Thanks to the kind invitation of the magazine’s editor, Žaklina Milenković, I had the honour and pleasure to join this inspiring journey through time. We remembered the wonderful women who marked our history.

The Women’s Walk in Belgrade

During our Women’s walk named “The women are the whole world“, we had the opportunity to visit places connected with four famous Serbian women, such as Milica Babić, Mira Trailović, Nadežda Petrović and Princess Ljubica.

Tourist guide Snežana Kusovac led us through the city, reminding us also of other famous women, such as Queen Marija Karađorđević and journalist Maga Magazinović.

Milica Babić, the first female costume designer in Serbia

Our meeting started with a tour of the Ivo Andrić Museum located in his former apartment, where he lived with his wife, Milica Babić.

Milica was born in 1909 in Bosanski Samac (a former part of Austria-Hungary, today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina) in a merchant family. From an early age, she had a talent for painting, which she inherited from her mother. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, but during her last year of studies, she opted for theatre and fashion costume. Several drawings by Milica can be seen in the museum.

Costumes by Milica Babić

From 1931 to 1964, with the pauses, she worked at the National Theatre as the first trained costume designer, and she also made masks and wigs. During that time, she designed costumes for over 300 drama, opera and ballet performances. She also taught at the Acting School of the Belgrade National Theatre from 1934. During her artistic training in Berlin from June 1939 to May 1941, she worked as a fashion correspondent for the “Politika” newspaper.

After World War II, she was a professor of costume design at the Academy of Applied Arts and the Theatre Academy in Belgrade. She collaborated with many theatres. For her work, she was awarded the Order of Labour with a Golden Wreath (1949), the “Sterija Award for Costume” (1956) and the plaque of the City of Belgrade (1964).

Milica was also a member of the Council of the Museum of Applied Arts in Belgrade for many years. She published expert articles on fashion, folk crafts and theatre costumes.

Milica Babić

Interestingly, she created a diplomatic suit for Ivo Andrić in Berlin in 1939. She wanted to incorporate national motifs into his suit, on the buttons and hat, while the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was on the sword.

She also created the suit that he wore at the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961 in Stockholm, which was the crown of his creativity.

Diplomatic suit and the suit created for the Nobel Prize of Ivo Andrić

The love story of Milica and Ivo Andrić

By the way, Milica and Ivo were friends for decades, and Ivo waited for his great love for twenty years. It is believed that she inspired him for the famous story “Jelena, the missing woman”.

They got married in 1958, a year after the death of her first husband, Nenad Jovanović, a diplomat and translator. Milica was then 48 years old, and Ivo was 66 years old. They lived happily in Belgrade and in their house in Herceg Novi (today’s Montenegro), until she passed away in 1968. Milica was buried in the Alley of Distinguished Citizens at the New Cemetery in Belgrade, and seven years later, Ivo’s urn was also laid there.

Portraits of Milica Babić and Ivo Andrić

The museum contains its original furniture, which Milica carefully selected, as well as personal items, original manuscripts of Andrić’s works, letters, photographs, Ivo’s Nobel Prize, portraits, and books.

Inside the Museum of Ivo Andrić

Location: Ivo Andrić Museum, Andrićev venac, 8, next to Pioneer Park.
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10 AM-5 PM, Friday: 10 AM-6 PM, Sunday: 10 AM-2 PM, closed on Mondays.

Mira Trailović, theatre director and dramaturg

The Women’s Walk continued with a visit to the “Atelje 212” theatre. Actor Svetozar Cvetković welcomed us and talked about Mira Trailović, the Serbian and Yugoslav theatre director and dramaturg.

Atelje 212, Svetozar Cvetković and visitors of the Women’s Walk in Belgrade, photo by Matija Popović

Mira was born in Kraljevo on the 24th January, in 1924, in the distinguished family of Andrej and Radmila Milićević, professors of the French language. It is interesting that Mira’s grandmother, Katarina, was a court lady of Queen Natalija Obrenović, and her maternal ancestor was the famous constitutional defender Aleksa Simić.

First, Mira worked as an announcer, director and editor of the drama program at Radio Belgrade from 1944. In the Union of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (SKOJ), to which she was never accepted, she met Dragoljub Guca Trailović, then an announcer and later a correspondent for “Politika” from Paris. They got married in 1949.

She graduated from the Music Academy, spoke several foreign languages, and began to study technology, architecture, and art history. But, in the end, she followed her heart and found her place in the theatre… She graduated in directing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, where she worked as a professor of radio directing for several years.

Mira Trailović, Photo: Archive of Atelje 212, Belgrade

Founding the theatre of “Atelje 212”

Thanks to her great strength and persistence, the theatre “Atelje 212” was created. More precisely, the occasion was the play “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett, which was banned in the Belgrade Drama Theatre in the 1950s. In the bohemian tavern “Three Hats”, Mira proposed something unexpected to her colleagues: to found a new and modern theatre.

In the hall of the former newspaper house “Borba”, in cooperation with Jovan Ćirilov and Radoš Novaković, the avant-garde theatre “Atelje 212” was created. It got its name because of the 212 chairs situated in the hall at the time. The first play, “Faust”, was performed on the 12th of November in 1956, under her direction, in front of distinguished guests and Jovanka Broz.

After some time, her collaborators, Radoš Marković and Bojan Stupica, came up with the idea of ​​building a theatre in another place, i.e. in the former  Ivo Lola Ribara street, where Atelje 212 is located today. Mira collected all the permits, and the theatre was opened with the play “Waiting for Godot”, which has been performed there in the following years.

Mira Trailović, photo from Wikipedia

Performances at “Atelier 212”

After returning from a trip to New York, she came up with the idea to prepare the famous theatre play “Hair in 1969. She literally transferred everything she saw there to Belgrade and created a show that at the time caused people to run away from school, which sounds impossible today

For more than two decades, Mira led this theatre, putting on the stage numerous and controversial plays that pushed the boundaries of freedom at that time. She directed more than 30 important plays, and over time, “Atelje 212” became known worldwide.

By the decision of the former regime, she had to leave her position of theatre manager after three terms. It was a very hard decision for Mira, which also affected her health. She was succeeded by her collaborator and right-hand man, director Ljubomir Muci Draškić.

Several plays in Atelje 212, including the legendary “Hair” (Kosa) from 1969

Establishment of the BITEF festival and theatre

However, Mira does not give up her love for the theatre. Together with Jovan Ćirilov, in 1967, she founded BITEF, the Belgrade International Theatre Festival. It has become one of the most important cultural events, and it has gathered famous theatre names from all over the world for years.

The Bitef Theatre was opened on the 3rd of September in 1989. It is located in the reconstructed German Evangelical Church built in 1940, next to the Bajloni market. It is organised like modern European theatres, in which actors, writers, directors and other artists are engaged in specific projects.

Mira, “Bulldozer in a fur coat”

Thanks to her charm and persistence, Mira managed to realise her ideas and projects. She was not overly strict, but she loved success and had a great relationship with actors and collaborators. She is the winner of numerous awards. Known for her refined style and smile, she attracted attention everywhere. The French media affectionately called her “Bulldozer in a fur coat”.

Mira dedicated her whole life to the theatre, which was her “child”. Separation from it led her to illness and made her, in a way, give up on life. She died on the 7th August in 1989, and was buried at the New Cemetery in Belgrade.

Today, next to the Bitef Theatre and Bajloni Market, there is a square named after her, as well as the Big Stage of “Atelje 212”.

She was a beautiful and extraordinary woman.
And as Svetozar Cvetković says, “She not only created a new theatre, but a completely different view of the world.”

Nadežda Petrović, painter, photographer and nurse

At the Nadežda and Rastko Petrović Memorial Museum, we learned about the life of the famous painter, Nadežda Petrović, who brought modern European painting to Serbian society.

The museum is located in the family house of their sister Ljubica, built in 1935 in the Professor’s Colony. She bequeathed her house to the National Museum with the wish that it become a home for the memory of Nadežda and Rastko. The museum was opened in 1977, closed in 1986 due to unfavourable conditions, and reopened in May 2025.

Petrović family

On the ground floor of the museum, there are rooms dedicated to Rastko and Nadežda. On the first floor, there are two rooms dedicated to the Petrović family, where various workshops and literary evenings are held today.

The entire space of the museum exudes a homely atmosphere, where you can see their family photos, letters, personal items, drawings, manuscripts, Rastko’s gramophone records, his library and a collection of African items from his travels, as well as Nadežda’s flask.

Private things of Rastko, and Nadežda flask

Nadežda’s life

Nadežda was born in Čačak in 1873 and moved with her family to Belgrade in 1884. Her parents were educated and advocated for the revival of Serbia and better living conditions. Her father, Dimitrije, was a drawing teacher at the gymnasium, where he met Mileva, a history and literature teacher, which was very rare at the time. Intellectuals gathered in their house and nurtured various types of art. There were 13 children in the family, and Nadežda was 25 years older than the youngest, Rastko, a famous writer, painter and diplomat.

Nadežda graduated from the Women’s High School. At the same time, she attended private drawing lessons with the famous realist painter Đorđe Krstić. Then, she began her education in Munich in 1898, in the studio of the Slovenian Anton Ažbe, and later continued at the school of the Impressionist Julius Ekster.

She was involved in the founding of the first artistic association of Serbian fine artists, “Lada” in 1904, which was named after the ancient Slavic goddess of summer, love and beauty. She also participated in the formation of the First Yugoslav Art Colony in Sićevo (Pirot) in 1905, which still exists today.

At the beginning, Nadežda was often criticised for her paintings, which were oriented towards the contemporary trends of European art. However, she always had the support of her parents. And, she said that everyone who brings something new is criticised, but you should be yourself and fulfil your mission.

Famous paintings of Nadežda Petrović

Famous paintings by Nadežda Petrović

She found inspiration in Serbian landscapes and costumes. Nadežda is the author of almost three hundred oil on canvas, watercolors and drawings. Among them, the most represented are portraits and landscapes. Her most famous paintings are: “Košutnjak” (1904), “Resnik”, “Self-Portrait”, “Dereglije na Sava” (1907), “Bavarian with a Hat” (1900), “The Market” (Skopje, 1914), “Kosovo Peonies”, “Prizrenka (Gypsy Woman)”, “Old Fountain in Prizren”.

She brought expressionism from Paris, and under this influence, the paintings “Dancer” (1910, dedicated to the dancer Alan Maud), “Bologna Forest” and “Church of the Virgin” were created. There are 30 of Nadežda’s paintings in the legacy, and five of them are currently on display, showing the different styles she used.

She was also the first female art critic alongside Branko Popović, and one of the first women war photographers in the Balkans during the Balkan and First World Wars. In the museum, you can see several of her wartime photographs. The Kingdom of Serbia awarded her the Order of Saint Sava, the Order of the Red Cross and the Medal for Courage.

With its specific style, bright colours, elements of Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Impressionism and Fauvism in paintings. Nadežda was ahead of the artists of that time. Art critics rank her paintings among the best works of domestic fine art.

Famous Serbian painter, Nadežda Petrović

Fighter for women’s rights

Nadežda was also known as a great fighter for women’s rights. She even broke off the engagement, which was a big scandal at the time. And she did not agree with giving a dowry along with the bride! Nadežda told her mother that “everyone can be a married woman, but not everyone can be a painter”.

Known as a great humanitarian and activist, she was one of the founders of Kolo srpskih sestara (the Circle of Serbian Sisters), founded in 1903. Also, she was a nurse during the Balkan Wars and the First World War. This brave woman carried painting tools and ammunition together in her bag.

Although she did not have to respond to the nurse’s call again, she went to the hospital in Valjevo and cared for patients infected with typhus. However, she also fell ill and died on the 3rd of April in 1915 in Valjevo, at the age of 42.
Her remains were transferred from the cemetery in Valjevo to Belgrade’s New Cemetery in June 1935, where the bones of her brother, Rastka, were later transferred.

In Pionirski Park, in 1989, a marble monument dedicated to Nadežda, the work of sculptor Angelina Gatalica, was erected. Since 2005, Nadežda’s image has also appeared on the 200 dinars paper banknote.

Location: Nadežda and Rastka Petrović Memorial Museum, Ljubomira Stojanovića, 25.
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday 10 AM-6 PM, Thursday and Saturday 12 PM-8 PM, closed on Mondays.

Princess Ljubica, the first lady of modern Serbia

“The Women’s Walk in Belgrade” finished at the Princess Ljubica’s Residence, where we heard the story of Princess Ljubica, the wife of Prince Miloš Obrenović.

Princess Ljubica Residence

Ljubica was born around 1785, and she came from a respectable and wealthy Vukomanović family. She married Miloš in the spring of 1804, and their godfather was Karađorđe, for whose death Miloš was responsible in 1817.

Ljubica and Prince Miloš had two daughters, Petrija and Savka, and two sons who became Serbian princes: Milan (ruled 1839) and Mihailo (ruled 1839–1842 and 1860–1868); several of their children died prematurely.

Portraits: Prince Miloš (left), Princess Ljubica with her eldest son, Milan (middle), Prince Mihajlo (right)

The princess’s life was not easy, but still, she was a symbol of strength and struggle during the Serbian uprisings. It was the time when women lived in the shadow of their husbands. Although illiterate, she was wise, hardworking and fearless. She took care of the property, the state treasury, and she did not hide with her children during various conflicts. She was loved, respected, and gained a great reputation among the people.

By the way, Ljubica did not have a good relationship with Miloš, and they did not agree on political issues either. Their marriage was additionally complicated by Miloš’s numerous love adventures, which she could hardly bear. In a moment of humiliation and jealousy, Ljubica killed one of his lovers, Petrija, and her pregnancy saved her from the death penalty. After that, they started living separately, and her residence was today’s Konak.

Residence of the Princess Ljubica

After several centuries, the Konak residence became the first official palace and the most representative building in Belgrade at that time. It was built from 1829 to 1830, according to the ideas and supervision of Hadži-Nikola Živković, the first architect in restored Serbia.

Princess Ljubica welcomed important guests here, and Prince Miloš also received foreign officials, although he spent most of his time in his Topčider residence.

Divanhane room (conversation room), the Princess Ljubica Residence

Konak is a combination of three styles: Balkan, Turkish and Biedermeier (Central European architecture).

Inside the Princess Ljubica Residence

Ljubica lived there until 1842, when she had to leave it due to the political situation in Serbia, i.e., when the constitutional defenders and political opponents of Prince Miloš expelled her and Prince Mihajlo. Since then, the building has not been used as a residence, but as the seat of various state institutions, and a part of the Belgrade City Museum since 1980.

Princess Ljubica died in 1843 in Novi Sad, and she was buried in the Krušedol Monastery on Fruška Gora. Known as the Great Lady, she was and remains an important figure in Serbian history during the first half of the 19th century.

Location: Kneza Sime Markovića 8.
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday 10 AM-6 PM, Thursday and Saturday 12 PM-8 PM, closed on Mondays.

You can find out more about the history of the Obrenović and Karađorđević royal families in the text:
Exhibition of Serbian Royal Portraits.

Read more about the Krušedol monastery in Fruška Gora in the text:
 Monasteries of Fruška Gora.

The Women’s Walk in Belgrade

After the Women’s Walk, the gathering continued with coffee, conversation and the sounds of pianist Nikola Ljubenović’s piano in the pleasant atmosphere of Princess Ljubica’s Residence.

“In our busy time, it is a real privilege to find a moment when we can stop and remember the lives of our famous women whose achievements and kindness left a mark in time and on our souls. I believe that in our next gatherings we will have the opportunity to remember all the Serbian poets, writers, and artists who still inspire many of us,” said Žaklina Milenković, editor-in-chief of “Lepa & Srećna” magazine.

Belgrade, Princess Ljubice Residency, Women’s Walk, 26.0.3.2026, photo by Matija Popović

The Women’s Walk was attended by a group of famous women, such as Dr Marija Zdravković (cardiologist, director of KBC Bežanijska kosa), Dragana Radaković (opera diva), Katarina Gromilić (ballerina), Marina Ćosić (actress), Mirjana Popović (protocol advisor), Tina Grabež (influencer)…

Friends of the event were Grand coffee and Kärcher.
Usually, we start our day with good, fragrant coffee. The coffee is also a favourite occasion for conversation and everyday small pleasures that make life more beautiful. On the other hand, it is important to have enough time for our loved ones and friends, which Kärcher’s efficient solutions for maintaining hygiene in homes and business premises can help us with.

I really enjoyed this Women’s Walk in Belgrade and the stories about the famous women of Serbia. They had a great influence on social and political events, each in their own environment. And all of them were ahead of the time in which they lived, as a symbol of strength, persistence and energy that move and inspire even today.

Because… Women are the whole world

It is one of the most important events of its kind in the region. More than 350 exhibitors from 18 countries presented their destinations and offers. At the same time, the 21st HORECA-OPREMA international hotel and catering equipment fair was held under the slogan “Serve yourself” in the Halls 2A and 2C.

This year, more than 30,000 visitors came to the Tourism Fair to find ideas and book their next trip. Also, the fair is a key business platform for networking, with more than 2,000 B2B meetings held during the fair days.

The 47th International Tourism Fair, 2026, Belgrade

Exhibitors of the Tourism Fair

Exhibitors from 18 countries took part in the Tourism Fair. National and regional tourist organisations, travel agencies, associations, hotels, airlines, and tour operators presented their tourism offers in Halls 1, 1A and Hall 4.

The favourite destinations at the Tourism Fair for years are: Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Montenegro, Tunisia, Egypt, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Hungary.

So, visitors could choose between family trips, city breaks, arrangements for young people, spa and wellness centres, cruises, mountain vacations, congress trips, accommodation facilities, tourist regions, and exotic destinations. The fair atmosphere was spiced with live music and dance performances at stands, as well as various interactive and educational workshops.

The discounts ranged from 10% to 60%, depending on destinations, the payment conditions, and the time of year. By the way, most agencies offer fair discounts on their websites even until the end of February.
Also, the numerous agencies that were not present at the fair offered special discounts on their websites or in their offices.

In my opinion, prices were a little higher than last year. 

Cyprus, the official partner

The official partner country of the Tourism Fair was the Republic of Cyprus.

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade, Cyprus

For years, Cyprus has been one of the most popular destinations worldwide. It is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, especially in Ayia Napa and Protaras regions, and its crystal-clear water. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, this island country has more than 300 sunny days.

Besides the sea, visitors can enjoy hiking, visiting archaeological sites and authentic villages in the heart of the island. And of course, delicious food and wine tours are a perfect part of the year-round tourism.

Popular destinations

Traditionally, the most popular summer destination for Serbian tourists is Greece. 

Stand of Greece, 47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade

This year’s focus was on the Ionian Islands (Lefkada), Volos, Pelion, Thessaloniki, Thessaly and Peloponnese.
Also, Air Serbia introduced a direct route to the stunning island of Santorini this summer.

Greek destinations

Montenegro is another popular destination that attracts visitors mostly from the region, but also from Europe. Tourist boards presented Montenegrin cities: Budva, Bar, Tivat, Ulcinj, and Nikšić, as the European Capital of Culture 2030.

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade, Montenegro

An interesting offer of the cantons of Bosnia and Herzegovina also attracted the visitors’ attention. Besides Sarajevo, Mostar, and Neum, Trebinje is one of the most popular towns, known for its old centre, the Monastery of Tvrdoš and Hercegovačka Gračanica, music and cultural festivals.
You can read more about Trebinje and the Wine Fest (this year it will be held on the 2nd of May) here:
Trebinje, the town of sun and plane trees.

Herzegovina canton at the 47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade

Slovenia is officially recognised as one of the world’s Green destinations. It is best known for the beautiful Lake Bled, Kranjska Gora for winter sports, and the capital Ljubljana. Also, for relaxation and enjoyment, you can choose modern wellness and spa centres, such as Terme Čatež, Terme Olimia and Rogaška Slatina.

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade, Slovenia

Bulgaria is also a very popular destination. It is known for its fantastic ski resorts, Bansko and Borovets, the capital Sofia, and hotels on the Black Sea coast.

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade, Stand of Bulgaria

Exotic destinations

Egypt and Tunisia are well-known destinations which offer authentic experiences, mixed with the luxury hotels and resorts.
I am sure that many of you are familiar with the famous Egyptian pyramids and temples, long sandy beaches, and the Red Sea’s coral reefs.

Tunisia offers an amazing experience of visiting the Sahara Desert, Berber villages, and the oasis.
You can read more about the Sahara experience here: Sahara Desert, two days between the sun and sky.

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade, Egypt and Tunisia

Fans of long-distance travel found exotic destinations such as Namibia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Cuba.

So, Namibia attracts us with its spectacular nature and desert landscapes, national parks, and authentic communities.
Cambodia offers a look at the temple complexes of Angkor Wat, sunny beaches and natural attractions.
Indonesia is a fantastic combination of long, exotic beaches, small islands, and amazing temples.
And Cuba is so unique, with its vibrant Havana, Caribbean beaches, rum, cigars, music and salsa

47th International Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade: Indonesia, Namibia, Cambodia

Serbia’s tourist offer

Serbian tourism was represented at Hall 4 by the Tourist Organisation of Serbia, the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade, local tourist boards, mountain resorts, spa and wellness centres, and ethno villages.

The focus of this Tourism Fair was the promotion of the exhibition „EXPO 2027“  and its mascots, Rastko and Milica. This international event is very important for the future development of Serbia’s tourism, economy and international visibility.

TOS stand, and interactive activities

During four days, Serbia promoted its cities, culture and tradition, local gastronomy, spa centres, and wine routes.
Also, TOS promoted the new publications “Cities of Serbia” and “The village where peace and tradition have an address”.
Visitors took part in the quiz “Get to know the cities of Serbia” and enjoyed various interactive activities.

Presentation of the Serbian cities

And of course, tasting local products, traditional food, rakias and wines is a must-do in the fair.

Serbian local products, Belgrade Fair

AIR SERBIA

The stand of Air Serbia (the national airline of the Republic of Serbia) was crowded almost all the time. During the fair days, a special 25% discount on the fare was offered to visitors. Also, every hundredth customer had the opportunity to win a free ticket to any destination of their choice.

By the way, Air Serbia announced new destinations for 2026: Santorini, Alicante, Seville, Tenerife, Baku (Azerbaijan), Toronto and Tromso (Norway).

Air Serbia stand in Hall 1, Belgrade Fair

The 21st HoReCa-OPREMA Fair

The 21st HORECA-OPREMA, under the slogan “Serve yourself”, was held at Halls 2A and 2C.

At this international fair, dedicated to the Hotel and Catering Equipment, visitors could see equipment for kitchens, bars, restaurants, hotels, bakery and pastry products, bed linen, cleaning equipment, banquet equipment, workwear and footwear, IT solutions, sound and lighting systems. In a word, everything you need for a modern hotel, hospitality and catering industry.

Domestic exhibitors, five companies from Italy on the ITA/ICE stand (the Italian Foreign Trade Agency), exhibitors from Albania and other countries, attended the HoReCa fair.

HoReCa Oprema Fair, 2026

B2B Meetings on the Tourism Fair 2026 in Belgrade

The tourism fair is a very important place for all exhibitors and business visitors to promote tourism potential and make contacts.

In cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, more than 2,000 B2B meetings were held during the first two days of the fair. The meetings took place in a special area in hall 1, with scheduling through the B2B platform, specially created for this event.

Useful information on the Tourism Fair

The International Tourism Fair is held in the Belgrade Fair, Bul. Vojvode Mišića 14.
Belgrade Fair is easily reached by city transportation (buses, trams) from various parts of Belgrade.
From the airport “Nikola Tesla”, you can take a taxi or the bus no. 600, or minubs A1.
Read more about the transportation here.
If you are coming by car, it is located close to the E75 highway.
There is a parking lot at the fair, and it costs 200 RSD (about 1,7 EUR) per hour.

Opening hours for the Tourism Fair 2026:
Thursday-Saturday, the 19th to 21st February, from 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday, the 22nd February: 10 AM to 6 PM.

Price of tickets:
Individual ticket: 800 RSD.
Group ticket (minimum eight people): 600 RSD.
Business ticket with benefits package: 4,800 RSD.
From this year, visitors could buy tickets online via the link on the Belgrade Fair website.

Media partners of the event:
Travel Daily News, Events in Serbia, Fijet Srbija, Kongresniturizam.com, SAT Media Group, Style.rs, Tragento, Turistička prizma, Gde po Srbiji, Newsmax Balkans.

The 47th Tourism Fair 2026, Belgrade Fair

Let’s travel 

Well, the 47th International Tourism Fair is finished, confirming the importance of meetings for connecting people and the development of tourism.

Tourism trends show that people want to travel more to relax and have an authentic experience.
Also, vacation is not reserved only for the sea and mountains, but also for spa and wellness centres, etno villages, hiking and relaxing in nature throughout the year.
The good thing is that exotic and long-distance destinations are becoming more accessible thanks to new airlines and organised tours.

So, let’s travel and discover the new destinations!
One journey tells a thousand stories, but more trips make our lives more valuable and happier

This global initiative, established by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, aims to promote the excellence of “Made in Italy” products and the richness of Italian culinary tradition.

During this special week, Serbia also hosted a variety of events dedicated to Italian gastronomy, culture, and lifestyle.
And honestly, who can resist the aroma of authentic Italian dishes paired with outstanding wines?

Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, 2025

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the most inspiring international programs.

Launched in 2016 as a legacy of Expo Milan 2015, it has since grown into a true global celebration. Over 10,000 events have been organised across more than 100 countries, showcasing Italy’s culinary heritage through tastings, masterclasses, cooking shows, exhibitions, conferences, and business events.

In 2025, the Week of Italian Cuisine marks its 10th anniversary. This year’s theme, “Italian Cooking: Culture, Health and Innovation”, reflects the enduring values and contemporary evolution of Italian cuisine.

Italy has also submitted its world-famous cuisine for inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, with the decision expected in New Delhi from the 8th to 13th of December, 2025. To support the candidacy, famous artists Al Bano and Mogol created the official anthem “Vai Italia”, celebrating the emotional power and cultural beauty of Italian food.

The Week of Italian Cuisine in Serbia

Italian culture, gastronomy, and wine were also warmly celebrated in Serbia, where visitors had the opportunity to taste, learn, and immerse themselves in Italy’s culinary world.

The program in Serbia was officially presented at a press conference on the 17th November at the Palilula Market in Belgrade.

Luca Gori, the Ambassador of Italy to Serbia, introduced this year’s program through five key pillars: culture, solidarity, quality, togetherness, and professionalism.
The initiative is promoted by the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, in cooperation with the ICE Belgrade Agency, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen, Confindustria Serbia, and several Serbian companies.

After the press conference, the representatives and guests continued the gathering at the Figo restaurant in the market, where they enjoyed a tasting of exquisite Italian wines.

So, take a look at some of the events that were held in Serbia during this special culinary week.

Press conference, the Week of Italian Cuisine 2025, Belgrade

Culture events

The Week of Italian Cuisine opened on Monday, the 17th of November, with the exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi” (“Eating with the Eyes”). Photographs celebrating Italian food were displayed in the hall of Palazzo Italia, at Kneza Miloša 56 in Belgrade.

Luca Gori, the Ambassador of Italy to Serbia, inaugurated the exhibition featuring works by four Italian artists who portrayed food in diverse and imaginative settings.

Luisa Valieri, one of Italy’s most renowned food photographers, showcased her dessert-themed photographs taken in front of Genoa’s historic palaces and charming streets.

ICE Belgrado, Exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi”, photos by Luisa Valieri

Mauro Turatti presented artistic compositions of local ingredients with a gourmet twist, captured in the landscapes of various Italian regions.

Exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi”, photos by Mauro Turatti

The works of Francesco Rucci and Francesco Marinelli explored the idea of “Future Food”, blending gastronomy, nature, and emerging technologies.

Photos of Future Food, by Francesco Rucci and Francesco Marinelli

The connection between Italian cuisine and cinema was highlighted with a free screening of the film “All the women of my life” (“Tutte le donne della mia vita“), directed by Simona Izzo. The film was shown on Tuesday, the 18th of November, at the Belgrade Youth Centre Cinema.

 Italian Cuisine & Solidarity

Several food-related events took place during the Week of Italian Cuisine, because food truly brings people together, doesn’t it?

Popular pizzerias, including Pietra, Crazy Pizza, Majstor i Margarita, and Giovanni’s, organised pizza-making workshops for young people from the Children’s Shelter, the Save the Children organisation, the Veljko Ramadanović School for Hearing Impaired Students and the Down Syndrome Association in Belgrade.

In cooperation with UNHCR Serbia and Chef Francesco Nikolai, a special dinner featuring Italian dishes was prepared by students of the Hospitality and Tourism School, together with young refugees living in Serbia.

The Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen (CCIS) and the company La Strada delle Delizie organised an expert workshop dedicated to tasting the extra virgin olive oils.

Chefs Rosaria Napoli and Isabella Catalano also shared the secrets of Italian cuisine through a series of lectures held for students of the College of Hotel Management. One of their masterclasses, “Tastes of Sicily”, was dedicated to Serbian culinary professionals at the Metro HoReCa Centre.

Also, the company Shoppster Srbija, in collaboration with Confindustria Serbia, promoted Italian food, tableware and home appliances on its online platform during the Week of Italian Cuisine.

“Sapori d’Italia” at Aroma market

In cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade and the company Domaća trgovina, ICE Belgrade Agency launched the promotional campaign “Sapori d’Italia” (Tastes of Italy).

The event officially opened on the 19th November at the Aroma Market in Savska 28, Belgrade.
Representatives of Italian and Serbian institutions attended the event, including Luca Gori, the Italian Ambassador, Antonio Ventresca, the director of the ICE Belgrade Agency, representatives of Domaća trgovina, and members of the media.

Guests and shoppers had the chance to taste authentic Italian products and specialities prepared by Chef Daniele Moretti, who arrived from Rome specifically for this occasion.

The campaign promoting authentic “Made in Italy” brands will run until the end of April 2026.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca, Italian products, Aroma market

The Italian Wine Night

The second Italian Wine Night was held on the 20th of November at the Palilula Market, organised by the ICE Belgrade Agency, the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, and JKP Beogradske pijace.

Visitors enjoyed a selection of exceptional Italian wines in the unique, authentic atmosphere of the Belgrade market hall.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca, Italian wines

 

DJ Begefunk added to the spirit of the evening with a playlist of famous Italian hits, creating a cheerful and relaxed ambience.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca

 

 

Wine Vision by Open Balkan Fair 2025

The fourth edition of Wine Vision by Open Balkan, one of the largest wine and gastronomy fairs in Europe, took place from the 22nd to the 25th of November at the Belgrade Fair.

In collaboration with ICE Belgrade Agency, Vinitaly, and Verona Fiere, 67 Italian wine companies showcased their finest wines at the impressive Italian pavilion, spread over 1,000 m2, in Hall 2c.

Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Italian pavilion

Antonio Ventreska, the director of the ICE Office in Belgrade, emphasised that Italy remains the leading wine supplier in Serbia and continues to strengthen its position on the local market.

Visitors had the chance to taste wines from Italian regions, including Veneto, Apulia, Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, and Abruzzo.

Italian wines on the Italian pavilion, Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Belgrade

Italian Wine Masterclasses

During the Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair, six Wine Masterclasses were held on the Italian pavilion. They were led by Dejan Živkoski, president of the Association of Sommeliers of Serbia (SERSA), who presented the wines of Italian producers.

Thanks to the invitation of ITA Belgrado, I had a great opportunity to enjoy the Masterclass held on the first day of the fair.

Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Masterclass, Italian pavilion

It was a real pleasure to taste several fantastic wines from the terroir of Friuli Venezia Giulia, including Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio Ramato, Friulano, Collio, Sauvignon Blanc, Obiz and  Schioppettino.

Italian wines presented at one of the ITA Masterclasses

Some interesting wines…

All the Italian wines I tasted were truly fantastic!
But if I had to choose a favourite, it could be the following three wines.

Ferrari Brut (Cantine Ferrari) is a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes from Trentino, with a fresh flavour. It is Italy’s most awarded sparkling wine, and the official sparkling wine of Formula 1, as well

Ferrari wines, the Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade

◊ The sparkling Pizzolato organic wines also have a non-alcoholic line. The flavour is delicate and refreshing, perfect for summer days and cocktails. And the bottles are beautifully designed. In fact, the bottles are so stylish that they can easily serve as a decorative piece in any home

Pizzolato wines

Gavi di Gavi Toledana is a specific type of high-quality dry white wine from the Piedmont region. The taste is fresh, with fruits, flowers, almonds, and citrus notes. By the way, the company got its name from the historic villa built in the first half of the 16th century by the noble Genoese Imperiale family.

Gavi di Gavi Toledana Italian wine

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World

All these events together form a significant chapter in the promotion of Italian wine and gastronomic culture on the Serbian market, further strengthening the cultural and economic connections between Italy and Serbia.

They highlight a journey through culture, health, and innovation, celebrating the very best of “Made in Italy”.

Cin cin

Italian wines

Promotion of TOB in Sofia

Owing to a kind invitation from the Touristic Organization of Belgrade, I had an opportunity to attend its promotion.

The event was held in the 5-star Grand Hotel Millennium, located in the centre of Sofia. The conference hall was full of Bulgarian tourist agencies and Serbian representatives of agencies and hotels.

For years, Belgrade has welcomed Bulgarian tourists with open arms. And tourists from Bulgaria like to come to Serbia, especially for the New Year holidays.
During last year’s holidays, they were among the most numerous tourists. Actually, in the first nine months, 29,342 tourists from Bulgaria visited Belgrade, with 49,815 overnights, which is 49% more than last year. Also, they spent about 10 million euros this year in January travelling all around Serbia.

Ambassador of  Serbia – Mr. Željko Jović

Željko Jović, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Bulgaria, welcomed the guests.

Mr. Željko Jović, Ambassador of Serbia, and Mr. Slobodan Unković, TOB

In his speech in the Bulgarian language, the ambassador mentioned the importance of completing the last sections of the highway between Serbia and Bulgaria. By the way, the distance between Belgrade and Sofia is only 395 km, which makes Belgrade the perfect weekend destination.

Mr. Željko Jović, Ambassador of Serbia

The speech of  Mr. Slobodan Unković

Mr. Slobodan Unković, Assistant Director of TOB, addressed the guests.

Mr. Slobodan Unković, Assistant Director of TOB

“We are exceptionally pleased with the large number of Bulgarian tour operators who came to promote Belgrade and B2B meetings with hoteliers. This means that again this year, Bulgarian tourists will be among the most numerous for the New Year’s holidays.

And we believe that we will achieve a new record in their arrivals – said Mr Slobodan Unković.

By the way, Belgrade was visited by more than a million foreign tourists, and the Belgrade airport had a turnover of seven million passengers. Belgrade is also preparing for the upcoming BEOEXPO 2027, and it is planning to open 20 new hotels in the city.

TOB Sofia 2023, Slobodan Unković

Among the guests at the promotion, there was Mr. Georgi Genov, the president of  HORES, the Serbian Business Association of the hotel and catering industry, and Mr. Obren Drljević, a professor at the College of Tourism in Belgrade.

TOB Sofia 2023: Georgi Genov, Željko Jović, Slobodan Unković, and Obren Drljević

Željko Jović (Ambassador of Serbia), Nataša Vuković, Marina Jungić, and Slobodan Unković (TOB)

Bayko Baykov & Bohemia

The collaboration between Serbia and Bulgaria regarding tourism had lasted for years.
And Mr Bayko Baykov, the owner of the Bohemia tourist agency has been bringing Bulgarian tourists to Serbia for exactly 10 years.

Bayko Baykov, the director of the Bohemia agency

The promotion of Serbian tourist organisations

Aleksandra Mikata presented Belgrade and “Belgrade Winter” in the name of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade.

Aleksandra Mikata, TOB

So, the festival “Belgrade Winter” begins on 8th December 2023 and lasts until 8th January 2024.
The event “Winter Tale” will be held at Savski Park near Belgrade Waterfront from 12 to 10 PM every day. Entrance is free, and visitors can enjoy various programs for kids and adults: kids workshops, theatre performances, music concerts, outdoor winter cinema and of course, food and drinks. You can check the festival program on the website zimskabajka.rs.

TOB presentation of Belgrade

Well, tourists in Belgrade can enjoy delicious food in many restaurants, including the ones in the famous Skadarlija, the Bohemian Quarter. For kids, there will be Kids’ theatre performances held in front of the Theatre Vuk during December. And Kids Village will be in front of the Saint Sava Temple until 7th January 2024.

Traditionally, the festival “The Street of Open Heart” will be held on 1st January 2024 in all communities in Belgrade.
Also, the RTS Symphony orchestra and choir will hold a New Year’s concert on 14th January 2024.

Belgrade Winter

The great TOB team took care of the successful promotion and organization of the trip:
Aleksandra Mikata, Saša Stevanović, Ivana Nikolić and Dina Stamenković.

Dušica (TO Niš) and TOB Team: Ivana, Saša, Aleksandra and Dina

TON – The Tourist Organisation of Niš

Dušica Todorović, the head of the tourism promotion sector from the TON, held the presentation about the city of Niš.
Since the distance between Niš and Sofia is only 165 km, Bulgarian tourists are the most numerous tourists in this part of Serbia.

By the way, Niš can offer a lot to tourists, including historical and cultural sights such as the Fortress of Niš, the Archaeological Park Mediana, Ćele-kula, museums, etc. For New Year’s Eve, Niš is preparing a traditional manifestation with a rich musical and cultural program on the main city square of King Milan, starting from 26 December .2023 and lasting until 1st January 2024.

And, of course, don’t forget to enjoy delicious dishes from the Niš region.

Dušica Todorović from TON

Tourist Organisations of Sokobanja and Dimitrovgrad

Sokobanja and Dimitrovgrad are also very popular destinations among tourists from Bulgaria since they are very close.

Mrs Aleksandra Krstić presented Sokobanja, one of the most famous Serbian tourist locations. The hotel Sunce has a unique wellness and spa centre that offers numerous and various facilities to guests.

Mrs Andrijana talked about Caribrod, known as Dimitrovgrad, in the Bulgarian language, since many Bulgarian citizens live there. This city in the Pirot region got its name from the Bulgarian President, Georgi Dimitrov.

TO Sokobanja and TO Dimitrovgrad

TOB Tourist vouchers

After the presentations, Mr Bayko Baykov drew vouchers for 2 people could spend a weekend in Belgrade.
Two ladies from the Bulgarian tourist agencies were happy winners

Bayko Bayjkov, Aleksandar Stanković (Omniturs agency), Slobodan Unković, and voucher winners

B2B meetings

The second part of the promotion was dedicated to the B2B meetings.

TOB Sofia B2B, Bulgarian and Serbian representatives of hotels and agencies

The representatives from Serbia talked about hotels and wellnes&spa centres with Bulgarian travel agencies.

B2B Meetings

Sanja Milinčić represented the IN HOTEL, located in New Belgrade. And Jelena Jovančić talked about Falkensteiner Hotel, located in the heart of New Belgrade’s business and entertainment district.

TOB Sofia 2023, B2B meetings

Jelena Hinić represented the 5-star luxury HILTON Hotel, located in the centre of Belgrade. Interestingly, this hotel was the first one who have its ice rink in Serbia. From 10th December 2023, visitors can enjoy free ice skating lessons, a large selection of treats and DJ parties every day from 10 AM to 9 PM.

TOB Sofia 2023, B2B with Hotel Hilton

Olja Milosavljević-Žuvić and Dragana Rajak represented the modern PUTNIK INN hotel
with excellent fitnes&spa, located in New Belgrade.

B2B, Hotel Putnik Inn Belgrade

A few words about Serbia and Bulgaria’s relations

During the promotion, Aleksandra Mikata (TOB) was talking about some interesting facts and relations between Bulgaria and Serbia.

• Four Bulgarian princesses were married to the rulers of the Nemanjić dynasty.
• Four Serbian princesses were married to the Bulgarian rulers.
• Teodora, the mother of the Serbian King Dušan, as well as his wife Jelena, were both from Bulgaria.
• The relics of the Serbian king Milutin are kept in the church of Sveta Nedelya in the centre of Sofia.
• The Serbian architect Konstantin Jovanović made a design for the National Assembly of Bulgaria and after that, for the National Assembly of Serbia building.

TOB invites you to visit Belgrade

During New Year’s Night, there will be concerts in front of the National Assembly and a few locations in the centre.

And at midnight, there will be spectacular fireworks and a laser show from the Belgrade Tower.

So, come to Belgrade, enjoy and experience a wonderful time with us

#GoBelgrade TOB

This amazing event was held on 18/11/2023, but first, let me tell you something more about this masterpiece.

Osmium Violin, Belgrade 2023

The story about the Osmium violin

During the covid lockdown in 2020, two friends were talking with a glass of wine in their hands, in the Austrian town of Graz.
These were DI Kurt Assam and Karl Grosschadl. Kurt, the owner of the company Osmium Art, wanted to decorate one musical instrument. He told his idea to Karl, who remembered his friend from high school. It was Edgar E. Russ, a violin maker. So, Karl came to Cremona to visit Edgar, and this is how the unique violin was created.

Edgar E. Russ and Osmium violin, photo by ©Osmium Art

Edgar E. Russ, a violin maker

The Osmium Violin was made by Edgar E. Russ, a distinguished violin maker.
He made more than 2,000 violins and other musical instruments, such as violas, cellos, bows, and double basses.

But the most famous violin he made in 2012 was the one for His Majesty, Sultan of Oman, Bin Said Quaboos. A confidential agreement was signed about the price and owner. When the Sultan of Oman died in 2020, his violin was officially presented and transferred to the Museum in Oman.

“When we, Edgar Russ, Karl Großschädl and I, started our project “The Osmium Violin” in 2020,
our goal was to create something unique, something the world had never seen before.
Something that people would enjoy”.
DI Kurt Assam

Well, I have to say that I was very happy and honoured to have an opportunity to meet these fantastic guys in Belgrade

Karl Grosschadl, Edgar Russ, Natasha Vuković, and Di Kurt Assam

Some interesting facts about the violin

The Osmium Violin is a wonderful masterpiece of craftsmanship, jewellery and luxury.

The project started in July 2020 in Cremona, Italy, and it took 32 months of work to be finished.
◊ The body length is 13.98 inches, the total length is 23,43 inches, and it weighs 1,30 pounds.

Parts of the Osmium Violin, photo by ©OSMIUM-ART©

Special types of wood were used for the violin body. Actually, the front part was made of Italian hazel spruce from Val dì Fiemme (South Tyrol), about 25-30 years old. The back, neck and ribs were made of flamed Bosnian sycamore maple, about 20 years old.
◊ The 30-year-old best ebony from Cameroon was used for the fingerboard, upper and lower saddle.
The varnish was applied by hand and it is very specific. It is a mix of linseed oil, amber, and iron oxide pigments, kept in special conditions for years to get a nice brown colour.

Violin decorated with Osmium

◊ The violin is decorated with 541 inlays of custom-made crystalline Osmium, the rarest precious metal in the world.
Beside the osmium, there are 298 pieces of diamonds and high-quality rubies, sapphires and tsavorites. All  Osmium pieces and precious stones are set in 18-carat gold into the wood by hand.

If you would like to know more about sparkling Osmium, you can read here.

Osmium Violin

The Osmium Violin on the World Tour

The world premiere of the new Osmium violin was held on 30th March 2023 at the headquarters of the Austrian Post in Vienna. The famous violinist Elena Denisova was the first one who play this amazing violin.
By the way, the main logistic partner of the World Tour is Post Systemlogistic from Vienna.

Osmium Violin premiere, Vienna, 2023, photo by ©Osmium Art

Then, the violin was presented on 7th June at the National Theatre in Maribor. The event was organized by Alen Senekovič, the director of the Osmium Institute Slovenia. Various young artists took part, and the Slovenian violinist Oksana Pečeny played the Osmium violin.

Osmium Violin Promotion, Maribor 2023, photo by ©Osmium Art

During its World Tour, the violin was presented at various fairs and concerts

• 17 – 22, June, “Wörthersee Classics” with Elena Denisova, Klagenfurt, Austria.
• 09-17, September – Exhibition & concert with Mimi Scofiled/Jackson Hole/USA.
• 22-24, September: largest musical instrument fair “Mondomusica”, Cremona/Italy.
• 29. September – 01st October: “INTERGEM“, largest gemstone & precious metal fair in the world, Idar Oberstein, Germany.
  

  Osmium Violin, Intergem Fair, Germany, Scarlet Clauss, Vice president of the Osmium-Insitute Germany, photo  ©Osmium Art

   

• 4-10, October: Seoul’s largest trade fair in South Korea.
  

  Osmium Violin in South Korea, photo by ©Osmium Art

   

• 16.10: Jennifer Gheorghita concert & CD presentation at Jacques Lemans, Burg Taggenbrunn, Austria
  

  Jenny Gheorghita with Osmium violin, photo by Claus Comelli

   

• 26th October: “Brand Marken Gala”, Frankfurt, Germany.

And among 17 planned world destinations, the violin came to Belgrade!

The Osmium Violin in Belgrade

Well, we are all familiar with Novak Djoković, the world’s number one tennis player.
So Novak and his wife Jelena founded “The Novak Djokovic Foundation” which helps children through many projects regarding their education and development.

Promotion of the Osmium Violin in Belgrade, photo by ©Osmium-Art

To support prominent cultural values and works from Serbia and the world, the Foundation hosted the Osmium Violin in Belgrade on 18/11/2023. The event was held in the beautiful building of “Geozavod” with a selected number of guests and media.

Jelena Djokovic, the Global Director of the Foundation, welcomed the guests. She expressed the Foundation’s satisfaction regarding the organization of this important event for the promotion of outstanding cultural values that inspire and encourage creativity throughout all generations.

Robert Nedeljković, Edgar Russ, Jelena Djoković, and DI Kurt Assam, photo by Dalibor Danilović

Edgar E. Russ talked about how he started making unique and precious instruments.

Edgar E. Russ in Belgrade

Also, he said: “I thank Novak and Jelena Djokovic for making this wonderful evening dedicated to the instrument I made possible. Making a violin is an extremely complex process, but when you have an instrument like this in your hands, then every effort pays off”.

The founders and other owners, DI Kurt Assam and Karl Großschädl, were also present. But they remained in the background and took turns chatting with Jelena Djokovic, Maja Kremić, Miljan Lazetić, and Alex Grubin from the foundation, as well as with Stefen Milenković.

The concert of Stefan Milenković

Stefan Milenković, the Serbian and world-famous violinist, played the Osmium violin.

“It gives me great pleasure to be a part of this event and to share the same mission with the “Novak Djokovic Foundation”, which is to work with young people and provide assistance to provide them with good conditions to develop as well as possible. I try to light up this planet through music, through the violin, through art”, said Stefan Milenković before the event.

Stefan Milenković and Edgar Russ

Stefan was curious about how it would be possible to play the violin because it was decorated with osmium, the densest metal in the world.

“Instruments like these are rare, and it is even rarer that artists have the opportunity to try an instrument like this. I thought it would be impossible to play this instrument. But now I see that this is a successful combination of the great tradition of violin building, but also of jewellery and engineering” said Milenković.

Stefan Milenković plays Osmium Violin

It was a fantastic experience to listen to the Osmium Violin, especially when Stefan played “Carmen” by George Bizet, accompanied by pianist Hilda Svan. The amazing sound of the violin and Stefan’s playing touched the hearts of everyone in the hall.

Stefan Milenković and the magic sound of the Osmium Violin

Five young and most talented violinists, Adrijana Durmišević, Teofil Milenković, Olivera Mitrović, Lana Zorjan and Sofija Glavičić also took part in the event. They performed Telemann’s “Concert in D-major”, and together with Stefan, they played Vivaldijev’s “Concert for four violins in B-Minor.

Young talents and Stefan Milenković

The language of music is universal, and full of emotions.
It can make you cry, but it can also make you happy.

I, holding a precious Osmium Violin

The price of a violin

Probably you are wondering how much this violin costs.

Well, the price of this most precious new violin in the world is more than 10 million EUR.
If you would like to make a serious offer, please contact DI Kurt Assam at +43 676 4042040 or by email: office@osmium-violin.com. 

By the way, the most valuable violin sold in the world was Giuseppe Guarneri’s 1741 Vieuxtemps violin. The price was estimated at $16 million. This violin got its name from its most famous owner, the Belgian virtuoso Henry Vieuxtemps. The name of today’s owner is a secret, but it made the violin available to American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for a lifetime.

The violin with osmium travels around the world

After Belgrade’s promotion, the Osmium Violin is on the road again.
New places are waiting for it, such as Monaco, Melbourne, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and many others.

Osmium Violin, Photographer Claus Comelli-Stuckenfeld

Also, there is a new project “Osmium Art Quartet“. It will consist of instruments such as the Osmium Violin 2.0, the Osmium Cello, and the Osmium Viola. You can follow the website Osmium Violin and find out new information about the violin.

Until the next promotion, take a look at a video from the event and
listen to the magic sound of the Osmium Violine.

Visitors can see the incredible inventions of the famous Leonardo da Vinci in the renovated exhibition space of the Sahat Tower at the Belgrade Fortress. Opening hours are every day (except Mondays) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The entrance fee is 470 RSD (4 euros), and for pupils, students and pensioners it is 350 RSD (3 euros).

Exhibition place: Sahat Tower, Belgrade Fortress

The exhibition consists of over fifty exhibits, including replicas of portraits and various inventions. The most famous are the tank, clock, bicycle, and parachute. Some of the Machines of Leonardo are interactive, which is interesting for both children and adults.

Exhibition Machines of Leonardo da Vinci, Belgrade 2023

Who was Leonardo da Vinci?

First of all, I would like to say something more about this Renaissance genius, who was hundreds of years ahead of his time.

Leonardo da Vinci was born on the 15th of April 1452, in the Italian city of Vinci, close to Firenze. He was the illegitimate son of a notary and a lower-class woman, Caterina Lipi.

Leonardo had an endlessly curious and innovative mind since he was a young boy. So his father Piero da Vinci sent him to Florence for education to his friend Andrea del Verrocchio, the Italian painter and sculptor. After ten years in his workshop, Leonardo mastered a wide range of technical skills in mechanics, chemistry, metallurgy, sculpting, modelling, and metal and leather processing.

Self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo was a great visionary who had many interests, such as geometry, astronomy, mechanics, hydraulics, physics, geometry, and engineering. Because of his fantastic inventions, he lived in Firenze, Milano, Pavia, Venice, and Rome.
He became “a court engineer” in 1482 at the court of Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Also, Cesare Borgia hired him as “a war engineer” in 1502 in Firenze. From 1513, Leonardo worked for the Medici family.

The last three years of his life, he spent in France and worked for King Francis I. He passed away on 2nd May 1519, in Amboise, France.

Private life

Leonardo had a lot of friends. They said that he was a handsome man, pleasant, generous, well-liked in society, and he talked nicely with everyone. He was a vegetarian and a protector of animals.

Leonardo dressed differently from the others. His wardrobe includes a pink coat, pink hat, black and pink tights, taft dress, purple velvet hooded cloak, and satin coats – purple and bright red.
As he got older, he grew a beard that reached the middle of his chest and was well-groomed.

Even though he left a thousand notes and drawings, he wrote a little about his private life. He never married, and there are some stories that he was probably homosexual. But the trauma of the sodomy case converted him to celibacy for the rest of his life.

One thing is true: he was always hungry for knowledge and innovations.

Anatomy and The Vitruvian Man

Leonardo was interested in birds, botanics, and especially in anatomy. He was fascinated by the human body, and he left many fantastic and detailed drawings of human organs, muscles, heads, and hearts. Leonardo made more than 30 autopsies, exploring every aspect of anatomy.

One of his most famous drawings is The Vitruvian Man (Italian: L’uomo vitruviano) from 1490. It was inspired by the writings of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.
The drawing shows a nude man in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart. Actually, it is inscribed in both a circle and a square. He wanted to demonstrate that the human body had the perfect ratios and proportions. Today, the original drawing can be seen in Venice, in the Gallerie dell’Accademia.

The Vitruvian Man

Mechanisms and machines of Leonardo da Vinci

The exhibits were made from Leonardo’s original sketches by Italian craftsmen, and we can see the models in several themes.

Throughout his life, Leonardo was constantly making sketches, drawings, and paintings. There were more than 6,000 drawings from various fields found in his notebooks.

Flying Machines of Leonardo da Vinci

Hang glider

In the central part of the exhibition, there is a model of a hang glider. And certainly, you will be speechless when you see Leonardo’s inventions of flying machines.

Hang Glider by Da Vinci

So, in 1478-1480, he got the idea to make a lightweight glider with wings stretched on a net skeleton.

A model and a drawing of a Hang Glider by Da Vinci

By the way, in 2003, the British Aviation Sport Association made a project about testing a glider according to Leonardo’s drawing. And once again, it worked. Judy Leden, a British hang glider and paraglider pilot, had a successful flight.

Ornithopter

From 1483 to 1515, Leonardo was watching and researching birds. They were an inspiration for his flying machines.

One of them was an ornithopter. It was designed to work by mimicking the flapping motion of a bird’s wings. On the 3rd January in 1496, he tested an ornithopter, based on the structure of a bat’s wings, but it failed. So he continued to work.

Ornithopter flying machine of Leonardo da Vinci

Parachute

In 1485, Leonardo made a drawing of the parachute. It had a wooden structure shaped like a quadrilateral pyramid, covered with fabrics.

Many years later, in 2008, a Swiss parachutist, Olivier Vietti-Teppa, made a parachute according to Leonardo’s drawing. So he jumped and landed successfully on the ground. Well, after so much time, it still works

Leonardo da Vinci Parachute

Air Screw

One more fantastic drawing is an air screw made in 1493. It is a design for the prototype of today’s helicopter.

Air screw Helicopter

War Machines of Leonardo da Vinci

Da Vinci’s tank

Leonardo da Vinci was a war engineer, although he considered war “a bestial madness”, especially during his service at Cesare Borgia.

One of the most interesting war innovations was the tank.
Even though it was 1485, Leonardo had a fantastic idea for the combat vehicle, which was a prototype of today’s tank. He wrote about it to the Duke of Milan. The tank had a wooden structure with cannons; it looked like a torture shell, and it was driven by an eight-man crew.
By the way, the first tanks were used many years later, in 1916, during the First World War.

Da Vinci Tank

Arche Bridge and Ladders

Since there were many wars and attacks in medieval times, Leonardo constructed bridges as well. This one from 1502 is a project for an Arch Bridge, extremely stable because of its supporting structure.

Something is interesting about this bridge. In 2001, the Norwegian Vebjorn Sand built a bridge according to this project, which was 109 metres long across the highway. It is intended for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and it is named “Da Vinci Bridge”.

Arche bridge

To improve the technique of siege, Leonardo designed fortresses and various types of ladders, which are similar to those used by firefighters today.

Also, he designed bullet models that have a longer range than other bullets because there is a hollow slot that is filled with gunpowder. On the back of the bullet, some wings give it stability in flight.

Ladders and bullets, Da Vinci

Mechanics of Leonardo da Vinci

The Clock

Leonardo was fascinated with time, and one of his famous inventions was the Clock. Actually, he designed a chronometer that measured time more precisely than other clocks. But the most important thing is the use of a spring drive instead of a weight drive.

Clock mechanism by Leonardo da Vinci

 Da Vinci Bicycle

Da Vinci wanted to make inventions for a better life. One of the most interesting is certainly the bicycle.
The drawing dates back to 1493, and it was probably made by Salai, Da Vinci’s pupil and a model, according to his idea. By the way, the bicycle was constructed 300 years after Da Vinci’s bicycle sketch had been made. The sketch was found in 1974 among his notes.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Bicycle

Mechanics

Mechanics was very important to Da Vinci. He spent a lot of time researching and designing technical projects.

So he designed his own anemometer, an instrument for the measurement of wind speed, between 1483 and 1486.
Besides, there is a model of the first hydrometer in 1500, used to determine the quality and density of air after rain.

On the left side is an Anemometer, and on the right is the Hydrometer

Leonardo designed many things, and some of them we use in our everyday lives. There are file carving machines, compound hoists, perpetual motion machines, various transmissions, and gear mechanics. Also, he designed a spotlight and used it during theatrical productions. Swimming gloves were inspired by watching birds and their limbs of pinnipeds to facilitate swimming.

Da Vinci’s inventions

Going around, you can see two more interesting inventions. One is the ratchet mechanism, used in a wide range of equipment, such as reels, winders, jacks and ratchet spanners. The other one is the cam hammer, today widely used in modern mechanisms.

Left: Ratchet mechanism; right: Cam hammer

 Ball bearing

Then, there is a vertical ball bearing, designed to reduce friction under vertical loads. It consists of three balls with a vertical axle.
Next to it, you can see a ball bearing with eight balls and concave cylinders, to increase the efficiency of machines by lowering the resistance of friction.

Ball bearing

And of course, there are more inventions, such as a jack, today’s necessary item when you change car wheels.
Then the flywheel, without it, the operation of today’s engines and appliances is not possible.

Inventions and machines of Leonardo: jack, flywheel, chain

Replicas of Leonardo da Vinci’s portraits

It is known that Leonardo da Vinci was an excellent sculptor and painter. Several replicas of his most famous paintings could also be seen at the exhibition. Among them are Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and Salvator Mundi.

Mona Lisa (La Gioconda, 1503-1506)

Ah, Mona Lisa… It is probably the most famous painting in the world Her enigmatic smile has aroused the imagination for centuries. It caused controversy as to what was hidden behind her facial expression. And what hidden message her portrait carries, as well.
It is believed that Leonardo painted Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Today, the original painting of the Mona Lisa can be seen in the Louvre.

Replica Mona Lisa, Exhibition Machines of Leonardo da Vinci, Belgrade 2023

Salvator Mundi or Saviour of the World (1506-1513)

The replica of the painting “Salvator Mundi”  looks unreal. Leonardo painted it for King Francis I.
It represents Jesus. In his left hand, he holds the crystal ball, which represents the world. He raises the right hand, and two fingers are crossed in the gesture of benediction.

Today, the painting is in a private collection. Well, it was sold in 2017, at the Christie auction in New York for 450.3 million dollars! It was the highest sales price for one painting ever in the world. So, it is supposed that the owner is the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. However, the painting has not been seen in public since its sale, even though it should be placed in the Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Replica of Salvator Mundi

Last Supper

 “Last Supper” is a masterpiece by Leonardo. It is a mural painting dated 1495-1498, located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Ludovico Sforza was a patron of this artwork. It represents the biblical scene of the last supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles. Dimensions of the mural are 460 cm × 880 cm.

By the way, this mural can be seen with an online ticket. Reservations are open every three months, and the entrance fee is 15 euros.

Famous “Last Dinner”, Leonardo da Vinci

Lady with an Ermine (1489-1490)

“The Lady with an Ermine“ is another famous painting by Leonardo.
It is a portrait of  Cecilia Galerani, the mistress of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. She was only 15 years old and was carrying Ludovico’s child. The original painting is housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow, Poland.

Replica “Lady with an Ermine”

Various paintings of Leonardo da Vinci

Besides these most impressive replicas, you can see a replica of “The Virgin Mary with Child and St. Anna” (1506-1513).
And there is a replica of Bacchus, the god of wine (1510-1515). Both original paintings are housed in the Louvre.

Left: The Virgin with a child and St. Anna; right: Bacchus

Also, there are replicas of several portraits.
From the left side, there are Madonna Litta, Ginevra Benci, and St. John the Baptist.
The second row is a replica of the painting Annunciation, Leonardo’s first professional painting (1472-1475).

Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings

Visit the exhibition “Machines of Leonardo da Vinci”

Well, there is still a little time left until the exhibition’s end, i.e., 30th September 2023, in Belgrade.
I believe that those who saw Leonardo’s wonderful world of machines and portraits were delighted, as I was.

If your trip takes you to Florence, you can also visit Leonardo’s interactive museum.
And if you want to know more about the life and works of this Renaissance artist and scientist,
I highly recommend the book “Leonardo da Vinci” by Walter Isaacson.

Leonardo is also known for his wonderful sayings and lessons, which we need today. And that’s why…
“Be curious, relentlessly curious, and observe.
Keep a child’s sense of wonder and reach beyond your reach.”

Belgrade Sahat Tower, Exhibition Machines of Leonardo da Vinci, 2023

Although at first sight, they may seem like separate stories, the fates of the members of both families are very connected. While you are strolling around through the salons of the House of Jevrem Grujić, you slowly forget the present and return to the past.

Well, it was a time of courts, balls, wars and turbulent historical events in the mountainous Balkans.

The house of Jevrem Grujić, Belgrade

A few words about the exhibition

Portraits of rulers and members of the royal family have always been important witnesses of the time in which they were created. And later, when new successors came to the throne as well. The exhibition “Serbian Royal Portraits” takes us back to the period of Serbian history from the beginning of the 19^th to the mid-20^th century.
Eh, if these portraits could speak, what stories they could tell us!

The portraits on display are works by famous Serbian painters, such as Steva Todorovic, Anastas Jovanović, Uros Predić, Paja Jovanović, as well as other artists. Nowadays, these portraits are in museums all over Serbia. The authors of the exhibition are the descendants of Jevrem Grujić, Aleksandar Conić, and Lazar Šećerović.
By listening to an interesting story told by the curator, you will find out more about Karadjordjević and Obrenović families, as well as about the social and political life in Serbia.

So let us remind ourselves of the history and the fate of the members of these families.

Karadjordjević Dynasty

Karadjordje

The founder of the Serbian and Yugoslav royal Karadjordjević family was Djordje Petrović, known as the Black Djordje or Karadjordje. He was the leader of the First Serbian Uprising (1804-1813). During his reign, Serbia became a state with the state apparatus and courts, and the Great School was established. He was married to Jelena and they had seven children.

Karadjordje Petrović

Karadjordje was executed in July 1817 by the order of Prince Miloš Obrenović. Otherwise, it is interesting that Karadjordje was the best man at the wedding of Prince Miloš and Princess Ljubica Obrenović!

In 1839  his youngest son Alexander became an adjutant of Prince Michael Obrenović. After his abdication in 1842, Alexander Karadjordjević was elected as a prince of Serbia. During his rule, various reforms in the development of the state were made and new institutions were founded and constructed, such as the National Library and the National Museum.

King Alexander I Karadjordjević

Alexander was forced to abdicate by the decision of the Saint Andrew’s Day Assembly in December 1858. He retired to his estate and died in 1885 in Timisoara. First, he was buried in Vienna. Then in 1912, his remains were moved to the Memorial Church of St. George at Oplenac. He had nine children from his marriage with Persida. His son Peter I Karadjordjević later succeeded him.

King Petar I Karadjordjević

The Karadjordjević family returned to the throne with King Peter I after the May coup in 1903 and the assassination of King Alexander Obrenović. First, Peter I was elected as King of Serbia (1903-1918). And then he was King of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (1918-1921).

King Peter I Karadjordjević

More precisely, King Peter I was the first and only Serbian ruler of the modern age who was crowned and anointed at the age of sixty. He advocated liberalism and was the chief commander of the Serbian army in the Balkan Wars. In the First World War, he withdrew with his army through Albania.

King Peter I was married to Princess Zorka, daughter of the King of Montenegro, Nikola I Petrović. They had three children: a daughter Jelena and sons George and Alexander. The beloved Serbian king passed away in 1921. He was buried in his endowment, St. George’s Church at Oplenac.

Portraits of King Peter I Karadjordjević

King Alexander I Karadjordjević

King Peter I was succeeded by his son Alexander I Karadjordjević.
He returned to Serbia after his father came to the throne. His older brother, Djordje abdicated. First Alexander became king of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1921, and then king of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1929-1934). He was the supreme military commander in the Balkan Wars and the First World War. Also, he is known as Alexander the Unifier.

King Alexander I Karadjordjević

Alexander was assassinated in 1934 during an official visit to Marseille.
He was buried in the mausoleum of St. George’s Church in Oplenac.

Karadjordjevic dynasty: King Alexander I, King Peter I and Queen Maria

 Queen Mary Karadjordjević

Alexander’s wife was Romanian Princess Mary Hoencolern, who descended from the Russian imperial family and the British royal family. She was highly educated and loved by the Serbian people. During World War II, she sent humanitarian aid to Yugoslavia, under her pseudonym. Also, she helped to build the Children’s Hospital in Tiršova Street and the Institute of Oncology in Belgrade.

Queen Mary remained known for being one of the few female drivers at the time. She adored cars!
In the portraits, we see her as a strong, beautiful, and elegant woman.

Portraits of the Queen Mary Karadjordjević on exhibition

But there is another image, which portrays her as gentle and sad. It is a caricature of our famous painter Milena Pavlovic-Barili. As a girl, she spent some time at court together with her mother, who taught Queen Mary the Serbian language.

The caricature of Mary Karadjordjević

After World War II she lived in England with her sons, where she died in 1961. She was buried in Windsor. But in 2013  her remains were moved to the royal dynasty mausoleum at Oplenac with the highest state honours.
Queen Mary was a great role model as a good mother and wife. She received the National Order of the Legion of Honour from the President of France, General Charles de Gaulle.

Peter II Karadjordjević

Queen Mary and King Alexander had three sons: Peter, Tomislav, and Andrew.

King Alexander was succeeded by his firstborn son, eleven-year-old Peter II. Since he was a minor, the state was ruled by the regency headed by his cousin, Paul Karadjordjević. After he had signed the Tripartite Pact in 1941, Hitler attacked Yugoslavia, and the family members went into exile.

The monarchy was officially abolished by the decision of the Constituent Assembly at the end of 1945.

King Peter II Karadjordjević

In exile, he first lived in London and then in America, where he died in 1970. Together with three other family members, he was buried in 2013 in St. George’s Church at Oplenac. From his marriage to the Greek princess Alexandra, he has a son Alexander Karadjordjević. Today he lives with his wife Katarina from 2001 in the Royal Palace in Belgrade.

The Obrenović dynasty

Miloš Obrenović

The founder of the Obrenovic dynasty was Prince Miloš, actually Miloš Teodorović. He took this surname from his maternal half-brother, Duke Milan Obrenović.
Together with Karadjordje, he participated in the First Serbian Uprising. Well, he was the leader of the Second Serbian Uprising. During his reign from 1815 to 1839, feudalism was abolished in Serbia and a principality with a constitution and assembly was established. More precisely, on 15^th February 1835, in Kragujevac, the first Constitution of the Principality of Serbia, known as the Sretenje Constitution was enacted.

Prince Miloš Obrenović

This day is the most important in the political and historical sense for the state of Serbia.
Also, it is interesting that on the same day in 1804, the First Serbian Uprising began in Orašac under the leadership of Karadjordje. Today Serbia celebrates this day as its National Day.

Princess Ljubica Obrenović

Prince Miloš was married to Ljubica Vukomanović.
She was strict and serious. There was a story that she had killed one of Miloš’s mistresses, beautiful Petrija, with a flintlock holster pistol! They would often come into conflict. The residence of Princess Ljubica, located in Belgrade, was built as her residence.

Besides Milan and Michael, they had three more daughters, while four children died in infancy. She was buried in the Krušedol monastery on Fruška Gora mountain.

Furthermore, there were rumours that Prince Miloš also had at least eight other illegitimate children and numerous mistresses…

Michael (Mihailo) Obrenović

Prince Miloš was forced to abdicate for despotic behaviour. He was succeeded by his son Milan, who died of illness after only a month of the rule.

Then his second son Michael came to the throne and he ruled twice. He first assumed power in 1839,  after the death of his brother. Michael ruled until 1842 when he was overthrown after the uprising. His wife was Julia, the daughter of Hungarian Count Hunyady. They met at the court of Vienna, but the marriage did not last long. Julia could not have children and she returned to Vienna to live a free life.

Do you know that Prince Michael wrote one famous poem?
Well, it is the poem “Što se bore misli moje” (Why do my thoughts torture me)

The coloured lithography, 1842, Prince Michael (Mihailo) Obrenović

After the overthrow of Prince Alexander (son of Karadjordje) and after the death of his father Prince Milos in 1860, Michael became the Prince of Serbia again. He became a good diplomat but ruled autocratically in domestic politics. Prince Michael was assassinated at Kosutnjak in 1868 and was buried in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Belgrade.

Prince Mihailo Obrenović

In 1882 the Serbian people erected a monument to Prince Michael in the centre of Belgrade. It is located on today’s Republic Square and has been known for generations as a traditional meeting place: “At the Horse”. It is an equestrian statue of Prince Michael. Around the monument are inscribed 6 names of cities: Belgrade, Smederevo, Kladovo, Sabac, Uzice, and Soko. These were liberated cities given to Serbia by the Turkish authorities after their withdrawal.

Prince Michael had one illegitimate son, Velimir, who could not succeed him.
With him, the line of direct descendants of Prince Miloš was quenched.

Milan Obrenović

Milan Obrenović, the grandson of Miloš’s brother Jevrem, succeeded Prince Michael.
Since he was a minor, a regency was established to rule in his name. He ruled as a prince from 1868 to 1872, and later as king of Serbia from 1872 to 1889.

Royal portraits: King Milan and Queen Natalia Obrenović

King Milan was married to Natalia Keschko, the daughter of a Russian colonel and princess of Moldova.
She was the favourite Serbian queen. But that marriage was not happy, mainly because of political differences. The king turned to love adventures. They divorced after eleven years of marriage. Actually, he even banished her at one moment. Also, he did not even have the support of the people. The state was shaken by numerous internal crises. After all, King Milan abdicated in favour of his son Alexander, who was also a minor.

Queen Natalia Obrenović, punk style photo: God, save the Queen

Alexander Obrenović

One of Queen Natalia’s court ladies was Draga Mašin, with whom her son Alexander fell in love.
However, everyone was against this relationship and especially marriage.

King Alexander Obrenović, exhibition

Draga was a widow and ten years older than King Alexander. Of course, it was inappropriate for a royal family.
Milan, Alexander’s father, left Serbia to protest and went to Vienna. He died there in 1901 and was buried in the Serbian Krušedol monastery. That relationship was also a big disappointment for Queen Natalia.

Despite everything, the couple got married in July 1900. And the best man was Russian Tsar Nikolai II Romanov.

Queen Draga Mašin

After news of false pregnancy and numerous political problems, people’s dissatisfaction grew. Officers of the secret organization “Black Hand” planned the assassination of King Alexander and Queen Draga on the night of May 28-29. This event is known as the “May Coup” and it extinguished the Obrenović dynasty.

Otherwise, all the property went to Queen Natalia. In her testament, she bequeathed everything to the endowments of the Obrenović family and the University of Belgrade. Later Queen Natalia became a nun in the Catholic Church. She died in 1941 in poverty and was buried at a cemetery near Paris.

After all these events, the Karadjordjević dynasty with King Peter I came to the Serbian throne again.

Who was Jevrem Grujić?

Well, it is time to say something about the owner of the house where the museum is today.

Jevrem Grujić (1826 – 1895) was a minister several times. Also, he was a judge of the Grand Court and a diplomatic representative of Serbia in Istanbul, London, Paris, and Brussels. Jevrem Grujić belonged to the first generation of Sorbonne state scholarship recipients. Thanks to him, the First Law on the National Assembly of 1858 was passed. He actively participated in the decisive political events of Serbia and often came into conflict with the ruling regime.

The portrait of Jevrem Grujić

He met his wife Jelena (1840 – 1897) at a court ball. Jelena was the adopted daughter of Theodore Herbez, the Minister of Finance and Jelenka Herbez. On one of the estates Jelena’s mother received from Prince Miloš as a wedding gift, in 1886 Jevrem erected a house for his family, i.e. today’s home of Jevrem Grujić.
Jelena was the Vice President of the Belgrade Women’s Society, founded in 1875 under the patronage of Princess Natalia.

The lineage of Jevrem Grujić continued along the female line through his daughter Stana. Several families descended from her, including the heirs of Lazar Šećerović and Aleksandar Conić, the founders of today’s Museum. More about Jevrem Grujić’s family as well as the connections that members of this family and Conić, Šećerović and Naumović had with Karadjordjević and Obrenović, can be found here.

Museum Art Collection

In addition to portraits on exhibition, there are over 400 works of art in the Jevrem Grujić House. Family members have been collected over the past two centuries. As permanent exhibits, you can see style furniture, various porcelain items, ceramics, decorative figurines, and family jewellery.

Then there are the famous collections of weapons by Stevan Ćurčić, one of the largest collectors of weapons. Also, you can see the authentic weapons from the First and Second Serbian Uprising. The collection is complemented by rare newspapers, a family library, photographs, private letters from royal family members, decorations and royal gifts.
A special place is occupied by the oldest preserved wedding dress in Serbia from 1850. It belonged to Jelena Grujić and it consists of several hundred thousand silver threads!

One of the most significant gifts is a beautiful gilded and crystal set for liquor.
It was a gift from King Milan and Queen Natalia Obrenović to Stevan and Stana Čurčić.

Gilded-crystal set for a liqueur, a wedding gift

Also, at the exhibition, you can see personal items, such as handbags, combs, various boxes, powders, mugs, medals.

Personal things

Besides them, there are a few small pencils.
The ladies used them to write down in notes which cavaliers would dance at the ball!

Exhibition: personal things and gifts

With Queen Natalia at a tea party

Queen Natalia Obrenović was a great friend of Jevrem Grujic’s family. She would arrive unannounced and without protocol.

A cup of tea

During the exhibition, on Sundays from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm, you can attend an unusual reception. More precisely, it is a tea party with Queen Natalia

The curator (Nevena Ostojić) in the role of Queen Natalia, tells the assembled ladies what her life looked like. She shows how to serve tea according to royal protocol. Also, the Queen talks about how ladies in high society should behave.

And at the end of the party, there is a sweet surprise. With tea, the ladies can taste a chocolate cake, served when Queen Natalie was coming. It is made according to a recipe from 1888 and it is delicious!

Tea party with Queen Natalia, exhibition

Visitor information about the exhibition

The Museum of the Jevrem Grujić House is located at 17, Svetogorska Street in Belgrade (next to Atelje 212 Theatre). It is open to visitors on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 pm to 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Guided tours are organized every hour.

During the exhibition, an educational, creative workshop for children “The Little Kingdom” is organized on Saturdays.
And for parents, here are two real theatre plays. The first is the story of 20th-century fashion icon Coco Chanel and the play “Little Black Dress”. The second play, “Two Women and One War” is about two great benefactors of the Serbian people, Mabel Grujić and Jelena Lozanić.

For any additional information about the exhibition, you can call +381 11 407 3612, send an e-mail, or visit the website. Also, you can buy tickets online.

Exhibition “Serbian Royal Portraits”

Well, I believe that this story about the exhibition seems like a short history class to you

In a word, it was the fate of the Serbian royal families. The portraits that we look at today are silent witnesses of the past years and the turbulent history of the Serbian people.
Certainly, it is much easier today. Every mobile phone has a camera. We take selfies or photos and we immediately have a memory of the last moment!

But the portraits are something else, though. It is a history captured at one moment in time that describes the position of the person being painted. Symbols such as saber, holster, decorations, ribbons, jewellery, and clothing suggest what lies behind the enigmatic or harsh gazes of its owners.

Exhibition Serbian Royal portraits: King Alexander Karadjordjević and Karadjordje

The home of Jevrem Grujić was a well-known place for balls, social elites, and politicians of these times.
Also, the first discotheque in Belgrade and the Balkans was opened in the basement of the house!

Today it is a historic house and a cultural monument of high importance for the Republic of Serbia.
And it is the only Serbian member of the European Historic Houses.

Well, it is quite a good reason to visit this unique museum-town house and exhibition.
Portraits remind us of the past. And it is up to us to create the future we want.

.

We visited it during our Portugal tour with the Filip travel agency in 2015. But, we were pleasantly surprised that day: during our visit on the 1^st of May, the International Chocolate Festival was held in this picturesque city!

Chocolate festival in Obidos, 2015.

Every year, the chocolate festival is held in a different period in spring. And it usually lasts two weeks in the period from March to May. This year (2018), for example, the XVI festival took place from 23rd February to 18^th March.

During the chocolate festival, the visitors can attend culinary classes with chocolate as the main ingredient. They could watch the competition for the best chocolate recipes and the best Chocolatier, as well. Kids also have an opportunity to prepare several chocolate desserts and take part in recreational and pedagogical activities.

Obidos, Chocolate festival 2015.

For sure, everyone enjoys eating chocolate in different shapes and admires sweet masterpieces – chocolate sculptures.

What to see and what to do in Óbidos

Óbidos is located on a hilltop, and it is encircled by medieval walls.

Óbidos walls

Inside the walls, you can see the well-preserved Usseira Aqueduct, about 3 km long, from the 16^th century.
It was funded by Queen Catherine of Portugal and constructed to bring fresh water to the village, vineyards, and orchards.

Usseira Aqueduct in Óbidos

The main gate into the city is Porta da Vila, from the 18^th century.
It contains a beautiful little chapel, decorated with blue and white glazed tiles, called Azulejos, which depicts the passion of Christ, while the ceiling represents the crown of thorns. The Porta da Vila has two low-rise entrances that prevent attackers from entering the town, similar to other Gothic Portuguese castles.

Porta da Vila, Obidos

The centre consists of a cobbled street. Traditional houses are painted white, and the corners are bordered by blue or yellow lines.

Obidos, Rua Direita

You can see climbing plants, colourful bougainvillaeas, and flowers along the walls.

Obidos, Rua Direita

Although it was a cloudy day, the main street, Via Rua Direita, was full of people. There, you can find shops with souvenirs, wines, liqueurs, and traditional ceramics crafts.

Óbidos Rua Direita

Among the visitors in the crowd, we saw a couple of street artists dressed up in „chocolate“
First, we saw a “chocolate man”

Rua Direita, Chocolate festival 2015

And then we saw a “chocolate girl”

Chocolate Festival 2015

And the festival is not a festival without musicians and good music 

Óbidos, musicians

Ginja de Óbidos

The locals say that a trip to Óbidos is not complete without tasting the sweet alcoholic drink Ginja de Óbidos (Ginjinha de Óbidos).
Ginja is a homemade liqueur. It is produced by infusing Morello cherries from the Obidos region in alcohol, adding sugar and other ingredients.

The liqueur Ginja is served with a cherry in a shot glass. But there is one particular way to taste it: they put Ginja in a little chocolate cup! First, you drink Ginja and then eat the cup. Well, it is a perfect mix and has fantastic taste

Ginja de Óbidos

You can buy a small Ginja bottle packed with these chocolate cups as a traditional gift.
Hm… our gifts were consumed before we finished our visit to Óbidos

Ginja is one of the favourite Portuguese liqueurs and drinks in Lisbon, Alcobaca, and, of course, Óbidos.

Lidador restaurant

Churches: Igreja de Santa Maria and Igreja de Santiago

Walking down the narrow streets of Óbidos, in the main square of the town, we saw a church with a bell tower and a Renaissance portal, the Igreja de Santa Maria (Saint Mary’s Church). During the rule of the Moors, the mosque was built here. However, when D. Afonso Henriques (the first Portuguese king) conquered the city in 1148, the mosque was replaced by a Christian church.

In this church in 1441, Infante D. Alonso (later King D. Alonso V of Portugal) married his cousin Isabel when they were almost kids.

Igreja de Santa Maria

Another impressive church is Igreja de Santiago, built in 1186 at the orders of Dom Sancho I.

Igreja de Santiago

Castelo de Óbidos

Igreja de Santiago was a collegiate church serving the castle, Castelo de Óbidos, built by the Moors in the 8^th century.
King Dom Dinis rebuilt the castle and made it the Royal Palace. His son, King D. Afonso II, donated the castle to his wife, D. Urraca, in 1210.

Then, another king, Dom Dinis, also gave the city as a wedding present to his wife, Isabel of Aragon, in 1282.
From then until 1883, Óbidos and the surrounding land were always the property of the Queens of Portugal. And got the name “Queen’s Town“.

Walls of the Castelo de Óbidos

The castle architecture has elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Manueline styles. This specific style was developed at the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16^th century, during the reign of King Manuel I.

You can explore the castle garden and walk around the walls of the castle for about 1.5 km.
Very important NOTE: pay attention, because there is no protective fence.

Castelo de Óbidos

It is not permitted to enter the historic part of the castle because it is now a hotel, Pousada de Óbidos.  In 1950, it was classified as a National Monument and became the first Portuguese Pousada (heritage hotel) in a historic building.

In the city, you can visit the Municipal Museum and the Parish Museum, galleries of contemporary art, and little churches as well.

If you like golf, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort is a perfect choice. It is one of the top golf resorts in Europe, located on a sandy beach in a protected rural area close to the city. The golf complex includes a luxury Marriott 5* hotel with a spa centre.

Mercado Medieval de Óbidos

In addition to the Chocolate Festival, there is one more exciting festival worth visiting: Mercado Medieval de Óbidos.

It is the medieval market and fair, held in the middle of July and the beginning of August (open Thursday to Sunday).
In a word, the whole city is back in medieval times! The visitors can taste the local food and beverages from that period and enjoy a performance of dancers, minstrels, musicians, court jesters, jugglers, and jousting knights.

How to get to Óbidos?

Óbidos is located about 80 km north of Lisbon. So, the best way is to catch a bus (Rapida Verde Bus-Express Green). The journey takes about 1 hour and a single ticket costs about 8 euros.

But, it is not permitted to enter the historic part of the city by car. A large car park is close to the aqueduct and the main bus terminal.

The fairytale town of Óbidos

You can stay in Óbidos for a few hours or spend all day wandering along the narrow streets.

Take a break and enjoy the food in local restaurants. Or, you can stay overnight in the Pousada Hotel, a little hotel or guesthouse where you can feel like at home.

The fairytale town of Obidos remains in our memories as a beautiful experience, along with the unique taste of Ginja liqueur served in a little chocolate cup…

A view of Obidos, Portugal