Famous women of Belgrade

The walk begins along Knez Mihailova Street toward Kralja Petra Street and the King Petar I Primary School — a building designed by the first Serbian woman architect, the famous Jelisaveta Načić.

We continue to the Varoš Gate and the Residence of Princess Ljubica, a woman who played an important role during the rule of Prince Miloš Obrenović.

We then pass by the Cathedral Church and briefly enter Kalemegdan Fortress, stopping at the “Little Stairs”, another creation by Jelisaveta Načić.

Next, we reach the Cvijeta Zuzorić Pavilion, where we talk about the woman who, through her name alone, left a lasting mark on the artistic history of Belgrade.

We proceed along Uzun Mirkova Street, passing the Kolarac Concert Hall, where we reflect on Darinka Matić Marović – the first female conductor in Serbia, the first female Dean of the Faculty of Music, and the first female Rector of the University of Arts.

The tour continues to the Faculty of Philology, housed in Lahovari Palace, the legacy of the intriguing lady-in-waiting at the Obrenović court – Simka Lahovari.

We then walk past Captain Miša’s Mansion and the Faculty of Philosophy, where we mention Ksenija Atanasijević, the first woman in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to earn a PhD and the first female lecturer at the University of Belgrade.

At Republic Square, we honor the names of great Belgrade actresses and opera singers who left an indelible mark on the National Theatre, as well as celebrated visual artists whose works are displayed in the National Museum.

There is also an option for a short coffee or refreshment break at the Square.

We continue down Francuska Street to Dorćol and the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky, built in 1930, considered the most important sacred architectural work of Jelisaveta Načić.

At Dorćol, in front of the church we’ve chosen as the final highlight of our city walk, we end this short tour — with a reminder that this is only a part of the story about the great women who shaped the history of Belgrade. But we must leave something for next time…