Like many Orthodox temples, the Church of St. George in Oplenac, outside of Topala, Serbia, looks simple on the outside. Sure, its copper-domed white marble facade stands out from the surrounding forest landscape, but there’s no hint of what’s inside: over 40 million jewel-toned Murano glass mosaic tiles, covering almost every corners of the nave and the basement of the church. crypt.
Story
The Church of St. George was founded by King Peter Karađorđević I to serve as a royal mausoleum for his family, the second dynastic family of Serbia, who ruled until the country became part of socialist Yugoslavia in 1945. The site was elected to the church in 1903, and in 1907, the foundation stone was laid in the foundations of the church. But the construction of the church would be forced to stop twice in the first half of the 20th century, for both the Balkan Wars and the First World War. King Pedro died in 1921, before he could see the completion of his project.
The plan was taken over by his successor Alexander I and completed in 1930.
Today, the ground floor of the church houses the remains of two royals: the founder of the dynastic family, Karađorđe, and the creator of the church, King Peter I. In the crypt, six generations of family members from Karađorđević rest, with room for more.
Design
The cross-shaped Church of St. George was designed in the Serbian-Byzantine style, with four small domes radiating around a larger central dome. The white marble for the building’s stark facade was sourced from nearby Venčac Mountain, but the building’s exterior blank canvas is the opposite of what you might expect upon entering.
The entire interior of the Church of St. George is adorned with Murano glass mosaics. The mosaics, made up of more than 40 million tiles in a range of 15,000 different colors, including some 14 and 20 karat gold plated. The scenes depicted by the tile work are replicas of 60 monasteries and churches across the country. A three-ton bronze chandelier hangs below the central dome, said to have been made from cast weapons after WWI.
What else to see in Oplenac
The House of King Peter: At the front of the church is a small house from which King Peter I oversaw the construction of the church for five years. Today, the house houses exhibits related to the Karađorđević dynasty, including portraits of family members and an interpretation of the Last Supper in mother-of-pearl, a priceless family heirloom.
The King’s Winery: Behind the church are panoramic views of the vineyards, and down the hill is the King’s Winery, built by King Peter’s successor, King Alexander. Today, the winery is more of a museum where two underground cellars still house 99 original oak barrels, including barrels given to the King as wedding gifts from neighboring countries.
how to visit
The Oplenac complex is located on the outskirts of the city of Topola, about fifty miles south of Belgrade, and an hour and a half by car. The picturesque town of Topola offers street restaurants and in close proximity to the many wineries in the Šumadija region of Serbia.
Entrance Fees: A ticket for 400 Serbian dinars (about USD $ 4.00) purchased at St George’s Church also allows entry to King Peter’s house and the King’s cellar.
