Terazije Fountain and Historic Hotel Moskva

Why is it significant?

You have entered Terazije, Belgrade's historic central commercial boulevard and gathering place. Before you stands the Terazije Fountain — Terazijska česma, an elegant eight-meter stone drinking fountain erected in 1860 by Prince Miloš Obrenović to mark his return to power and the departure of the…

Key Facts

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You have entered Terazije, Belgrade's historic central commercial boulevard and gathering place. Before you stands the Terazije Fountain — Terazijska česma, an elegant eight-meter stone drinking fountain erected in 1860 by Prince Miloš Obrenović to mark his return to power and the departure of the Ottoman garrison. Directly across the plaza rises Hotel Moskva, an undisputed architectural icon and one of the oldest operational grand hotels in the Balkans.

Inaugurated in January 1908 by King Peter the First, Hotel Moskva was designed by architect Jovan Ilkić and St. Petersburg engineers in the opulent Russian Secession style. Its dazzling facade is clad in gleaming yellowish-green ceramic tiles and majolica panels manufactured by the famous Zsolnay porcelain factory in Pécs, Hungary. The roof features a magnificent mosaic panel entitled Russia Glorifying the Arts.

For over a century, the Viennese-style cafe on Hotel Moskva's ground floor has served as the unofficial parlor of Serbian culture and European diplomacy. Its marble tables have seated an astonishing roster of historical luminaries: Albert Einstein, Leon Trotsky, Maxim Gorky, Jean-Paul Sartre, Indira Gandhi, and Orson Welles. Here, hotel pastry chefs created the famous Moskva Šnit, a luscious cherry-almond cake that remains the hotel's signature dessert.

The shimmering ceramic facade of Hotel Moskva, with its ornate iron balconies and art nouveau flourishes, exudes the romantic glamour of the Belle Époque. The soothing splash of the Terazijska česma provides a timeless soundtrack to the bustle of the boulevard, where Belgrade's aristocratic heritage and modern energy seamlessly intertwine. Sitting on the historic terrace of Hotel Moskva over coffee and pastry allows visitors to immerse themselves in the grand tradition of Central European cafe culture. This historic landmark stands as an enduring testament to the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Serbian capital.

Walk north along Terazije toward the historic Palace Albanija at the southern gateway to Knez Mihailova Street.