Septembar

Belgrade » Belgrade | 79 This stroll through history begins on the ground floor of the Residence, with theFirst SerbianUprising and themost significant battles of Karađorđe's heroes - the victories atMišar andDeligrad, the 1806 liberationofBelgradeandthebattlesof Čegar, VarvarinandLoznica, aswell as the stances of the great powers regarding the Uprising and its collapse. It continuesontheupperfloor of the Residence, which has exhibits dedicated to the Second Serbian Uprising, PrinceMiloš andhiswife, Princess Ljubica, as well as his successors - Prince Mihailo, King MilanandKingAleksandarObrenović, whose murder in the May coup of 1903 brought an end to this dynasty on the historical stage. This part of the Residence also houses the Divanhana, an oriental room intended for conversing and relaxing. It was in the Divanhana thatMilošwelcomedguests, smoked and drank coffee, which he heated on themangal brazier thatwas used to heat the room. “Miloš would stoke themangal brazier, which contained an ember, and place his cup of coffee beside it, toensurethat it constantlyremained warm. The décor found here is authentic and just as itwas in1831, although it’sbeensubjected toconservation works on several occasions,” says Marković. Colourful room The Residence’s most beautiful roomis the so-called colourful room ofPrinceMiloš,wherehediedinSeptember 1860, as well as the Oratory, the prayer room, where he slept. “Princess Ljubica, in contrast to Miloš, didn’t stay here often.When thecourtwasbuilt, theywerealready in very poor relations, and Miloš's numerous adventuresprobably contributed to that. Itwas then that the prince wrote to her asking that she come to the Court, but she refused, saying: “I will not dry the ceilings of some new residence. How do I deservethat?”Ljubicawasaverystrong woman, capable of opposingMiloš, whichmen didn’t even dare do,” reveals our host. The prince's schedule Records show that, during his residence at the Topčider court, Miloš led a disciplined life that unfolded according to an established schedule. When he was in Topčider, the prince would rise early, before dawn during the summer andat aroundsixo'clockduringwinter, wash and dress, then head to the Oratory. Prayers would be followed by breakfast, then he would address state affairs with his secretaries, after which he received representatives of the people and listened to their complaints and requests. Lunch was his most formal daily ritual, and afterwards he would drink coffee and smoke his chiboukpipe in theDivanhana.That was his time to relax, often to the accompaniment ofmusic and song. The prince would then retreat to his chambers. After sleeping, he would repeat his morning ritual, then tour the estate and stables.The afternoon hours were reserved for leisure, playing cards and billiards, while newspapers were read to the prince and news fromthe pashaluq territorywas recounted tohim.Dinner was served at 8pm, and by as early as 9pmhe would head to bed. First landscaped park in Serbia Typical of wealthy private residences, themain façade of the Residence of PrinceMiloš faced the garden, today's Topčider Park, which became a favourite Belgrade excursion spot in the second half of the 19th century, as thefirst plannedand landscaped park in Serbia. “Following the end of Miloš's first government and the coming to power of the Defenders of the Constitution, thefirst public park inSerbia emerged here, arranged on the basis of themodel of English parks. Itwas fromthat time that rare seedlings,windingwalkways, streamsand sculptures reminiscent of thepark in the vicinity of Aristotle's Academy began appearing in the park, in order for the students of the Agricultural School, whose demonstrative asset the park was, could stroll and discussways to improveagriculture.” Karađorđe’s yataghan andMiloš’s dolama robe The permanent exhibition provides visitors with the opportunity to see numerous original objects that belonged to Vožd Karađorđe, PrinceMiloš and his successors, as well as examples of weapons that belonged to famous insurgents - Hajduk Veljko, Tanasko Rajić, Pop Luka Lazarević, Janko Katić, Petar Dobrnjac et al. The standout items in terms of value are Karađorđe's flag and examples of his personal weaponsandequipment: ayataghan belosapac blade, a flintlock pistol, aka the icicle, a fisheklija box and Prince Miloš’s dolama robe. Completing the exhibition are original paintings by renownedpaintersPaja Jovanović, Veljko Stanojević, Đuro Jakšić and others. Konak kneza Miloša u Topčideru otvorio je 10. juna vrata posetiocima koji žele da vide novu stalnu postavku u najstarijem beogradskom dvoru, koji je u sastavu Istorijskog muzeja Srbije The Residence of Prince Miloš in Topčider opened its doors on 10th June to visitors wanting to see the new permanent exhibition of this oldest Belgrade palatial residence, which forms part of the Historical Museum of Serbia

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