Let's meet at...?!

“Let’s meet near “horse” or near “clock” at Trg Republike (Republic Square), what you think? Let’s meet in front of Doma Omladine (House of Youngsters)?! Ok see you at Terazije fountain near Hotel “Moskva”?!"

Probably when you start whit going out and meeting whit your Serbian friends, these are words you will first hear. Like in all cities around the world, Belgrade also has typical places for meeting youngsters and the all generations. Why these 3 places?! For sure they are all in the full center of the city, but that is not only reason for meeting people exactly there. All of these three central places have some story from the past, which all citizen respect. In this part I will meet you whit them... All I ask you is to enjoy in new tour!

- Republic Square is the central city square in heart of Belgrade. It covers the space between the “City cafe”, cinema “Jadran”, the National Theater and the House of the Army of Serbia. The present square was formed after the demolition of Stambol gates in 1866 year and raising the building of the Theater in 1869. Gate, built by the Austrians in early 18^th century, located between the monument to Prince Mihailo and the National Theater was the largest and most beautiful gate in time when the city was surrounded by moat. Through the gate road led to the Constantinople, in which it named. In the nation the gate stay remembered for being the Turks in front of it carried out executions of “poor people”, by impalement on a stake. During the capture of Belgrade in 1806 year, in front of gate was fatally wounded the famous commander of the First Serbian Uprising, Vasa Carapic. In memory, street near this place got his name, and erected the monument.

After taking freedom from the Turks, part where was the Stambol gate stayed without changes for a long time, until 1882 year when is built monument to the Prince Mihailo. This part of Belgrade become one of the most important and famous meeting place. It’s opened a lot of very nice restaurants whit fabulous terraces and whit fountains, there is the ticket spot for the most important events in Belgrade and around, also it’s a bookstore, near is gallery and on the almost top of the building is a video screen whit commercials and information. Couple years ago there is installed a big digital clock and weather control tower, which become recognizing meeting spot on the Republic Square. Monument to the Prince Mihailo is in shape of Prince Mihailo riding his horse, so because of that people usually say in short way “let’s meet to the “horse”, and actually mean on the Prince Mihailo monument.

On the spot of Republic Square, just in front of the monument to the Prince Mihailo, it’s happens the most of events of great importance for the city. Big concerts, New Year event, waiting athletes from the big competitions, Art events – theatre, painting, sculpting, photography, Days of Belgrade are every year on this spot, then also strikes and many other. Here is settled also Bus of Blood Donations, where every individual can whit own will to donate blood. This is an old bus, which can’t be used anymore and some medias organised donations for buying new bus for blood donators while this one is always on Republic Square open from the early morning to the afternoon.

In last years on Republic Square, the program BELEF and the Gallery ULUS at Knez Mihailova, exposed about 1250 figures of terracotta, of which half of them are damaged or completely destroyed after arresting Mr. Karadzic. They were back in gallery but after a while they are again exposed and even today adorn street of Knez Mihailova and Republic Square.

- Dom Omladine (House of Youngsters or more know as Belgrade Youth Cultural Center) is a center that promotes the youth programs in the field of contemporary art and culture. In its range of activities it covers all art forms and disciplines, from the visual arts and new media, through film, theatre and all the music – concerts and events. Dom Omladine have equally important role in program of cultural and of educational – debate programs, which for decades trademark of DOB. Basic principles and criteria in the creation of the program are an innovation and news.

Founded in 1964, situated in the center of city, a few steps from the central town square (Republic Square), DOB (Serbian short-cat for Belgrade Youth Cultural Center – Dom Omladine Beograd) is for a years the cult of youth meeting in Belgrade. Annually, through 1000 different programs, it visited by more than 180000 young people. But young people not necessary meet in DOB, they also meet in front of DOB for going on the other places because is one of the most easy find stops for all youngsters from Belgrade and around.

If during your visit to Belgrade, you don’t visit any of the events in DOB you will miss one of the soul parts from Belgrade. So do not hesitate, find program magazines for DOB or all Belgrade, check it out what’s up and find your favourite ways to have fun.

- Hotel “Moskva” was Palace Rossiya insurance company, but today is a building in Belgrade situated on the corner of King Milan and Balkan Street. Construction of the palace started in the spring 1905^th, and officially was opened in 14^th January 1908. It is the largest private building in the Serbia, located at hundred meters from the Terazie, the central square and and urban neighbourhood of Belgrade. It is located in the Belgrade’s municipality of Stari Grad, and covers the area from the Sremska street through the street of King Milan. Right in front of the hotel is Terazije fountain which was built in 1860 year during the reign of Prince Milos. Terazije fountain was moved couple times until it was not settled in front of Moskva Hotel and become famous meeting spot for youngsters and also for a lot of foreign tourists and business people. Reason is that in the King Milan street nearby are located some of the most important government and business buildings. Beside hotel in Russia whit this name, this is the only one building whit that name on the world.

So let’s meet guys! Where you like the most?! These are definitely not only one plays where people in Belgrade meet each other, but that they are most common that is for sure. And if they want to give you a favour to not get lost somewhere in the city, they will send you on some of those three places. I don’t mind to meet my friends even after 25 years there, and I sure you that you will love it!

Once when we/you meet we/you can make spontaneous plans for evening and night or realise already made plans! I am with my country people there to be the host, and I’m here to give you a tour following your wishes.