molds of the monument to the Association of Warriors from Kraljevo, with a promise from them that the monument would be erected in the city center. There was a market at this location in Kraljevo, so the merchants opposed this idea because they thought that the monument would endanger their business. After the resolution of all conflicts, the construction of the monument in Kraljevo began in 1928 and was largely completed by 1931.

A place for plaques with the names of the fallen warriors was left on the monument itself, but they were never placed and so the monument never got the look that was planned. Instead, bronze plaques with the names of battles and places where warriors were treated were installed. During his first visit to the city on October 7, 1951, Josip Broz Tito held a rally on the square next to the monument.

Significance of the Monument to Serbian soldier

Pedestal is a monolithic rock that symbolically represents the strength of the people, while at its foot the sea waves represented by the stone break against it and thus resemble The blue tomb
The figure, with the state coat of arms, is positioned to the north, so that it stands as a reminder of where the enemy came from; It was built in such a way that the position and silhouette of the soldier were in the shape of a cross in order to symbolize the crucifixion and suffering of the Serbian people

How to get to Monument to Serbian soldier?
The Monument is located on the Serbian warriors square in Kraljevo and a walk through the city is the best way to visit it. If you prefer a ride, you can call one of the taxi services that are available 24 hours a day.