⛪ Temple of Saint Sava (Belgrade)

About This Sacred Site

The Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade is one of the largest Orthodox church buildings in the world, standing on the Vračar plateau where Ottoman authorities publicly burned the relics of Saint Sava in 1595. Construction began in 1935 but was interrupted by World War II and the communist era; the church was not substantially completed until 2004, with interior decoration continuing into the 2020s. Its massive central dome and gleaming white exterior dominate Belgrade's skyline.

Key Facts

• •One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, with a height of 79 meters to the top of the cross
• •Built on the spot where Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha burned St. Sava's relics in 1595
• •Construction started in 1935 but the interior was not completed until the 2020s
• •The main dome mosaic of the Ascension of Christ covers over 1,200 square meters
• •The crypt church of St. Lazar was decorated by Russian and Serbian artists with gold mosaics

Location

Coordinates: 44.7981, 20.4686