Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Topčider
| Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Topčider Топчидерска црква Светих апостола Петра и Павла | ||
|---|---|---|
Year consecrated 1834 | | |
| Location | ||
| Location |  Belgrade, Serbia | |
| Architecture | ||
| Architect(s) | Janja Mihajlović Nikola Đorđević Hadži Nikola Živković | |
| Completed | 1834 | |
| Materials | stone | |
Cultural Heritage of Serbia | ||
| Official name: Topčiderska crkva | ||
| Type | Cultural monument of Exceptional Importance | |
| Designated | 2 December 1946 | |
| Reference no. | SK 6 | |
Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, known as the Topčider Church (
Origin
During the
In memory of this "miracle", when he became ruler, Prince Miloš decided to build a church and a konak for the Serbian metropolitan bishop.[2] However, Prince Miloš organized assassinations of both Karađorđe (in 1817) and Mladenović (in 1823), so it could be the church was built because of remorse (see Pokajnica Monastery).
Construction
Construction began on 28 July 1832 and was conducted by Janja Mihajlović, Nikola Đorđević and Hadži Nikola Živković. As the workers were paid poorly by the prince, and with delays, the construction dragged until summer 1834, with short interruptions. The prince's penny-pinching also resulted in the selection of the materials for the church. The bell tower and konak are partially built from the old headstones. On one of them, on the back side of the tower, the horse pliers are carved pointing to the profession of the deceased (farrier).[2]
Characteristics
Prince Miloš donated three bells to the church. During the occupation by Austria-Hungary in World War I, two of them were removed and transported to Vienna. With other bells gathered from other Orthodox churches in occupied countries, Austro-Hungarian Army melted them and used them for the arms production. The third bell, a smallest one, survived until today.[2]
The church has an unusual
The church and the adjoining konak were placed under the state protection in 1949.[2]
Present
The church is under reconstruction, which is expected to be completed by 2015, two hundred years since the start of the Second Serbian Uprising.[3]
See also
- Churches of Belgrade
