Temple of Saint Sava and Royal Crypt of Prince Lazar
Why is it significant?
Cross the threshold into the Temple of Saint Sava — Hram Svetog Save, one of the largest and most magnificent Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
Key Facts
| Place | Temple of Saint Sava and Royal Crypt of Prince Lazar |
|---|---|
| Address | Krušedolska 2a, Belgrade, Serbia |
| Geo Coordinates | 44.79800, 20.46980 |
| Part of Walk | Vračar Plateau, Saint Sava Temple and Slavija Square: Crown of Belgrade |
| Generated | Generated |
Cross the threshold into the Temple of Saint Sava — Hram Svetog Save, one of the largest and most magnificent Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Designed in the 1930s by master architects Bogdan Nestorović and Aleksandar Deroko, the cathedral covers an interior area of three thousand five hundred square meters. Its central dome spans thirty-one meters across, reaching a height of seventy meters, crowned by a twelve-meter gold-plated cross that rises eighty-two meters above the city.
The interior mosaic decoration is an unprecedented marvel of modern sacred art: over fifteen thousand square meters of domes, vaults, and apses are enveloped in brilliant glass smalt and pure gold leaf. The colossal central dome mosaic of the Ascension of Christ, crafted by a master team led by Russian academician Nikolai Mukhin, features a four-meter-wide face of Christ that gazes down with transcendent mercy.
Descend the ceremonial marble staircase to the subterranean crypt of Holy Prince Lazar, located seven meters beneath the cathedral floor. Spanning nearly two thousand square meters, this underground sanctuary is decorated with breathtaking Byzantine-style frescoes, carved marble balustrades, and crystal chandeliers. It contains the royal burial vaults of Serbian patriarchs, including the tomb of Patriarch Irinej, laid to rest here in November 2020.
The overwhelming vastness of the nave, the radiant shimmer of gold mosaics illuminated by thousands of candles, and the acoustic resonance of liturgical chants leave visitors spellbound. Able to welcome over ten thousand worshippers simultaneously, the Temple of Saint Sava stands as a triumphant spiritual beacon for all of Eastern Orthodoxy. The golden glow of the mosaics and the serene majesty of the crypt leave a lasting impression of spiritual beauty and architectural triumph on every visitor. This historic landmark stands as an enduring testament to the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Serbian capital.
Exit through the southern portal to the intimate historic Small Church of Saint Sava nearby.