Church of Saint Sava
Church of Saint Sava features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Belgrade. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Belgrade Belgrade guide
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About Church of Saint Sava
One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, a colossal white-marble temple on Vračar hill, built where the Ottomans burned Saint Sava's relics, its interior sheathed in dazzling gold mosaic.
The Church of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and Belgrade's most recognisable modern landmark, a vast white-marble temple on the Vračar plateau. It honours Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop and the nation's patron saint, and stands where, by tradition, the Ottomans burned his relics in 1595 in reprisal for a Serb uprising.
Modelled on the Hagia Sophia, it was begun in 1935, halted by war and the communist years, and completed only in recent decades; its 4,000-tonne central dome was built on the ground and lifted into place. The interior, finished in 2020, is covered with some 15,000 square metres of gold mosaic, among the largest such surfaces in the world, with the Ascension of Christ filling the dome.
Did you know? The Church of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world; it honours Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop, and stands where, by tradition, the Ottomans burned his relics in 1595.
How long is a visit to Church of Saint Sava?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Church of Saint Sava. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Church of Saint Sava worth your time?
Church of Saint Sava is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Belgrade, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Belgrade
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Church of Saint Sava and read more:
Day 2 of the Belgrade in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Church of Saint Sava
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