Orthodox Icons
Art historian led tour to see orthodox icons in Belgrade
2 hours – EUR 55
Understand orthodox icon, an object of religion, art and personal prayer
Explore numerous icons from 15th to 19th century in three contexts: at a museum, in a church, at home
Get immersed in atmosphere of peace and calm
Quick book this tour
Use the form on the right to book this tour. We will be in touch shortly after your booking with the confirmation.
Visit three places to see orthodox icons in Belgrade
The orthodox icons may seem a mystery to someone coming from another culture. We’re bringing you on a tour that will bring these timeless images closer to you. You’ll see orthodox icons at three different places in Belgrade. Each place presents icons in specific context. By the end of the tour, you’ll get the whole of the meaning of icons in Serbian and other orthodox cultures.
Serbian icon masters from 16th and 17th centuries
Our exploration of orthodox icons begins at the Museum of Serbian Orthodox Church, nested in the building of its seat. The icons at the Museum belong to the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Serbian Church was intensely reaffirming its identity and power within the Ottoman territory. These icons were commissioned for the important churches by the church dignitaries, from the best icon painters. In a way, you can consider this an exhibition of Serbian Old Masters.
Besides the icons, the Museum shows priceless artifacts that belonged to Serbian medieval kings.These are complemented by the exquisite objects hand made by Serbian medieval princesses of touching personal histories.
Icons in Belgrade Cathedral
We cross the street and enter the Belgrade Cathedral. Our focus is the iconostasis, the icon screen separating the altar from the rest of the church. We’ll see what role the iconostasis plays at the liturgy and what messages the rows of icons give to the faithful.
You’ll notice a sharp difference between these icons, painted during the 1840ies, by a Serbian artist trained in Vienna, and those we saw at the Museum. An exception to the rule, the iconostasis of Belgrade cathedral is the right spot to explain why orthodox icons differ from the western paintings of the saints and never change over time.
Private collection of home icons at authentic Belgrade apartment
Our third type of orthodox icon is the one closest to the little man, a home icon that’s been in his family for generations, a holy image hung on the wall, where he says his prayers every day.
The private collection we visit shows this type of icon. The collectors assembled 165 icons originating from 15th to 19th century Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Greece and Russia.
Who were the collectors? A successful prewar architect and his wife, whose intricate postwar destiny is telling of political and social anxieties of the time. Mr and Ms Sekulić kept the collection at their private apartment in the elegant building he designed, inviting visitors over for tea.
Practical Info
Meeting point
in front of Museum of Serbian Orthodox Church
End point
What else
oldest neighbourhoods, pedestrian zone, commercial bars, restaurants and shopping
Level
easy
Payment
Cash at the start of the tour
Start times
Fridays 9am – 2.30pm
Let’s Go!
Ready to hit the right places at right times?