CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL IN BELGRADE

Abstract

The paper gives a brief history of the Cathedral in Belgrade with a special reference to its construction. The first mention of the church dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel comes from 1578, although the church is almost certainly medieval. During the time of Metropolitan Moisej 1725-33, it was thoroughly restored. The Turks captured Belgrade on September 2, 1739, looted the church and tore down its vaults. On that occasion, Cuba also suffered. Later, the people of Belgrade received permission from the Turks to build new vaults for their church, but those vaults must not be high. The old church was demolished in August 1836, and the construction of the new church began on April 28, 1837. By the Transfiguration in 1838, the church was brought up to the roof, by 1841 the tower was covered and built, and from 1841 to 1845 interior works were carried out: painting, woodcarving and goldsmithing. The draft for the iconostasis was made in 1841. the famous sculptor and foundry Dimitrije Petrović. However, he did not finish this work, but quarreled with the Municipality and returned to Vienna, where he lived permanently. Others completed the design of the iconostasis and made plans for the choir, pulpit and thrones for the prince and the metropolitan. In 1841, an academic painter, Dimitrije Avramović, was invited, and he was given the task of making the iconostasis for the new church, and painting the entire interior. Avramović completed this work in the fall of 1845. On November 5, 1845, Metropolitan Petar, with twelve priests and six deacons, consecrated the Belgrade Cathedral.