QF92+VC, Prince Alexander Karađorđević Boulevard, Belgrade, Serbia
The palace complex in Dedinje was built between 1924 and 1936 on the estate of King Alexander I Karađorđević as a private family residence. It was the home of King Alexander I and King Peter II. Today, it is the home of Crown Prince Alexander II and his family.
It is located in the most prominent spot on Dedinje Hill, creating a harmonious palace-park ensemble with a natural setting. The complex consists of a series of consecutively standing buildings. These include the Straw House, the Royal Court (a large white stone villa in the Serbian-Byzantine style) with a palace kitchen. It also includes a chapel dedicated to Saint Apostle Andrew the First-Called, who is the patron and baptismal glory of the royal House; it was built modeled after the church of the Monastery of Saint Andrew on Treska. Next are the buildings of the court steward, the court guard, and the court gendarmerie. The White Court building, located in the same complex as the royal court, was built at the request of King Alexander I as a residence for his sons, Crown Prince Peter (the future King Peter II), and princes Tomislav and Andrew. King Alexander expected that his sons would need their own space when they grew up. Next to it are the kitchen and garage facilities, as well as the palace park with a white pavilion, a concert terrace, and a swimming pool. Most of the complex was realized according to the designs of architects Živojin Nikolić and academician Nikolai Krasnov from the Royal Academy, who was the chief designer. The White Court building was realized based on a competition-winning design by architect Alexander Đorđević. Some of the most famous artists, decorators, and architects participated in the construction and landscaping of the buildings comprising the complex, among whom special recognition is given to Russian architects Viktor Lukomski, Sergey Smirnov, and Nikolai Krasnov. The complex is notable both for the interior decoration of the buildings and for its rich collection of artworks, among which special places are held by collections of European and Yugoslav paintings, Yugoslav sculpture, carpets and tapestries, silverware, porcelain and glass items, furniture collections, and a library.
As the only surviving royal residence in Serbia, the palace complex in Dedinje holds special cultural and historical value and is an important testament to the development of Serbian statehood over more than a century. By choosing the location where it was built, creating harmony between architectural solutions and the natural environment, and arranging one of the most spacious and beautiful park areas, the architects created a place possessing both natural and cultural value. As a residence and a venue for protocol and official events attended by world-renowned political and state figures, the palace stands as a witness to important events in national and world history.
Sources:
