Covers the area from Sremska Street to Srpskih vladara Street. Terazije is the most famous
square in Belgrade. It started to take shape as an urban feature in the first half of the
19th century. In the 1840s, Prince Miloš Obrenović ordered Serbian craftsmen, especially
blacksmiths and coppersmiths, to move out of the old moated town where they had been
intermingling with the Turkish inhabitants, and build their houses and shops on the site of
the present-day square. With regard to the origin of the name Terazije, the historian Milan Đ. Milicević (b. Ripanj 1831, d. Belgrade 1908) noted that "In order to supply Belgrade with water, the Turks built towers at intervals along the water supply system
which brought water in from the springs at Mokri Lug. The water was piped up into the
towers for the purpose of increasing the pressure, in order to carry it further." One
such tower was erected on the site of the present drinking-fountain in Terazije and the square was named after it the Turks called their water towers terazije za vodu
(scales for water). Up to about 1865, the buildings on Terazije were mainly single and
double storey ones. The water was removed in 1860 and replaced by the drinking-fountain,
which was erected in memory of Prince Miloš who had died the same year. During the first reconstruction of the square in 1911, the fountain was moved to Topcider; it did not
return to Terazije: until 1976. Terazije acquired its definitive form during its last reconstruction in 1947-48, when its flower beds, fountain and tram-lines were all removed.
Later, in 1971, pedestrian subways were built joining the two sides of the square. In
1976, in the space between the Moskva and Balkan Hotels, the old Terazije fountain was installed. This was originally built in 1860, to commemorate the death of Prince Miloš Obilić: from 1911 to 1976, this fountain, one of Belgrade's most important 19th century
monuments, was located in Topčider Park. Benches have been arranged around it, and it is
now a favourite place of Belgraders to stroll or rest.
Albania Palace Building | The Bajrakli Mosque | Belgrade Palace Building | Belgrade Railway Station | Captain Miša's Building | Cvijeta Zuzorić Art Pavilion | Karađorđeva Street | Knez Mihailova Street | Princess Ljubica's Residence | Millenary Monunemt on Gardoš Hill | Price Miloš's Residence | The National Theatre | Nemanjina Street | Nikola Pašic Square | Republic Square | Skadarlija | Slavija Square | Student Square | The Trade Union Hall | Terazije Square | The '?' Cafe Restaurant | Article about the architecture and building in Belgrade |