Residents of our capital and numerous visitors are witnessing the changes taking place in the very heart of our city. Last year marked the beginning of construction works on redecoration and renovation of the main central square. The Republic Square has always been the meeting point and gathering place and venue for different cultural and community events. The planned changes of the Republic Square were broadly debated. These include removing benches, flower planters and other barriers, laying down stone panels, grass areas and new trees. The initial plan also included relocation of the central monument – the Prince Mihailo Obrenovic Monument, but this idea was obviously given up, so one of the main city symbols will remain in its original place and enrich the central square, making it still one of the most popular gathering points. So, when you say „Let’s meet at the horse monument!”, all Belgrade residents will know immediately what you had in mind.

The monument dedicated to Prince Mihailo Obrenovic is an equestrian figure of a ruler and was erected in 1882. After the public competition, it was decided that the author would be an Italian sculptor Enrico Pazzi. His artistic direction was showing life as it is, with all its glory and despair. A Florence-born Pazzi had become famous for his work on a monument of the Italian writer Dante.

The sculpture of a ruler on a horse was uncommon at the time in Serbia, several years before gaining independence and was the first monumental equestrian statue in our country. Modelled upon the classic Italian sculptural depiction of a ruler on a horse, the monument was made of bronze and consists of three parts. The equestrian figure represents the prince on the horse, whose outstretched arm points to the Serbian towns not yet liberated at the time. The statue of a ruler who is bareheaded caused debates and the issue did not go unnoticed by the public as it was uncommon practice compared to the existing method of depicting a ruler at the time.

Prince Mihailo Obrenović was a son of Prince Milos and Ljubica Obrenovic and came to the throne after the death of his elder brother Milan. He ruled Serbia during two periods. The first time he became prince was in 1839 but was ousted only three years later. His second rule started after the death of Prince Milos in 1860 and lasted until 1868. The second rule of the educated and enlightened Prince Mihailo was marked by mature and active political decisions and immense effort put into internal affairs and wise foreign politics.
Prince Mihailo was assassinated in Kosutnjak area on 29th May 1868. As announced, this important monument and cultural landmark will remain the central point of the Republic Square, and we are expecting to see it in an even better shape and form after the works on the reconstruction of the square are finished, surrounded by the National Theatre and the National Museum.

If you’d like to stay close to the main central square or perhaps from your window overlook the famous prince on the horse and feel the buzzing atmosphere, make sure that before you set out, check out the web site of Novi apartmani, and in the section STRICT CENTER pick an apartment that will suit you best. There’s indeed a lot to choose from.