Monument to Stefan Nemanja — Attraction in City of Belgrade

Very expressive monument. History of the monument In 2017, Serbia celebrated the 800th anniversary of the proclamation of the Serbian medieval state as a kingdom. In honor of this event, it was decided to erect a monument to the founder of the Serbian Nemanjic dynasty - Stefan Nemanja. A year later, the project of the monument by Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov won an international competition. According to the master, he was inspired to create the monument by Serbian medieval frescoes and monasteries. The 23-meter-high monument has become the largest monument in Belgrade, it is located on the reconstructed Sava Square in front of the old railway station building, which will house the Historical Museum of Serbia. The parts of the monument were delivered from Moscow to Belgrade in the summer of 2020, after which the installation of the majestic monument continued continuously for six months. The monument stands on a pedestal in the form of a Byzantine helmet, which symbolizes the connection of Serbian culture with Byzantium. In his right hand, Stefan Nemanja holds a sword, and in his left - the Hilandar Charter, which Serbian historians call "the declaration of independence of Serbia in the Middle Ages". The Nemanjic dynasty ruled Serbia for 200 years - from 1170 to 1371. Its founder - the great zhupan Stefan Nemanja (Reverend Simeon the Myrrh-streaming, 1114-1199), he united the Serbian lands, laid the foundations of Serbian statehood and founded the most significant Serbian monasteries. His sons - Saint Sava of Serbia (1169-1236), the first archbishop of the Serbian autocephalous Orthodox Church, and the first Serbian king Stefan the First-Crowned (1196-1227) - made an enormous contribution to Serbian history and culture for centuries to come. The ceremony took place on the renovated Sava Square in central Belgrade on the Serbian national holiday, St. Sava's Day. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the beginning of his speech noted the special role in the installation of the monument to Patriarch of Serbia Irinej, who died of coronavirus in the year preceding this event. "Opposite us, at the end of Nemanjina Street, there is a temple dedicated to Stefan Nemanja's son, Saint Sava. We managed to complete this temple, decorate it with marvelous mosaics, and make it the best in the world. And today we are unveiling a monument to the founder of our country, who created and defended Serbia with a sword. In the Hilandar Monastery, where Nemanja was originally buried, a grapevine grows from his coffin, reminding us how important it is to have a root in order to exist. This monument, first of all, speaks about us, about who we were and who we want to become today, what we are building today should become a legacy for the future," Vucic said. Aleksandar Vucic especially thanked the author of the monument, Aleksandar Rukavishnikov, calling him "one of the greatest sculptors of our time, whose works stand all over the world, and now in Serbia." At the final words of the president's speech, the monument's lighting was turned on, after which the bells of all Belgrade churches, including the Church of St. Sava,...

The monument of Stefan Nemanja is a massive bronze statue located on Sava Square in Belgrade, Serbia. It is dedicated to Stefan Nemanja (1113–1199), the founder of the Serbian medieval Nemanjić dynasty and a revered figure in Serbian history. Key features of the monument: Size and scale: Standing 23.5 meters high and weighing 80 tons, it is one of the tallest monuments in Serbia. The colossal size is meant to reflect the historical significance of its subject.

Sculptor: The statue was designed and created by Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov.

Composition and symbolism: The figure: Stefan Nemanja is depicted in a noble uniform, holding a sword in his right hand and the Hilandar Charter in his left. The sword represents his role as a fighter for the Serbian state, while the charter signifies his spiritual contributions.

The pedestal: The monument rests on a pedestal shaped like a cracked Byzantine helmet, from which an episcopal scepter emerges. The helmet symbolizes Nemanja's victory over the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of an independent Serbian state.

Mosaics: The inside of the helmet is decorated with mosaics illustrating key moments from Nemanja's life. Location: The monument was unveiled on January 27, 2021, on Sava Square, in front of the former main railway station. The site was redeveloped as part of the Belgrade Waterfront project.

It's a...

Beautiful monument dedicated to Stefan Nemanja who was the Grand Prince/Veliki Župan of the Serbian Grand Principality (also known as Raška, lat. Rascia) from 1166 to 1196. A member of the Vukanović dynasty, Nemanja founded the Nemanjić dinasty, and is remembered for his contributions to Serbian Culture and history, founding what would evolve into the Serbian Empire, as well as the national church. According to the Serbian Academy Of Services and Arts, Nemanja is also among the most remarkable Serbs for his literary contributions and altruistic attributes. Stefan Nemanja was one of the most,if not the most important Serbian rulers, the great prefect of Raska, the ancestor of the Nemanjic dynasty, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church together with his son Sava and the creator of the powerful Serbian medieval state. The period of his rule is considered as the most important in...