Church of Saint Sava, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Vračar, Serbia
The Church of Saint Sava is a Byzantine-style cathedral in Belgrade that rises 77 meters (253 feet) high and carries five domes arranged in a Greek cross. Marble covers the outer walls, while the interior displays gold and carved stonework that surrounds the altar area and galleries.
Construction began in 1935 under architect Aleksandar Deroko, but World War II halted work when German forces turned the unfinished building into a military depot. After decades of slow progress, the central dome was raised in 1989, and interior decoration continues to this day.
The name honors the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose relics rest here at the site where Ottoman rulers once carried out public executions. Believers come to pray before gilded mosaics depicting biblical scenes that fill the interior with warm light.
The building stands on a hill in the Vračar district and can be seen from many parts of the city, making it easy to find. Visitors may enter the interior outside of services, with modest clothing and quiet conversation expected.
The central dome, weighing 4,000 tons, was lifted into place over twenty days in June 1989 using a special hydraulic system. This engineering achievement allowed the weight to be distributed evenly without damaging the underlying masonry.
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