St. Michael's Cathedral, Belgrade

Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Саборна Црква Св. Архангела Михаила

Saborna Crkva
Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel

Shown within Serbia

44°49′5″N 20°27′7″E / 44.81806°N 20.45194°E
Location Belgrade
Country  Serbia
Denomination Eastern Orthodoxy
Website Saborna Crkva Official website
History
Founded 1837
Founder(s) House of Obrenović
Dedication St. Michael the Archangel
Relics held King Uroš III
Despot Stefan Štiljanović
Prince Miloš I
Prince Mihailo
Prince Milan
Architecture
Status Church
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance
Designated 1979
Architect(s) Adam Friedrich Kwerfeld
Style Neoclassicism with late baroque elements
Completed 1840
Specifications
Number of domes 1

The Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Serbian: Саборна Црква Св. Архангела Михаила, Saborna Crkva Sv. Arhangela Mihaila) is a Serb Orthodox Christian church in the centre of Belgrade, Serbia. It is one of the most important places of worship in the country. It is commonly known as just Saborna crkva (The Cathedral) among the city residents.

History

King Peter I's coronation on 21 September 1904

The cathedral was built from 1837 to 1840 by order of prince Miloš Obrenović, according to the design and plans of Adam Friedrich Kwerfeld, a builder from Pančevo. The church was built in the style of classicism with late baroque elements. The church is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The interior is richly decorated. The gold-plated carved iconostasis was made by the sculptor Dimitrije Petrović, while the icons on the iconostasis, thrones, choirs and pulpits, as well as those on the walls and arches were painted by Dimitrije Avramović, one of the most distinguished Serbian painters of the 19th century.

The special value of the church is its treasury. The relics of Serbian saints emperor Uroš V and despot Stefan Štiljanović, as well as the heads of the Church and Serbian rulers of the Obrenović dynasty (Miloš, Mihailo and Milan).

Patriarchate of the Serbian Orthodox Church

The Cathedral

Today's building of the Patriarchate was built from 1934 until 1935 and designed by the architect Viktor Lukomski. It is located across Saborna Crkva. The building has a square base, it is solid and has monumental forms. On the main facade, against the Cathedral Church, an impressive portico stands out, with low columns and an arched portal above which is a sculpted coat of arms of the Patriarchate of Serbia. On the top of this facade, in a niche, is a mosaic composition representing St. John the Baptist. In the east part of the building, there is a chapel dedicated to St. Simeon. It contains a carved iconostasis, the work of Ohrid masters, bearing icons painted in 1935 by Vladimir Predojević. Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel was declared Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1979, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia.

The Library and Museum of Serbian Orthodox Church are in this building, too.

Attraction

The cathedral is a popular tourist attraction in Belgrade; however, for tourists, it is best to visit the church during weekdays as the church usually holds weddings, baptisms etc. during the weekend.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belgrade Cathedral Church.

References

    Sources

    External links