The Palilula municipality is the largest municipality in Belgrade, featuring an interesting blend of urban village, located in the middle of the capital city and the suburban and rural areas, which gives it a special charm. Adding to this the spirit and fascinating history of this area, it’s not surprising that many Belgraders and those visiting this city decide to live right there.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The municipality occupies an area of 45.060 ha, populated by just over 170.000 residents. It is located in the north part of the main Belgrade area, alongside the left, Banat shore of Danube. This Belgrade municipality is bordered by two rivers - Danube from the west and south and Tamis from the east. North border of the municipality stretches all the way up to the Karas canal. The territory of Palilula consists of 24 local communities which are divided based on whether they are located on the left or right side of Danube, and also on whether they are settlements or city quarters. Palilula Municipality has a lot of potential in various agricultural domains, ranging from agriculture and food industry to tourism.
Palilula municipality 12 Takovska street, Belgrade +381 (0)11 3236-221 do 225 3247-060 do 069 https://www.palilula.org.rs/
Palilula community health center 16 Knez Danilova street, tel: 3224-321 do 325 www.dzpalilula.org.rs
The name Palilula is mentioned for the first time in the 19th century as “a village about a quarter hour’s walk away” from the city walls. Although there is no concrete historical data about the origin of the name itself, it is believed that the authorities of the time forbade smoking in narrow Belgrade streets due to highly flammable buildings. So, the smokers would only light their pipes after leaving the city. There are records dating from 1840 that state that there was even a signpost depicting a smoking pipe at a certain point, indicating that from then on people could freely smoke so that the citizens could light their pipes. It’s believed that that’s where the name “Palilula” (pali - light, lula - pipe) originated.
In 1860 Belgrade was divided into six quarts, one of which was the Palilula quart. Three decades later, this quart became the largest one in Belgrade, and the municipality today also occupies the first place in terms of surface among all the municipalities.
One thing that has always attracted people to settle in this area is undoubtedly the proximity of the river and the fertile soil of its shores. This is also confirmed by various archeological excavations, especially in Karaburma. Today, those reasons also include the great connection to all the other parts of the city and the availability of all necessities.
The area of Palilula has witnessed many historical events, the most important of which was the publication of the “Hatisherif” edict on the 30th of November 1830 in the old calendar (or 13th December 1830, according to the new calendar), on the day of St. Andrej Prvozvani. On this day the Grand Port acknowledged Serbia’s full national independence, granted knez Milos his hereditary ruling title and the rights to the Belgrade township to the people of Serbia. This event took place on the hills of Tasmajdan park, under which there were once quarries of hard stone and saltpetre and near the spot where the Turks burned the remains of St. Sava.
PALILULA ATTRACTIONS
The most prominent architectural attractions in Palilula include the main post office building in Takovska street, the St. Mark church, the university library “Svetozar Markovic” and the “Archive of Serbia”. Near the main post office there is also the Radio-TV Serbia building, the Children’s culture center Belgrade and the mini-theatre “Dusko Radovic” intended for the youngest audience. To this day the most famous feature of Palilula is the central city park Tasmajdan which is popular for its history as mentioned before, but now also for various content it offers to young and old. The Starine Novaka and Gornji parks are smaller in surface than Tasmajdan, but equally beloved by the people of Palilula.
One of the main symbols of Palilula without a doubt is the Pancevacki bridge. It was open for traffic in 1935 under the name “Kralja Petra Drugog” bridge and represented a connection between Sumadija and Banat. Throughout history it has been constructed and destroyed several times, it has changed its name and today over 100.000 vehicles pass over it every day. Still, the bridge still stands in spite of time passing and is an important connection between Palilula and the north side of the country.
One thing you should definitely not miss if you are ever in Palilula is a visit to Ada Huja, where there is a beautifully arranged quay alongside Danube and a port. If you love carting, you can try out the longest track in Belgrade in Ada Huja, whether you are a beginner, a pro or you’d just like to animate your kids - you can always get your adrenaline fix here.
One of the landmarks of not just Palilula but Belgrade overall is the green oasis of peace that houses over 2000 kinds of plants - the Jevremovac botanical garden. These lungs of the city are an ideal escape from the city noise: the Japanese garden with bridges and ponds, tropical and endemic plant species and endlessly relaxing greenery provide peace and relaxation.
INFRASTRUCTURE
As a city district that also includes the center of the city, there are many public transportation lines crossing Palilula in all directions. Suburban settlements are connected via bus lines 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110 and 202. Most of these buses turn about at the “Omladinski” stadium in Karaburma. The bus lines 95 and 96 can take you from Borca to New Belgrade and the Republic square. The Republic square is the turnabout point for the lines 43 and 32E, while 32 goes up to Vuk’s monument. Karaburma is connected via bus lines 16, 23, 25 and 25P. The tram lines 3, 6 and 7L turnabout on Tasmajdan and additionally connect other parts of the city with Palilula. Also, the bus lines 24, 26, 27, 33, 35, 37, 44, 48, 58, 65, 74, 77 and 79 connect Palilula with other municipalities. For even easier transportation from one end of the city to the other, there are also lines BG:VOZ1 and BG:VOZ4.
EDUCATION
There are four higher schools throughout Palilula: the IT vocational studies higher school, the Business Economy and Entrepreneurship higher school, the Design and textile vocational studies higher school and the Railway vocational studies higher school. There are also some of the oldest faculties located in Palilula as well: Architecture, Electrotechnology, Construction, Law, Machine Technology and Mining and Geology, Technology and Metalworking and the Orthodox Theological faculties. For all the students pursuing their education in one of these institutions there are several student homes throughout Palilula.
Another point of pride for the Palilula municipality is also the “Profesorska kolonija” settlement. This is a city quarter founded and inhabited between 1926 and 1929 by over 40 professors from the Belgrade University. In modern city blueprints, “Profesorska kolonija” marks an area bordered by the streets Cvijiceva, Mitropolita Petra, Brace Grim and the Despota Stefana Boulevard.
“Profesorska kolonija” brings together high standards of quality living and housing with a lot of neat gardens and greenery. One of the most famous residents of this settlement was Milutin Milankovic. At the start of the 20th century this settlement was populated by various well-known professors, including: Aleksandar Leko, Bogdan Popovic, Vasilj Konjev, Vinko Vitezica, Zivojin Djordjevic, Julije Vagner, Ljubisa Glisic, Milan Budimir, Pavle Popovic, Svetozar Jovanovic, Tadija Pejovic, Uros Dzonic and many others.
There are also several high-schools in Palilula, including vocational high-schools and the famous Fifth Belgrade high-school. Younger and youngest residents of Palilula also have access to over 15 junior schools and around 40 kindergartens, nurseries and preschool institutions.
CULTURE AND ART
Palilula municipality hosts many manifestations and cultural events in various culture institutions such as: the children’s culture center, the “Vlada Divljan” culture center, the “Dusko Radovic” theatre and others. In addition to the famous university library “Svetozar Markovic” which is a leading research center and a true architectural jewel of the capital city, all book lovers can also make use of the Milutin Bojic library also located here.
Another way in which Palilula is culturally wealthy is also the variety of various organizations that work hard at preserving tradition. The folk games and songs ensemble “Kolo”, the “Djoka Pavlovic” KUD, the “PKB Korporacija” KUD, the “Steaua” KUD - additionally contribute to preserving cultural heritage and Serbian tradition by promoting art and culture.
SPORTS
The sports and recreational center Tasmajdan is the hub of all sports-related activities in Palilula. It includes the Tasmajdan pools which are a popular choice in the summer days, the Aleksandar Nikolic hall that stages important sports activities and the ice hall. Tasmajdan swimming pools allow people to enjoy recreation in swimming pools, stadiums, gyms and spa centers.
After the Belgrade Stark Arena, the Aleksandar Nikolic hall is the largest sports hall in Belgrade. It’s also known under the name Pionir hall, having gotten its new name on the 23rd of February in 2016. Pionir has staged many volleyball, basketball and handball games. It’s used for training by clubs such as Partisan, Red Star and Belgrade. In addition to sporting events, the Pionir hall often houses musical and cultural events.
The ice ring is the youngest facility within the recreation center Tasmajdan and as its name states, it’s used for ice sports. The youth stadium OFK Belgrade known as “Romanticari” is one of the symbols of Palilula. Denizens of Palilula are especially proud of the Bogoslovija club. The Belgrade Sports Center in Kovilovo is another place for recreation in this municipality.
Sports and recreation can also be practiced in the sports center Partizanski put in Calije, the soccer courts in Krnjaca and Karaburma and the stadiums in Kovilovo, Dunavac, Padinska skela, Borca and Lepusnica. The soccer club BSK Borca was given a 13,5ha area to develop and promote sports in Palilula. Palilula also has many smaller sports objects such as Red Star tennis courts, Kotez basketball courts and a miniature soccer court in Borca, Visnjicka Banja, Rospa Cuprija.
SHOPPING, REST AND ENTERTAINMENT
Shopping in this part of the city is based primarily in those streets closest to the city center. There are also numerous malls and trade centers, such as the Zira Center which was constructed modeled after the famous worldwide malls, as well as BIG Fashion, TC Karaburma, TC Shoppi and many other trade centers that provide all content that one might need in a modern lifestyle.
If you want to rest or venture into nature, Palilula is also the ideal location. Tasmajdan park is the first choice for light walking, training and kids’ playtime. It’s important to mention that it also has specialized dog parks. Seeing how Palilula is mostly positioned on the coast of Danube, resting on the quay is an everyday activity for its denizens. The beautifully arranged quay, courts and carting trail offer unforgettable moments in nature with family and friends.
Palilula offers a lot of options for nature activities and escape from the city crowds. Any fans of fishing and hunting can find enjoyment on the coasts of Palilula and Danube or in the hunting areas of the Pancevo rit and Malo ratno island. What’s certain is that Palilula will delight any nature-loving outdoorsman.
If you decide to spend your free time another way - with good food and quality drinks, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants in every street between Takovska and Ruzveltova and beyond. The Palilula restaurant has years of tradition behind it and nurtures the spirit of old-town Belgrade. It’s hard to say whether their service is better or the menu itself. Madera, in the heart of Tasmajdan, is one of the most famous establishments in the city and they earned their excellent reputation for a good reason.
Lorenzo & Kakalamba restaurant is a bit younger, but it’s already become one of the must-visit locations to anyone coming to Belgrade. The reason for that lies with their unique interior and menu which blends Tuscanu and Pirot cuisines. For all fans of fresh fish and seafood, Konoba kod Goce i Renata under Pancevacki bridge is the perfect escape from the city crowd and a heaven for hedonists.
Those who enjoy the world of craft beer will love the Realist brewery in Dalmatinska street. Ambijent cafe and Bronx are also popular morning coffee location, but they also offer cocktails. Thanks to many cafes and bars, the nightlife in this municipality is always interesting and exciting. We can’t forget the Metropol Palas hotel which is the perfect pick for any luxury seeker.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Population: around 170.000 residents
Average housing price per m2 for purchase: around 1300 €
Average housing price per m2 for rental: around 6 €
Schools: 24 (18 junior schools, 6 high schools)
Kindergartens: around 40
Health: 1 community health center, 2 polyclinics, around 25 medical clinics
Parks: 3
Shopping centers: no clear data
Parking zones: Yellow (120min), Green (180min), Free zone
Parking spots: lots of room with occasional crowding
If you think that Palilula has what you want in a residential area and you can see yourself strolling alongside Danube or the main streets in the heart of the city, City Expert offers excellent real-estate offers in this Belgrade municipality. See our entire offer of apartments in Belgrade, Palilula
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