Trg republike

Republic Square - basic information

Republic Square is a meeting place for all residents of Belgrade, and for tourists the starting and main destination from which the tour of the city begins. This square contains many stories that took place during ancient times. Today, it is a recognizable motif on postcards and travel pictures, which fascinates many who visit it.

History of Republic Square
In the area of today's Republic Square, until 1866, the magnificent but infamous Stambol Gate was erected, which was erected during the Ottoman occupation. It was remembered by the people as a place where Serbs were punished. It occupied the space that is today located between the National Theater and the monument to Prince Mihailo. This place will remain known for the fact that Vasa Carapic, one of the military leaders of the First Serbian Uprising, was mortally wounded there. After the demolition of the gate, nothing was built on the square, until the building of the National Theater was erected in 1869.

People spontaneously began to feel it as an important meeting place, but it was not until 1882 that a monument to Prince Mihailo was built, who ordered the demolition of the Stambol Gate. After that, the period of formation of the main city square began, which was then known as the Theater Square. However, in that period, one-storey buildings were built, which served as shops and cafes. On the site of today's National Museum, there was the famous Dardanelles Tavern, a gathering place for actors and artists, who spent their evenings right there, singing to music and rejoicing until the morning. Unfortunately, the tavern was demolished in 1903, and a building was gradually formed in its place, which today serves as a museum.

Republic Square today
After World War II, the appearance of the square and the buildings around it changed. There were several multi-storey buildings that we can still see today in the immediate vicinity of the monument to Prince Mihailo. In addition to the buildings of the National Theater and Museum, there is also the so-called Staklenac shopping center, the Reunion Palace, the Press House, but also many bookstores, restaurants, bars and business premises. The last reconstructions of the Square were completed during 2020, so today there are benches with built-in chargers for phones, but also a space in front of the monument to Prince Mihailo, which is suitable for holding cultural events and manifestations. In winter, a free skating rink is open, as well as wooden houses that offer various treats for passers-by, as part of the Open Heart Square humanitarian program.

Monument to Prince Mihailo
Needless to say, Belgrade cannot be imagined without this monument. It dates from 1882, and since then the hand of Prince Mihailo Obenović, raised, points to places that were still under Turkish rule. The architect Konstantin Jovanovic and the sculptor Enrico Pazzi are responsible for the creation of this work. It is interesting that the depiction of the horse itself was made according to the image of Prince Mihailo's horse, Vranac. The pedestal on which the monument was erected contains the names of the liberated cities at that time.

What to see around Republic Square?

National Theatre
The National Museum
Boško Buha Theater
Printing House
Belgrade Cultural Center
Cafes and restaurants

How to get to Republic Square?
This square is just the core of the city, and even if you get lost, almost every passer-by who knows the city at all will tell you how to get there. And from there it is easier to get everywhere.

Taxi: Pink Taxi - 19803; 0800 11 9803; 065 488 99 77 Safe Tax BG - 060 8801010, Lux Taxi -011 3033 123
City transport: there is a stop Trg republike nearby, where transports 24, 26, 27E, 37, 44, 31, 22A, 29, 40, 41 stop.