Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade, SERBIA
The architectural complex consisting of twin buildings, which served as the General Staff and Ministry of Defense, known locally as Generalštab, stands as an iconic symbol of Belgrade’s modernist architectural heritage. Built between 1953 and 1964, and designed by the renowned architect Nikola Dobrović, the complex exemplifies the innovative spirit of post-WWII Modernism, reflecting architecture as an urban revolution.
Its modular cascading and stepped forms, combined with striking contrasts between red limestone from Kosjerić and white marble from Brač, make the complex a visual and structural masterpiece of Cubo-Expressionism. This Central European modernist style, originating from the Prague School of Architecture, blends functional design with symbolic meaning in both form and urban setting. The Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade was featured in MoMA’s Exhibition “Toward a Concrete Utopia” organised in 2018-2019, underscoring its importance in the global history of modernist architecture.
Damaged during NATO airstrikes in 1999, significant portions remain in ruins, further increasing its vulnerability. Recent announcements of demolition to make space for a real-estate redevelopment project by private investors have sparked public outrage, as the plans involve demolishing and transforming the site’s urban and architectural features, effectively erasing its history as a landmark of European modernist architecture and its urban and documentary significance. Political interference, alongside the resignation of leaders of public heritage institutions in protest of the planned developments, has only heightened the threat to the site’s survival.
Local and international stakeholders have mobilised to save the Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade. Europa Nostra Serbia, which nominated the site to the 7 Most Endangered Programme, has led advocacy campaigns, including public forums, petitions, and collaborations with global experts. Europa Nostra Serbia has the support of 22 organisations and academic institutions, such as the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia, the Association of Architects of Serbia, the Regulatory Institute for Sustainable Energy, and the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Belgrade. Their vision emphasises preserving the complex as a public monument and a symbol of historical continuity.
Over 350 professionals convened in April 2024 to address the site’s future, culminating in a declaration urging authorities to halt demolition and redevelopment plans. Events such as the Belgrade International Architecture Week (BINA) have spotlighted the complex’s significance, with support from renowned architects like Wessel de Jonge. Public awareness campaigns have engaged citizens and emphasised the building’s symbolic meaning as a marker of the turbulent history of Serbia and the region of former Yugoslavia.
In September 2024, Europa Nostra published a statement to raise awareness of the issue and alert local and international stakeholders. According to the Europa Nostra Statement, the demolition of this exemplary architecture would undermine the rule of European conventions and heritage protection law in Serbia, disconnect Serbian and European citizens from their shared heritage, and set a dangerous precedent for the future demolition of other protected heritage sites.
The restoration of the Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade would ensure its continued role as an urban landmark while promoting interpretation based on universal standards. Proposals include adaptive reuse for public purposes, such as a museum or architectural research centre. The preservation efforts align with European heritage principles, emphasising social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and inclusive approach to interpretation of its architectural and symbolic features. The complex’s revitalisation could serve as a model for integrating heritage preservation with modern urban needs, fostering cultural pride and economic growth.
In spite of the above-mentioned mobilisation of the experts and civil society in favour of the restoration and revitalisation of the Generalštab Modernist Complex, the situation further deteriorated on 14 December 2024, when the Government of Serbia decided to remove the Generalštab Modernist Complex from the List of protected cultural monuments, paving the way for the planned demolition for the sake of a large-scale commercial real estate redevelopment. The Government adopted its decisions in violation of the procedures provided by the National Law on Cultural Heritage. This has led to a new wave of large-scale protests by heritage experts and civil society organisations in Serbia, including the entire Staff of the National Institute for Monuments Protection calling for the revocation of the government’s decisions. A formal request was also submitted to the Constitutional Court of Serbia to examine the compliance of these decisions with the country’s Constitution.
The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme stated:
“The Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade, a prominent example of the modernist branch known as Czech Cubo-Expressionism, stands as an important component of the cityscape and layered cultural memory in Belgrade, including dissonant memorial aspects of its function in modern history of the wider region.
Today, this Modernist complex, which was damaged by the NATO bombing in 1999, faces the imminent threat of demolition to make space for a large-scale commercial real-estate redevelopment. The proposed redevelopment would have a massive detrimental impact on the cityscape, which is fundamentally shaped by the Generalštab Modernist Complex. Moreover, such a redevelopment would be in breach of the legal protection of this architectural and urbanistic ensemble which was introduced in 2005 only to be very recently removed by the Government of Serbia in apparent violation of the provisions of the National Law on Cultural Heritage.
The imminent threat of the Generalštab Modernist Complex’ loss and replacement with a new building should be prevented, in the interest of Serbia and Europe as a whole. Instead, the Government should embark upon a large-scale consultation with experts and civil society on a future conservation project and possible adaptive reuse of this Modernist ensemble recognising its complex legacy while applying a European vision, values and best practices, as embodied in Article 7 of the Faro Convention, which was signed and ratified by Serbia.
By safeguarding the Generalštab Modernist Complex in Belgrade, Serbia would reaffirm its commitment to cultural heritage perpetuation, demonstrating its potential to connect people through a fair and harmonious approach to the attributes of history, identity and resilient future.”