B elgrade's oldest pala- tial residence recent- ly opened its doors to all those wanting to see the new permanent ex- hibition and hear the story of the turbulent national history of Serbs from the 19 th century, of their life in the Ottoman Empire, the conflicts of the first and second Serbian up- risings, intrigue, betrayal and victo- ries; about the rule of Prince Miloš, the stateman’s endeavours of Prince Mihailo and his demise, the Serbi- an-Turkish wars and the Berlin Con- gress. It also has reliable documents and photographs testifying to the reigns of kings Milan and Alexan- der, the last rulers of the Obreno- vić dynasty, as well as their tragic fall from power... The Topčider residence was Miloš's favourite Already upon entering the Resi- dence, you will immediately get the impression that you’ve entered a time machine leading to the time when Miloš decided, after Serbia gained autonomy within the Ot- toman Empire, to erect one of his most important palaces on the pe- riphery of Belgrade, where the Turk- ish flag still flew. “The Residence of Prince Mi- loš was one of four of his Belgrade courts. Erected largely in 1831, cer- tain works, mainly on decoration, extended until 1834. It was part of a court that included the court chapel of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and numerous auxiliary buildings. The Topčider residence lat- er became Miloš's favourite among all his Belgrade courts. It was from there that he prepared for his trav- els, performed his ruling duties and received MPs, diplomats, elders and other distinguished guests,” explains our host Boris Marković, curator of the Residence of Prince Milos. Beauty of the Divanhana Tekst/Words: Violeta Nedeljković Fotografije/Photography: Đorđe Kojadinović
RESIDENCE OF PRINCE MILOŠ Belgrade’s oldest palace
In Belgrade’s Topčider Park near Košutnjak forest park, in the shade of an enormous plane tree, stands a modest palace with a white façade that was built on this site in 1831 by the founder of the Obrenović dynasty and one of the founding fathers of the modern Serbian state - Prince Miloš
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