St. Mark's Church, Užice

St. Mark's Church is a Serbian Orthodox church building in the Carina district of Užice, distinguished by a wooden bell tower reaching approximately 22 meters high with stone masonry at its base and decorative shingle-shaped eaves between floors. The structure combines these design features to create a recognizable landmark in the local landscape.

The church was first constructed in 1721 and later rebuilt in 1828 during Prince Miloš Obrenović's reign, following the 1718 Treaty of Passarowitz which created conditions for building Orthodox churches in the region. This reconstruction represents an important moment when the community reinforced its religious identity.

The church houses a collection of religious icons, including works by Serbian artist Simeon Lazović dating from the 16th century. These artworks are woven into the daily prayer life of the community and show how artistic expression connects with spiritual practice.

The church is located at 41 Nikole Pašića Street in the Rakijska Pijaca neighborhood and underwent thorough restoration from 2004 to 2006 with modern underfloor heating now installed. Visitors can reach it easily on foot and should know this is an active place of worship where respectful behavior is expected.

The structure displays an unusual blend of Islamic decorative elements with Serbian Orthodox architecture, a rare feature that emerged from centuries of life under Ottoman rule in the region. This architectural fusion allows visitors to read the region's complex history directly in the building's design.