Terazije is much more than a square — it’s the living heart of Belgrade, where history, elegance, art, and everyday life intertwine. Princes and poets, spies and actors, musicians and dreamers have all walked these streets. Every corner hides a story, and behind the familiar facades lie the secrets of a city that never stops fascinating.
1. From Ottoman Water Towers to the Symbol of the Capital
The name Terazije comes from the Turkish word teraz, meaning scale or measure. In the 18th century, this area housed tall water towers regulating pressure in the Ottoman aqueduct that supplied the city. When grand hotels and cafés replaced them, the name stayed — but its meaning changed. Terazije became the measure of Belgrade’s style and prestige.
2. The Gallows of Terazije – A Dark Chapter in History
Few know that Terazije was once a place of executions. During the Austro-Hungarian occupation in 1915, several Serbian patriots were hanged here — an event remembered as the “Terazije Hangings”, one of the darkest moments in the city’s history. Today, people pass by unaware that the square beneath their feet carries such heavy memories.
3. Palata Albanija – The Building That Touched the Sky
When the Palata Albanija was completed in 1939, Belgrade gained its first skyscraper. Standing 53 meters tall, it was the highest building in the Balkans and caused a sensation at the time. Crowds gathered to watch it “rise,” and its name preserves the memory of the old café Albanija that once stood there.
4. Hotel Moskva – 40,000 Gold Leaves and 45,000 Famous Guests
The Hotel Moskva is more than an architectural gem. Its façade is covered with 40,000 golden leaves, and within its walls have stayed thousands of notable guests – from Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, and Louis Armstrong to Indira Gandhi and Robert De Niro. Coffee and the famous “Moskva šnit” cake are part of the ritual here, as iconic as the stories written within its halls.
5. Hotel Kasina – Where Jazz Was Born in Belgrade
In the late 1920s, Hotel Kasina hosted the first jazz performances in Belgrade. It became a gathering spot for artists, dancers, and free spirits. Jazz, cabaret, and bohemian nights defined an era, and even today, its façade seems to echo with the rhythm of that time.
6. The Theatre and Its Underground Passages
Beneath the Terazije Theatre, the only musical theatre stage in Serbia, lie old underground tunnels from the interwar period. They’re no longer in use, but legends say they were once part of Belgrade’s secret network. Above them, the stage comes alive with musicals like Mamma Mia! and Gypsies Are Found Near Heaven, adding sparkle to the city’s nightlife.
7. Poets, Writers, and the Spirit of Bohemia
Poet Miloš Crnjanski once said, “There is no Belgrade without Terazije,” while Branko Ćopić wrote some of his most beautiful lines from his room at Hotel Moskva, overlooking the square. Terazije has always been a cradle of creativity — where art was written on café napkins, in hotel rooms, and in the hearts of those who loved Belgrade.
Walking Through the Energy of Belgrade
Terazije are more than architecture – they are the rhythm of the city. Here, the paths of old and new Belgrade intertwine: from Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square, through Balkanska Street leading to the Old Railway Station, all the way to Slavija and Nemanjina Street.
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Nearby stand the famous Politika building and Palata Albanija, Belgrade’s first skyscraper, which in its time (1939) symbolized modernization and architectural boldness.
In spring and autumn, when flowers decorate the central square, Terazije becomes the perfect place to pause — have a coffee at Hotel Moskva, watch people pass by, listen to street musicians, and feel the pulse of a city that never sleeps.
What to See and Experience on Terazije
Have coffee at Hotel Moskva – tradition, history, and a timeless view.
Visit the Terazije Theatre – enjoy unforgettable musical performances.
Photograph the Terazije Fountain and Palata Albanija – icons of Belgrade’s skyline.
Walk to Knez Mihailova Street – a lively mix of shopping, art, and street charm.
Enjoy the night view – Terazije are especially magical when hotel lights and street lamps reflect on the wet pavement after rain.
Why Terazije Are the Eternal Belgrade
Terazije are not just a square – they are a living memory of the Belgrade that was and a mirror of the Belgrade that is. A blend of history, elegance, art, and everyday life. This is a place where time is measured not by the clock, but by emotion. Where past and present meet each day, and where every passerby – whether a tourist or a Belgrader – becomes part of a story that has lasted for more than 150 years.
Because if you haven’t felt Terazije — you haven’t truly felt Belgrade.
