Saborna Crkva - The Cathedral in Belgrade

Saborna crkva u Beogradu

Saborna crkva- the most importan infromation
The Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Belgrade is better known as Saborna crkva (the Cathedral). The term cathedral means that it is the main city church, headed by a bishop. Therefore, this church proudly bears the title of the main one in the entire city, and it stands out in many other ways, from its historical and artistic significance to the rich treasury and graves of famous people in Serbia. It is located near the main pedestrian zone of Belgrade - Knez Mihailova Street.

History of Saborna crkva
The church we have the opportunity to see today was built on the foundations of an old church from the 18th century. The old church was demolished and rebuilt several times due to the Turkish-Austrian conflicts. Finally, in 1837, the construction of the church began, which will remain a symbol of Belgrade, and whose construction was ordered by Prince Milos Obrenovic. It was named by him, after his baptism, to the Archangel Michael.

Architecture and interior of Saborna crkva
Saborna crkva is the largest Orthodox church erected during the existence of the Principality of Serbia. It was built in the neoclassical style with baroque elements, as a single-nave building. It has an elongated rectangular base with a narthex (western entrance), below which there is a crypt with arches that hold the construction of the bell tower. In addition to being primarily a place of worship, this church is also a kind of museum. It contains icons and frescoes by the famous Serbian painter Dimitrije Avramović, as well as an iconostasis made by the sculptor Dimitrije Petrović. Many will agree that this is one of, if not the most beautifully painted church in Belgrade.

Significance of Saborna crkva
The church treasury, despite the destruction and demolition, remained rich. It still keeps valuable books, writings, icons, documents, but also works of art, which are part of the rich heritage of this church with a turbulent history. Also, many relics make this church even more special. The graves of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic and Dositej Obradovic are located in the church gate, right next to the entrance. While Milos and Mihailo Obrenovic, Metropolitans Mihailo and Inokentije, as well as Patriarchs Gavrilo and Vikentije were buried in the church itself. The relics of Prince Stefan Stiljanovic, Duke Petar Nikolajevic Moler and parts of the relics of Prince Lazar and St. Jovan of Shanghai are also buried here.

What to see in Saborna crkva?
Parts of the rich church treasury consist of:

Gospels from the 18th century
hand cross of Metropolitan Michael
a silver gilded chandelier in the Baroque spirit
graves of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić and Dositej Obradović

How to get to Saborna crkva?
The church is located in the very center of the city, across from the Patriarchate Palace and the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and in the immediate vicinity of Kalemegdan.

On foot: it is about 500 meters away from Knez Mihailova Street. You can reach it along Pariska Street, or one of the side streets that descend from Knez Mihailova to Kneza Sime Markovića Street.
By taxi: Pink taxi - 19803; 0800 11 9803; 065 488 99 77 Safe Tax BG - 060 8801010, Lux Taxi -011 3033 123
By public transport: Nearby is the Kalemegdan Park station where trams 2 and 11 stop.

Visiting time
The church is open from 7 to 20 hours. The morning liturgy begins at 7.30 or 9 am, while the evening one begins at 5 pm.

Additional information
To enter the church, it is necessary to be properly dressed, with covered shoulders, without short clothes and slippers.