Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, at Kneza Sime Markovića 3 in Stari Grad, is the main Serbian Orthodox cathedral of Belgrade, Serbia. It was completed in 1840 in a restrained neoclassical style, with a bell tower facing the street and a calm, symmetrical facade that contrasts with the more ornate Orthodox churches built later. Inside, the highlight is the carved and gilded iconostasis by Dimitrije Avramović, with icons painted by Dimitrije Avramović and Jovan Isailović, which is regarded as one of the finest of its period in Serbia. The cathedral also contains the tombs of Prince Miloš Obrenović, who founded modern Serbian statehood in the 19th century, and of the language reformer Vuk Karadžić, as well as Serbian rulers and patriarchs buried nearby. The church is open daily from about 7:00 to 19:00, with free entry, though visitors should be quiet during services. It is next to the Patriarchate building and near Knez Mihailova and Kosančićev venac, so it is easy to include on a walk through the oldest part of the city. A visit takes about 30 minutes, and photography rules inside vary, so asking is advisable. The best exterior angle is from the courtyard looking toward the bell tower, and from the street corner for the full facade. Crowds are small on weekdays; Sundays and major holidays are busier with worshippers, and morning visits before services offer a quiet interior. Visitors should dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and refrain from loud conversation.