Slavija is one of the largest and busiest squares in Belgrade, surrounding a rotunda with probably the most chaotic traffic in the city, blending trams, trolleys, buses and cars in a never ending mess. On Slavija six streets come together in one spot.
Christmas trees on Slavija

Christmas trees on the Slavija square

The square is surrounded by the Slavija hotel, a shopping center, a park and a huge bank, among other buildings. There are also many bars, restaurants and eateries on the square and nearby. The St. Sava temple and plateau are two minutes from here walking.

Update Sep 2017: Slavija is currently under reconstruction in order to make it more efficient for traffic and more pleasant for pedestrians.

Most of the public transportation routes have been altered or completely stopped during the reconstruction.

A new controversial musical fountain sits in its center. A new tourist information point is under construction.

Hilton Hotel group is finishing work on their first Belgrade hotel near the square.

Getting here:

All trolley lines (except 28 and 41) pass through Slavija, along with tram lines 2, 7, 9, 10, 14. Bus lines 31, 33, 39, 42, 47, 48, 57, 59 also stop at or very close to the square. You can also walk from Bulevar, the Republic and Terazije squares, the Main Train Station or St. Sava plateau.

Curious facts:

  • It is said that Slavija sits on a huge underground lake.
  • Two centuries ago, this was a marshland and hunting grounds of the Belgrade elite.
  • According to some architects, the main problem of the traffic of Slavija is that the center is round while the outer part is square, and together with the lack of marks it’s a perfect recipe for total chaos.
  • It’s an urban myth that when there are traffic cops on the square, the chaos is way bigger than when they’re not. Off course, it’s a question of cause and consequence.

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