Situated on Southeastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, surrounded by warm seas, Serbia is a country full of historical architecture and natural beauty. Serbia is positioned partially in the Southeast of Europe – on the Balkan Peninsula (75% of the region), and partially in Central Europe – in the Pannonian Basin, (25% of its region), coursing a total area of 88,407 sq. km. The northern part of the Republic consists of plains where Serbia shares borders with Hungary, while the hills and mountains are in the southern part sharing borders with Macedonia and Albania, in the East with Romania and Bulgaria, and the West with Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
Architecture in Serbia
The architecture of Serbia is a rich and diverse field that is deeply rooted in its long and varied history, spanning from the prehistoric era to the present day, blending elements of Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, Ottoman, and Modernist styles of architecture. These different styles are demonstrated in structures of Raška, Serbo-Byzantine with its revival, Morava, Baroque, Classical, and Modern architecture, with major examples in Brutalism and Streamline Modern.
The centuries of turbulent history in Serbia led to regional diversity and favored vernacular structures as one of its key aspects of Architecture. Different areas of the country feature distinct styles of architecture, due to the cultural, geographical, and climatic differences in the country. While this diversity may still be seen in small towns, the destruction of architectural heritage in the larger cities during World War II, and subsequent socialist effect on architecture resulted in a specific blend of architectural styles.
Development of Serbian architecture
During the prehistoric period, Serbian architecture was heavily influenced by the natural environment and by the cultural traditions of the region which is evidenced by the remains of structures such as hillforts, burial mounds, and settlements.
During the classical period, Serbian architecture was represented by monumental buildings such as temples, theatres, and monuments.
In the medieval era, especially in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, the rise of the Serbian Empire led to the development of a unique architectural style, with the construction of churches, monasteries, and fortifications, in Raska, Varda, Morava, Romanesque and gothic style. The renewal of the Raska state is certainly a significant moment for the development of Serbian architecture and art.
As understood, the buildings that were being built during the early period were of a sacral and religious character. The buildings are mostly of smaller dimensions and a primitive technique of construction in crushed stone is used where certain stylistic concepts are highlighted clearly.
Important Religious buildings were built in three styles:
Single-nave churches – Structure with Rectangular base and a tower on the west side (with a wooden structure)
Three-nave basilicas – The structure had a Rectangular base and a wooden tower construction on the west side.
Single-nave churches – Structure with Vaulted construction with or without domes
The “Raska school of Architecture” style had a dominant position in Serbian architecture during the period of the 12th to 13th century. The Raska style of architecture was very original, and the reach of Serbian architecture of that time was reflected in the fact that due to its specificity, it was later recognized as a notable style in sacral architecture, not only in Serbia but also around the world.
During the Ottoman period, the Architecture of Serbia was strongly impacted by the Islamic and Ottoman architectural styles. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Serbian architecture was represented by the development of the Neoclassical style, which became popular with the works of renowned Serbian architects such as Nikola Nestorović and Nikola Krasnov.
Another dominant architectural mode in Serbia was a local historicist style termed Serbo-Byzantine which began in the mid-19th century and lasted until the late 1930s. Its architecture displayed distinct local characteristics that extended from churches to schools and institutions and was later included in all types of buildings. Serbo-Byzantine architecture was not sponsored for its picturesque or romantic qualities but above all for its symbolism, unlike other Romantic-era revivalist movements.
In the modern period, the development of modernist and postmodernist styles, as well as the use of new materials and technologies, characterized the Architecture of Serbia. Serbia has proved a commitment to creative and forward-thinking design that has earned it a reputation as a figurehead in the domain of modern architecture with projects such as the Belgrade Waterfront project and the Ušće Tower in Belgrade.
The architecture in Belgrade and Serbia, its innovative prospect, and applied conceptions in recent times, are hardly comprehended now, even at the regional level. The reason for that certainly is the overall isolation of acknowledging the architectural styles in the 90s and further on. The lack of quality and professional reports and publications, and the literature on Architecture at large contributed to the same. Serbia also faces problems related to freedom of the media, treatment of minorities, etc.
Largely, Serbian architecture is a captivating and complex field that reflects the country’s rich traditional heritage and its furthering commitment to innovation and creativity. Whether exploring the long-lived churches and monasteries of the country or revering the cutting-edge designs of modernist architects, there is something for everyone in the world of Serbian architecture.
References:
Serbian architecture through history Click for Serbia. [online]. Available at: https://clickforserbia.org/serbian-architecture-through-history/ [Accessed 27 February 2024].
A’ Design Award and Competition – Design Encyclopedia – Architecture In Serbia. [online]. Available at: https://competition.adesignaward.com/design-encyclopedia.php?e=189860 [Accessed 27 February 2024].
SAJ – Serbian Architectural Journal. [online]. Available at: https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?query=ISSID%26and%2615774&page=0&sort=8&stype=0&backurl=%2Fissue.aspx%3Fissue%3D15774 [Accessed 27 February 2024].
