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Saint Sava Temple - The most important information

The Church of Saint Sava is one of the most recognizable symbols of Belgrade. This magnificent place is located in the center of the capital and daily gathers a large number of believers and interested tourists. This imposing white marble building is one of the biggest attractions of the Serbian capital and at the same time the largest Orthodox place of worship in this part of the world.

History of the Saint Sava Temple

The history of this magnificent temple goes back far into our past. The place where it is believed that the Turks burned the relics of Saint Sava brought from Mileseva is today where a large temple was built in his honor and glory. Three centuries after that act, the Society for the Foundation of the Temple was formed, and the temple's construction began only in 1935. By 2004, most of the works were completed, but the first row of frescoes is still in progress, and the external and internal decorations and frescoes are being actively refined. The temple was built in the Serbian-Byzantine style and it contains 4 bell towers. Under the temple, there is a crypt where the patriarchs will be buried.

The importance of the Saint Sava Temple
The Temple of Saint Sava, with its imposing size, is one of the largest temples in the world. It occupies an area of almost 5,000 square meters and reaches nearly 80 meters in height. Its dome is 39.5 meters in diameter. Particularly impressive is the mosaic inside the temple, which covers 15,000 square meters. The Church of St. Sava can accommodate up to 10,000 believers.

What to see in Saint Sava Temple
The Church of St. Sava is a real miracle of Serbian architecture and fine art. Inside the temple, you can find many precious frescoes, icons, and a crypt. We have highlighted what you can see inside the temple:

Interior mosaic: This mosaic focuses on the Ascension of Jesus, in which he is shown with a raised hand and surrounded by angels.
Crypt of the temple: It is a separate, underground temple, which is called the Temple of the Holy Great Martyr Prince Lazar. In this space, in addition to worship services, numerous exhibitions, panels, lectures, and other cultural gatherings are held. In this place, you can also see the burial place of Patriarch Irinej.
Svetosavski plateau: In front of the St. Sava temple, there is a landscaped plateau with a fountain. Within the plateau, there is also a park with benches and a children's playground, as well as a monument to Karađorđe and the building of the National Library.

How to get to the Temple of Saint Sava?
Given that the temple is located in the heart of Belgrade, on Vračar, almost all city transport lines lead to it. Near the temple are Slavija Square, Autokomanda, and a number of university and health institutions. You can reach the temple as follows: