Saint Sava Temple (Serbia, Belgrade)

At the top of Vračar Hill in Belgrade stands one of the largest religious buildings in Europe: the Temple of Saint Sava . But behind its turquoise domes and white marble facades, this monument tells a story of much more than faith. It embodies a struggle for identity, a restored memory.

The site itself is a symbol: it was here that the Ottomans burned the relics of Saint Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a major figure in the country's medieval history, in 1595. This prince-turned-monk chose asceticism over power , and bequeathed to Serbia a liturgical language, ecclesiastical diplomacy and a spiritual anchor via Mount Athos .

Construction of the cathedral began in 1935 , was suspended during the Second World War, and then slowed down under the communist regime. It only really resumed in the 1980s. Even today, the work is not completely finished, especially the dome covered with one of the largest mosaics in the world , created in partnership with Russian workshops.

More than a place of worship, the temple is an act of memorial architecture , a slow and sovereign response to centuries of occupation. It embodies a national resilience , where each stone laid is a reminder of historical, spiritual and cultural continuity.