SerbiA

Freemasonry in Serbia

The cultural heritage of Serbia's capital is vast, but for this occasion, we will focus on the architecture of Belgrade's facades, specifically the part that contains Masonic symbols or whose construction was inspired by Freemasonry. The first recorded origins of “national” Masonic Lodges in Belgrade dates back from the period between 18th and early 19th century, by establishing a Masonic Lodge under name "Ali Koč" whose members held their meetings at the Belgrade Fortress. One of its prominent members was the poet Sima Milutinović “Sarajlija”. The Lodge held its meetings in a building that still stands today at the Kalemegdan Fortress, currently the Gallery of the Natural History Museum. The building was constructed on the foundations dating back to the Roman era of Singidunum. The evolution of Freemasonry in Belgrade and Serbia has followed a turbulent path inextricably linked to the turbulent history of our city and country. Having said this, most of the buildings containing clear Masonic symbols were built between 1900 and 1940. Despite significant challenges and sometimes dire circumstances, Freemasonry in Belgrade and Serbia has endured to this day, regularly represented by the Grand National Lodge of Serbia, practicing the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

Route I : Masonic Symbols on Belgrade’s Facades

Point 1

The building at Vase Čarapića Street no. 14, was built to the design of renowned Belgrade architect Petar Krstić. The ornaments and its decorative style unambiguously direct to Freemasonry, as well as that Freemasons lived in this building. On its facade, a medallion is featuring an athlete holding a Compass.

Point 2

The Building of the Embassy of Greece and Consular Office, on the corner of Francuska Street no. 33 and Strahinjića Bana Street no. 76, was built to the designs of the Society for Technical Enterprises “Pionir”. On both sides of it, an emblem intertwined with highly stylized Masonic symbols is clearly visible.

Point 3

At Hilandarska Street, there is a house owned and built in 1907-1908 to the design of architect Milan Antonović. On its facade the symbols of the Compass and the Masonic plumb are prominently displayed.

Point 4

The building on the corner of Nušićeva and Majke Jevrosime Streets was built to design by the famous architect Jovan Novaković, upon the request of Bro:. Ilija Bogdanović. The Square and Compass are portrayed on the façade, between his initials.

Point 5

The current “Postal Museum” at Palmotićeva Street no. 2, is a building originating from 1930 with the most Masonic symbols on its facade. It was built to the design of renowned architect Momir Korunović, a “pioneer” of the Serbian-Byzantine style in architecture, and a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge. At the very top of the building, the symbols of Triangle and the Plumb line.

Point 6

The Building of Technical Faculties (Architectural, Civil Engineering, and Electrical Engineering Faculties) was built between 1925 and 1930 to the design of architects Aleksandar Đorđević and Nikola Nestorović. On its front facade, clearly visible on the left and right sides, are the symbols of Compass and an inverted Triangle, mutually intersecting.

Point 7

On the side facade of the building at Knjeginje Zorke Street, three medallions dominate, with the central one unmistakably interlinked to Freemasonry. It features an athlete holding a Compass, with a Temple in its background.

Point 8

The house at Svetog Save Street no. 10 belonged to the late architect Stojan Veljković. On the facade, above both terraces, the crossed Square and Compass are prominently displayed. Interestingly, Veljković offered his own house for the important political negotiations between the Kingdom of Yugoslavia leadership and Croatian politicians, eventually resulting in the signing of the Cvetković-Maček Agreement.

Point 9

The building is located at Boulevard Oslobođenja Street no. 2 was built by Damjan Branković, whose facade features various Masonic symbols. Bro:. Damjan Branković was a prominent orator Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia, up until 1933.

Point 10

The building is located at Boulevard Oslobođenja Street no. 2 was built by Damjan Branković, whose facade features various Masonic symbols. Bro:. Damjan Branković was a prominent orator Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia, up until 1933.

Route II : Buildings and Monuments Inspired by Freemasonry

Point 1

The Gallery of the Natural History Museum was built in the 1930`s. It was the first purpose-built Masonic premise in Belgrade and Serbia, where the first “national” Lodge, under name “Ali Koč,” operated.

Point 2

On the central street of Belgrade, at Knez Mihailova Street no. 35, in front of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, there is an unavoidable Masonic pyramid.

Point 3

Captain Miša's Building was constructed in 1863. Captain Miša Atanasić Anastasijević was a Freemason himself, and the building was used for Masonic activities. Initially, it was intended to be a personal residence, however, later he decided to dedicate it to a philanthropic foundation. It had several various designations through time – it served as the residence of the Ministry of Education, the National Bank, and the National Museum, while today it is the seat of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade.

Point 4

The building of the Society of Saint Sava, built in 1914, served as a residence of the eponymous society founded by Freemasons, members of the Lodge “Pobratim”. The main Society’s activities were directed towards education, by building schools and by financing students' education.

cartography

France

Along the paths of the Masonic Architecture and Heritage Route, there are exceptional sites to discover in the South, along the western Atlantic coast, and up to the capital. These sites are true discoveries not to be missed.

Belgium

The diversity and remarkable architecture of the Temples in Belgium, whether in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège, or Bruges, Tournai, and Namur, truly encourage exploring the paths of Freemasonry. The cultural and historical heritage is also noteworthy and will surely spark the curiosity of everyone!

Austria

In Austria, the paths lead to Vienna, rich in Masonic history, which can be discovered throughout its well-restored streets and buildings. Exploring this history takes one back to a significant heritage, from Mozart to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where Freemasonry is prominently present.

Poland

In Poland, the journey first leads to the University Library of Poznan to see 80,000 Masonic works in various languages, including 2,400 in French dating back to 1730, which were stolen during World War II by the Nazis.

Next, in Tarnowskie Góry, a UNESCO-listed town, the cultural heritage has been enriched thanks to the town hall, which recovered objects from two Masonic lodges destroyed by the Nazi regime to create a museum. In this region, rich in silver mines, Freemasonry was highly developed. In the same town, a beautifully reconstructed castle houses a Masonic museum and a temple with Masonic furniture, where the lodge of the Grand Lodge of France has been able to meet for its work. One can spend a few days there, as there is a hotel and a restaurant.

Romania

Since 1848, there existed in the center of Bucharest a ‘Street of the Freemasons,’ which retained this name until October 1940 (renamed Ștefan Furtună during the communist era and Mircea Vulcănescu since 1990). The ‘Master Mason Manole Walk’ attests to a myth of the guild of church builders in the Middle Ages on the territory of present-day Romania, which Mircea Eliade had already connected to the founding myths of Freemasonry. The country offers explorers all sorts of discoveries of remarkable architectural and Masonic heritage sites.

Serbia

A stroll through Belgrade offers many architectural surprises, revealing true treasures engraved on the facades of buildings. You will also find two suggested walks in the city, which provide a glimpse into Serbian heritage that has been miraculously preserved despite challenging periods since 1940. Enjoy the discovery !

Slovenia

The seed of Freemasonry fell on Slovenian soil as early as the 18th century, but it was only with the Illyrian Provinces that it began to sprout within the local population. Historical circumstances then froze this growth, but when it finally flourished at the end of the 20th century, Slovenian Freemasonry drew from this same source. The paths are diverse and attractive in strolls through the capital.

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