Republic Square (Trg Republike)

Republic Square, or Trg Republike, is the central meeting place of Belgrade, Serbia, in the Stari Grad district at the southern end of the pedestrian Knez Mihailova street. The square is anchored by the equestrian statue of Prince Mihailo Obrenović, and residents commonly arrange to meet kod konja, meaning at the horse. Two major buildings face the square: the National Museum of Serbia, whose neoclassical facade dominates one side, and the National Theatre, which gives the square its cultural character. Visitors mainly come to take in the atmosphere rather than to see a single sight. The square is open at all times and free, and a typical stop lasts 20-30 minutes, though it is also the natural starting point for a longer walk along Knez Mihailova toward the Kalemegdan fortress or east toward Skadarlija. Street performers, students and commuters fill the space through the day, and the area around the statue is a popular photo spot, especially with the museum facade in the background. Trams and buses from across the centre pass through the square, so it is the easiest orientation point in the city. Mornings are calm, the lunchtime hours bring office workers and shoppers, and the busiest and most atmospheric period is the evening, when the National Theatre is lit and cafes around the edges fill. Weekends see the largest crowds, and public events and demonstrations occasionally take place here, which may restrict access to parts of the square. Cafes nearby offer a place to sit and watch the movement, and the square also gives access to several museums within walking distance. Visitors planning a first day in Belgrade often begin here before heading on foot toward the old fortress and the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.