The City

A fast development of Belgrade began in 1841 when it became the capital of Principality of Serbia. From street lanterns at the beginning of the 19th century, Belgrade entered the 20th century with electric lighting, developed infrastructure and regulated streets, plumbing and streetcar traffic. The city’s social life was modelled on those of Vienna, Pest and Paris. However, a city that was exposed to the devastation of war every few decades was unable to sustain its continual development. Multi-storey houses, wells and streets paved with heavy stones were developed. In order to control the city’s urban development a plan was made, by which city space and new building area was made in detail.

Daily Life Images

In daily life, changes were evident in fashion and customs, but modernization of social lives left its impact above all in food and housing culture, manner of dress and entertainment.

The Capital of Yugoslavia

After the Great War Belgrade became the capital of newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (1929. Yugoslavia). From 1924 onwards, when the Kingdom’s economy somehow overcame post-war crisis, Belgrade entered into the spirit of new times. It became the centre for artists and intellectuals from all parts of Yugoslavia. Russian emigrants left particularly strong mark, especially on its architecture, science, opera, ballet, theatre and fashion.

Belgrade has a surprisingly young coat of arms as a centre of a nation for numerous centuries. It was not until 1995 when a decision was made to declare the coat of arms designed by painter Djordje Andrejević-Kun in 1931 as the coat of arms of the City of Belgrade, though with minor heraldic and graphic corrections.

The Unity of Diversity

Belgrade has had a multicultural and multi-ethnic society for centuries. Its location has characteristic features, which originate from the mixture of various international religions and cultures. Its history, where various social-economic systems took place, encompasses various ethnic groups in their historical and cultural integrity and interaction. Belgrade has retained its cosmopolitan spirit. It was and remains a city of tolerance, open to everybody, who wishes to live in it, where nationality is irrelevant, where it only matters to bow down and become inhabitant of Belgrade!