Monument to Despot Stefan

About Monument to Despot Stefan

The Monument to Despot Stefan Lazarević stands on the Upper Town plateau of Belgrade Fortress. Sculptor Nebojša Mitrić created the 3.2-metre bronze figure and bequeathed it to Belgrade; it was installed in 1981. The pedestal carries medieval symbols and an inscription attributed to Stefan describing Belgrade as the most beautiful place he had found. The ruler, who lived from 1377 to 1427, was also a poet. Under his rule Belgrade became the capital of the Serbian state for the first time. His rebuilding of the fortress between 1404 and 1427 helped shape its layout, connecting the modern memorial directly with the surrounding historic site. Nearby, the Despot’s Gate and tower date from the same period and marked the fortress’s main entrance in the Middle Ages. The sculpture can therefore be understood alongside the surviving fortifications associated with the person it honours.

Sources

• www.starigrad.org.rs
• www.tob.rs

Checked 2026-10-01

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