Palace Albanija and Entrance to Knez Mihailova
Why is it significant?
Look up at the towering facade of Palace Albanija — Palata Albanija, Southeast Europe's pioneering first skyscraper. Completed in October 1939 on the eve of World War II, this thirteen-story, fifty-three-meter high-rise was designed by architects Branko Bon and Milan Grakalić with Miladin Prljević.
Key Facts
| Place | Palace Albanija and Entrance to Knez Mihailova |
|---|---|
| Address | Knez Mihailova 1, Belgrade, Serbia |
| Geo Coordinates | 44.81520, 20.45950 |
| Part of Walk | Knez Mihailova, Terazije and Bohemian Skadarliya: Soul of Belgrade |
| Generated | Generated |
Look up at the towering facade of Palace Albanija — Palata Albanija, Southeast Europe's pioneering first skyscraper. Completed in October 1939 on the eve of World War II, this thirteen-story, fifty-three-meter high-rise was designed by architects Branko Bon and Milan Grakalić with Miladin Prljević. The building represents a triumphant breakthrough of international modernism and streamlined Art Deco into the heart of the Serbian capital.
The skyscraper takes its name from the humble nineteenth-century kafana Kod Albanije that previously occupied this triangular plot, beloved by Bohemian artists and merchants for its open charcoal grill and Turkish coffee. In an extraordinary feat of engineering, the skyscraper was erected in just fifteen months using advanced reinforced concrete framing and clad in polished greenish-gray Italian marble.
During World War II, the deep reinforced basement of Palace Albanija was commandeered as a bombproof underground headquarters for the German military command. On October 20, 1944, during the fierce battle for the liberation of Belgrade, brave Red Army scout and partisan fighters scaled the exterior of the tower under sniper fire to hoist the victorious flag of liberation from the roof.
The stepped, aerodynamic silhouette of Palace Albanija anchors the transition between commercial Terazije and the elegant pedestrian promenade of Knez Mihailova Street. Its clean vertical lines and polished stone facade capture Belgrade's bold leap into modernity during the 1930s, remaining one of the most recognizable and cherished landmarks on the capital's skyline. The streamlined modernist skyscraper marks the dynamic transition from the commercial boulevard of Terazije into the vibrant pedestrian life of Knez Mihailova Street. This historic landmark stands as an enduring testament to the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Serbian capital.
Step onto the grand open plaza of Republic Square on your right, dominated by the equestrian monument to Prince Mihailo.