The House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia ( sr, Дом Народне скупштине Републике Србије, Dom Narodne skupštine Republike Srbije) is the seat of the
National Assembly of Serbia
The National Assembly ( sr-cyr, Народна скупштина, Narodna skupština, ) is the unicameral legislature of Serbia. The assembly is composed of 250 deputies who are proportionally elected to four-year terms by secret ballot. T ...
. The building is on
Nikola Pašić Square in downtown
Belgrade
Belgrade ( , ;, ; names in other languages) is the capital and largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. Nearly 1,166,763 mi ...
, and is a
landmark
A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long distances.
In modern use, the term can also be applied to smaller structures or f ...
and
tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement.
Types
Places of natural ...
. Between its completion in 1936 and 2006, it was the seat of the
Parliament of Yugoslavia
The Parliament of Yugoslavia was the legislature of Yugoslavia. Before World War II in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia it was known as the National Assembly (''Narodna skupština''), while in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia the name was c ...
and the
Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro
The Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro ( sr-Cyrl-Latn, Скупштина Србије и Црне Горе, Skupština Srbije i Crne Gore) was the legislative body of Serbia and Montenegro (until 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). The ...
.
History
![Beograd 10038 parl old yugoslavia chamber](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Beograd_10038_parl_old_yugoslavia_chamber.jpg)
King
Peter I Peter I may refer to:
Religious hierarchs
* Saint Peter (c. 1 AD – c. 64–88 AD), a.k.a. Simon Peter, Simeon, or Simon, apostle of Jesus
* Pope Peter I of Alexandria (died 311), revered as a saint
* Peter I of Armenia (died 1058), Catholicos ...
built the House of Representatives of the
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia ( sr-cyr, Краљевина Србија, Kraljevina Srbija) was a country located in the Balkans which was created when the ruler of the Principality of Serbia, Milan I, was proclaimed king in 1882. Since 1817, the Prin ...
near the former location of a large Batal mosque. The first plans for the future House of Representatives were drawn up by architect
Konstantin Jovanović in 1891, that also designed the
National Assembly building of Bulgaria. His plans were slightly revised because of a new state constitution mandating a
bicameral
Bicameralism is a type of legislature, one divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature. Bicameralism is distinguished from unicameralism, in which all members deliberate and vote as a single gr ...
(instead of
unicameral
Unicameralism (from ''uni''- "one" + Latin ''camera'' "chamber") is a type of legislature, which consists of one house or assembly, that legislates and votes as one.
Unicameral legislatures exist when there is no widely perceived need for multi ...
) legislature. Architect
Jovan Ilkić won a 1901 design competition, adhering to Jovanović's basic plan. The
cornerstone
The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Over tim ...
of the House of Representative was laid in a public 1907 ceremony by King Peter I in the presence of other members of the royal family and senior officials. Construction lasted until 1936, interrupted by the
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars refers to a series of two conflicts that took place in the Balkan States in 1912 and 1913. In the First Balkan War, the four Balkan States of Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria declared war upon the Ottoman Empire and def ...
,
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
, and the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
. The first session in the new house took place on 20 October 1936.
The building is designed in
neo-baroque style. Its interior, completed in 1938, was designed by
Russian architect
Nikolai Krasnov. Krasnov designed every detail: chandeliers, lamps, handles, windows, and furniture. His plans were painted in watercolor, rather than a classical
technical drawing
Technical drawing, drafting or drawing, is the act and discipline of composing drawings that visually communicate how something functions or is constructed.
Technical drawing is essential for communicating ideas in industry and engineering ...
with pencil and ruler. Lawmakers did not have long to enjoy the newly built House of Representatives. After the 1941
invasion of Yugoslavia
The invasion of Yugoslavia, also known as the April War or Operation 25, or ''Projekt 25'' was a German-led attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers which began on 6 April 1941 during World War II. The order for the invasion was ...
and during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, the House of Representatives housed the
German high command for southeastern Europe. The building was damaged during the
demonstrations
Demonstration may refer to:
* Demonstration (acting), part of the Brechtian approach to acting
* Demonstration (military), an attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought
* Demonstration (political), a political rally or prote ...
on 5 October 2000, and appears on the
RSD5,000 banknote. The parliament building was featured in the 2011 film, ''
Coriolanus
''Coriolanus'' ( or ) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Shakespeare worked on it during the same yea ...
''.
Exterior
The house was originally designed by architect
Konstantin Jovanović in 1891, but financial constraints prevented its construction at the time. A new design was proposed by
Jovan Ilkić in 1901 after a constitutional amendment and the creation of a bicameral parliament.
Following the formation of the
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
Kingdom commonly refers to:
* A monarchy ruled by a king or queen
* Kingdom (biology), a category in biological taxonomy
Kingdom may also refer to:
Arts and media Television
* ''Kingdom'' (British TV series), a 2007 British television drama s ...
in 1918, the parliament was increased and the original design (under construction) deemed inadequate. A modified design was made by Ilkić's son, Pavle, in 1920 and construction resumed until its completion in 1936.
A sculpture by
Toma Rosandić
Toma Rosandić ( sr-cyr, Тома Росандић; baptized as Tomaso Vincenzo, 22 January 1878 – 1 March 1958) was a Serbian and Yugoslav sculptor, architect and fine arts pedagog. Together with Ivan Meštrović (1883–1962), he was the most ...
, ''Igrali se konji vrani'' (''Play by Black Horses''), was installed in front of the building in 1939.
Interior
The building's interior was designed by architect
Nikolai Krasnov in
academic traditional style. Covering about , it has four storeys: a basement, ground floor, first floor, and attic, with mezzanines below the basement, between the basement and the ground floor and between the ground and first floors. The building has 100 offices, large and small halls, and four committee rooms. The library, on the first floor, contains over 60,000 books.
[ The building is decorated with 23 ]fresco
Fresco (plural ''frescos'' or ''frescoes'') is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plast ...
es and a number of paintings, sculptures, and other fine artwork.
During the 5 October riots in 2000, 91 pieces of art were stolen from the National Assembly. Thirty-five have been found, but 56 remain missing. The building itself was also damaged.
Construction
Construction began on 27 August 1907, when the building's cornerstone was laid in the presence of Peter I of Serbia
Peter I ( sr-Cyr, Петар I Карађорђевић, Petar I Кarađorđević; – 16 August 1921) was the last king of Serbia, reigning from 15 June 1903 to 1 December 1918. On 1 December 1918, he became the first king of the Serbs, ...
, George, Crown Prince of Serbia, members of parliament and the diplomatic corps. Its charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified. It is implicit that the granter retains superiority (or sovereignty), and that the re ...
, sealed in the cornerstone during the ceremony, bore the names of the king, the metropolitan
Metropolitan may refer to:
* Metropolitan area, a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories
* Metropolitan borough, a form of local government district in England
* Metropolitan county, a typ ...
, and chief architect Jovan Ilkić. Construction was overseen by Belgrade contractor Vasa Tešić. It was delayed until the end of World War I, with only the first floor completed. Construction was influenced by the formation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia ( sh-Latn-Cyrl, separator=" / ", Kraljevina Jugoslavija, Краљевина Југославија; sl, Kraljevina Jugoslavija) was a state in Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 191 ...
, which required the project to be modified. After Ilkić's death in 1917 his son, Ministry of Construction architect Pavle Ilkić, led the project. His duties included making the required changes and completing the original design. Construction continued from 1920 to 1926, when it was again suspended. A decision about the next phase was made after the death of Alexander I of Yugoslavia
Alexander I ( sr-Cyrl, Александар I Карађорђевић, Aleksandar I Karađorđević, ) ( – 9 October 1934), also known as Alexander the Unifier, was the prince regent of the Kingdom of Serbia from 1914 and later the King of Yu ...
in 1934, when the contractor became Ministry of Construction chief architect Nikolaj Krasnov (1864–1939).[''А. Кадијевић'', Естетика архитектуре академизма ''XIX-XX век, Београд 2005. Политика online, Belgrade from the Russian perspective'', ''accessed on 11.10.2013''. http://www.politika.rs/rubrike/Magazin/Beograd-iz-ruskog-ugla.lt.html ''Вечерње новости online, The influence of Russian architects in Belgrade, accessed on 11.10.2013.'' http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/kultura.71.html:351235-Uticaj-ruskih-arhitekata-u-Beogradu ''С. Г. Богуновић'', Архитектонска енциклопедија Београда ''XIX и XX века, архитекти, том II, Београд 2005.'' ] Krasnov's thirty years of experience in public-building design (giving him the titles of Architect of the Russian Imperial Court and "the academician of architecture") led to his invitation to work on important buildings in the Serbian capital, and he provided details of the interior. The National Assembly was dedicated on 18 October 1936 in the presence of Peter II of Yugoslavia
Peter II ( sr-Cyrl, Петар II Карађорђевић, Petar II Karađorđević; 6 September 1923 – 3 November 1970) was the last king of Yugoslavia, reigning from October 1934 until his deposition in November 1945. He was the last ...
, after 29 years of construction. The first governmental session was held two days later, and by the end of the year the building was fully completed.
Architecture
The building's central risalit is dominated by a portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cul ...
with a triangular tympanum, above which is a dome with a lantern at the top. Its external design (with rustic green stone from Ripanj for the basement), and the shape of windows and pilaster
In classical architecture, a pilaster is an architectural element used to give the appearance of a supporting column and to articulate an extent of wall, with only an ornamental function. It consists of a flat surface raised from the main wal ...
s extending through the two central levels and ending in a roof cornice
In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian ''cornice'' meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, around the top edge of a ...
with balustrade
A baluster is an upright support, often a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its c ...
, indicate neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival architecture (sometimes referred to as "Neo-Renaissance") is a group of 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Greek Revival nor Gothic Revival but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range ...
and neo-Baroque models. The original design's heraldic and sculptural decorations were not executed. The only plastic
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adapta ...
ornaments are medallions with images of Pericles
Pericles (; grc-gre, Περικλῆς; c. 495 – 429 BC) was a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Pelo ...
, Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of v ...
, Demosthenes
Demosthenes (; el, Δημοσθένης, translit=Dēmosthénēs; ; 384 – 12 October 322 BC) was a Greek statesman and orator in ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual pr ...
and Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the esta ...
, by sculptor Đorđe Jovanović, on the lateral risalits. A sculpture above the portals of an angel with a torch and an olive branch was designed by sculptor Petar Palavičini. A 1937 fence with decorative candelabras and two guardrooms with stylized lanterns on top was designed by Krasnov; the fence stood until 1956, when it was removed for Marx and Engels Square (now Nikola Pašić Square). In 1939 a sculptural group by Toma Rosandić
Toma Rosandić ( sr-cyr, Тома Росандић; baptized as Tomaso Vincenzo, 22 January 1878 – 1 March 1958) was a Serbian and Yugoslav sculptor, architect and fine arts pedagog. Together with Ivan Meštrović (1883–1962), he was the most ...
, ''Black Horses Playing'', was installed near the steps.
Interior design includes large and small halls and conference rooms, a central vestibule
Vestibule or Vestibulum can have the following meanings, each primarily based upon a common origin, from early 17th century French, derived from Latin ''vestibulum, -i n.'' "entrance court".
Anatomy
In general, vestibule is a small space or cavity ...
topped by a dome, polychrome
Polychrome is the "practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." The term is used to refer to certain styles of architecture, pottery or sculpture in multiple colors.
Ancient Egypt
Colossal statu ...
walls with columns, pilasters, niches and loggia
In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior gallery or corridor, usually on an upper level, but sometimes on the ground level of a building. The outer wall is open to the elements, usually supported by a series of columns ...
s and a marble floor. The Assembly Hall, designed to hold 200 people, was expanded to accommodate 400.
Krasnov's furniture designs reflect contemporary Belgrade tastes. The walls of the Assembly are adorned with twenty frescoes, made during 1937 by prominent Yugoslav artists. Because of its architectural, cultural, historical and artistic value, the National Assembly Building was declared a cultural monument
A national heritage site is a heritage site having a value that has been registered by a governmental agency as being of national importance to the cultural heritage or history of that country. Usually such sites are listed in a heritage regist ...
in 1984.
Former building
Before 2006, the National Assembly of Serbia met in another parliament building on Kralja Milana Street while its current building was used by the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia. The parliament building is still used by the national assembly for offices and administration.
The design for this building was completed in 1948, and its construction was completed in late 1953. It was designed by architect E. Azriel and built by the Construction Institute of Serbia. The building was known as the Office Building of the Presidency of the Government of the People's Republic of Serbia
, life_span = 1944–1992
, status = Constituent state of Yugoslavia
, p1 = Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia
, flag_p1 = Flag of German Reich (1935–1945).svg
, p2 ...
at Marshal Tito
Josip Broz ( sh-Cyrl, Јосип Броз, ; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito (; sh-Cyrl, Тито, links=no, ), was a Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman, serving in various positions from 1943 until his death ...
Street (later renamed Kralja Milana Street). The first National Assembly session in the building was held on 20 March 1954; from 1945 to 1954, National Assembly sessions were held at the House of the National Assembly on Nikola Pašić Square.[National Assembly of Serbia]
Informer
(This text is in public domain as the official material of the Republic of Serbia state body or a body performing public functions, under the terms of Article 6, Paragraph 2 of Serbian copyright law)
Gallery
File:Skupstina 1900.jpg, alt=Black-and-white photo, During construction
File:Zvezna ljudska skupščina v Beogradu 1958.jpg, alt=Man speaking to the Yugoslav Federal Assembly, 1958 session of the Yugoslav Federal Assembly
File:Skupstina srbije posle renoviranja.jpg, alt=Front of the building under a blue sky, Main façade
A façade () (also written facade) is generally the front part or exterior of a building. It is a Loanword, loan word from the French language, French (), which means 'frontage' or 'face'.
In architecture, the façade of a building is often t ...
File:National Serbian assambly Belgrade.JPG, alt=The building, decoratively lit, At night
File:House of the National Assembly of Serbia 001.jpg, alt=Parade past the building, Ceremony
File:Skupstina.JPG, alt=Portico and horse statue, photographed from below, Detail
File:Kupola zgrade Narodne skupštine.JPG, alt=The dome, framed by trees, Dome
A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a m ...
File:Зграда Народне скупштине, композиција "Играли се коњи врани".JPG, alt=Horse statues covered by snow, ''Black Horses Playing'' in winter
File:Зграда Народне скупштине, детаљ куполе.JPG, alt=Close-up of the dome, Dome detail
File:Зграда Народне скупштине, 4.JPG, alt=The dome and facade, lit, At dusk
File:Kocel.jpg, alt=Statue of a man holding a sword and a book, Statue of Prince Kocel
Kocelj ( 861–874) was a ruler of the Slavs in Lower Pannonia. He was an East Frankish vassal titled ''comes'' (count), and is believed to have ruled between 861 or 864 and 876.
Life
Kocelj was the second son of Pribina, a Slavic ''dux'' install ...
, by T. Kos
File:Dom Narodne skupštine 4.jpg, alt=Mural of peasants working, 1937 fresco
Fresco (plural ''frescos'' or ''frescoes'') is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plast ...
by Mate Menegalo Rodic
References
External links
*
Virtual tour
The National Assembly Artwork
{{Coord, 44, 48, 40.68, N, 20, 27, 56.88, E, region:RS_type:landmark, display=title
1936 establishments in Yugoslavia
Buildings and structures completed in 1936
Buildings and structures in Belgrade
Legislative buildings in Europe
Seats of national legislatures