St. Mark’s Cathedral
St. Mark’s Church
Located in the Tašmajdan park in Belgrade, St. Mark’s Church is covered with a patterned brick exterior. Built on the site of an older church (1835), the current structure was completed in 1940. The church design is highly reminiscent of the Grančanica monastery. In comparison with other churches of this size, I found St. Mark’s interior to be quite spartan. A huge chandelier dominates the center.
At the south end of the church is a sarcophagus containing the remains of the Serbian emperor Stefan Dušan, while at the opposite end is a white marble crypt containing the remains of Patriarch German Đorić. This large church is home to one of the most valuable collections of Serbian 18th and 19th century icons.
St. Mark’s Church
Built: 1931-1940
Style: Serbo-Byzantine
Location: Belgrade
Notable features: Valuable collection 18th and 19th century icons, huge chandelier
Interior, Saborna Crkva
Other Churches in Serbia
• Manasija, • Studenica, • Žiča, • Mileševa, • Krušedol, • Sremski Karlovci, • Oplenac, • Sirogojno region
St. Mark’s Church
Interior, St. Mark’s Church
Saborna Crkva
Located in the heart of downtown Belgrade, the gold-decorated baroque steeple of Saborna Crkva is a landmark of Belgrade. Built from 1837 to 1840, the church is a mixture of classicism and late baroque styles. Saborna Crkva is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. It’s interior is richly decorated - much more elaborate than any church I’ve seen in Serbia. The altar is particularly impressive and ornate. Some of the most distinguished painters of the 19th century contributed to the interior.
Near the front of the church is a circular carpeted platform. Here the wedding ceremony is performed in which the couple walks in a circle three times, symbolizing the Trinity.
Saborna Crkva has a rich treasury, including the relics of the Serbian saints King Uroš and despot Stefan Stiljanović.
Saborna Crkva
Entryway mosaic, St. Mark’s Church
Domes of St. Mark’s Church
© Melissa Enderle 2007
