Nemanjina 12, Belgrade, Serbia
The building is the work of Russian architect Nikolay Petrovich Krasnov, a key representative of academic historicism in Serbian interwar architecture. Due to the building's significance as an anthology work of Belgrade's academic architecture from the interwar period, it represents great cultural value. The building was constructed between 1926 and 1928 based on the design by architect Nikolay Krasnov, the author of the original project, with a later addition of a third floor starting in 1938.
The building was conceived as a monumental structure at the intersection of the busy streets of Knez Miloš and Nemanjina. It has a square base with a spacious inner courtyard. The interior was designed according to its purpose. The refined artistry of the facades is reflected in the richness of decorative architectural plasticity, a number of details, and a well-thought-out massing relationship. The dynamic facades, executed in the academic style, feature massive pilasters between the windows of the first and second floors. The most luxurious part is the corner section of the building, where the effect of verticality is emphasized by a dome topped with a bronze sculpture representing Yugoslavia. This sculpture, along with other freestanding sculptures on the building's facades—Fertility with a cornucopia, Crafts, Industry, and Mercury—were the work of sculptor Đorđe Jovanović. The choice of motifs and symbolism of the facade sculptures was determined by the institution housed in the building. The symbolism of the motifs was defined by the activities of the establishment for which the building was originally intended. The building of the Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was recognized as a cultural heritage site. During the bombings of Belgrade in 1941 by German forces, the building was damaged; it was again heavily damaged and bombed during the NATO bombings in 1999, when the Serbian government building was exploded.
Today, this building once again serves as the residence of the Government of Serbia.
Sources:
https://beogradskonasledje.rs/kd/zavod/savski_venac/palata_ministarstva_finansija.html
https://www.mfin.gov.rs/o-ministarstvu/o-zgradi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Finance_of_Serbia_Building
