Zvezdara | Belgrade Neighborhoods Names
- Nikola Igračev
- 7 min
- 21 December 2020.
- Entertainment
If Voždovac is considered the southern gate of Belgrade, then, by the same principle, the municipality of Zvezdara could be seen as the eastern gate of our capital city.
With its 32 square kilometers of surface area, Zvezdara is one of the smaller municipalities in Belgrade, but in terms of population, with over 150,000 residents, it could stand shoulder to shoulder with the largest cities in Serbia.
This part of Belgrade owes its interesting name to the Astronomical Observatory that was built in 1931 at the location that still represents the highest point of urban Belgrade (249 meters), situated in Zvezdara Forest. Back then, known as Veliki Vračar, the hill where the first modern observatory in Yugoslavia was built was called "Zvezdarnica" among the locals. In the following years, the entire area of the city, including the municipality itself, officially adopted the name Zvezdara.
From Mali and Veliki Mokri Lug on the city outskirts to Vuk's Monument, which marks the beginning of the city center, Zvezdara encompasses several urban neighborhoods with different physical characteristics, ages, settlement periods, and, above all else, intriguing names.
Vuk's Monument
Relatively small but likely the most attractive residential neighborhood in Zvezdara is Vuk's Monument. Adjacent to the city center and bordered by Dimitrija Tucovića Street, Tršćanska Street, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra, and Ruzveltova Street, this area is named after the grand monument dedicated to Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, erected in 1937 on the edge of Ćirila i Metodija Park. In this neighborhood, not far from the monument, you can find the headquarters of the Zvezdara municipality.
Slavujev venac
Between the so-called "Dimitrijala" and the New Cemetery, or Ruzveltova and Toplička Street, there is a small neighborhood named after the street located in its central part - Slavujev venac. Although "venac" (meaning wreath) is already a common name for streets with an arched shape, it is interesting why this particular venac is referred to as Slavujev (although it could easily be assumed). The reason, of course, lies in the fact that before its construction and urbanization, this part of Belgrade was uninhabited, wooded, and known for the song of nightingales. With the city's expansion, the nightingales flew to quieter areas, but an interesting toponym remains behind even today.
Bulbulder
In connection with the nightingales, although it may not be immediately apparent, is the name of the neighboring neighborhood called Bulbulder. This name is derived from the Turkish words "bulbul" (nightingale) and "dere" (valley), and it would translate to Nightingale's Valley. Taking into account that the Bulbulder or Slavujev Creek (following the path of Dimitrije Tucovića Street) once flowed through this part of the city, the explanation gains full sense. Unfortunately, the creek has long been channeled underground, but the neighborhood between Toplička, Svetog Nikole, Varovnička, and Dimitrije Tucovića streets still proudly carries its authentic name of Turkish origin.
Đeram
The part of Zvezdara that stretches closely along Bulevar kralja Aleksandra, between Branko Krsmanović Street and the former tram depot, is called Đeram. It is well known that "đeram" represents an ancient device for drawing water from a well and that its appearance is mainly associated with the flatland area of Vojvodina. So how come there is a "đeram" in the middle of Bulevar, where there is no flatland or well?! The explanation lies in the fact that the current location of Đeram used to be a toll station - one of the numerous checkpoints on the former outskirts of Belgrade where a fee was collected for entering the city. The ramp that alternately raised and lowered reminded the locals of a đeram, and that is believed to be the origin of the name for the entire neighborhood.
Lion
Lion is one of the three neighboring micro-districts named after legendary taverns that have been the main landmarks and symbols of certain parts of Zvezdara for decades. The "Lion" tavern, between the two World Wars, was located on the corner of Miloša Zečevića Street and Bulevar kralja Aleksandra and was a favorite gathering place for the city officials, teachers, and officers of that time. Unfortunately, it is not known with certainty what inspired the owner of this tavern to name their establishment after the beautiful French city, but it can be assumed that the post-war enthusiasm and the strong Serbian-French friendship that emerged during the Great War could be an explanation. Lion is still used today as a term for this part of Zvezdara and several surrounding streets on the northeastern side of Bulevar.
Lipov 'lad
Across from Lion (some would say it is part of it) and parallel to the longest street in Belgrade, in a narrow strip from Bregalnička to Stanislava Sremčevića Street, there is a neighborhood called Lipov 'lad. It is named after the also famous tavern of the same name of more recent date, which is still located on the corner of Gvozdićeva Street and Bulevar.
"Cvetko"
When continuing from "Lipov 'lad" along Bulevar towards Mokri lug, after one kilometer, you enter a neighborhood traditionally called "kod Cvetka" (by Cvetko). Today, Cvetkova Market is located there, across from it is Cvetkov Bazaar, and in the place of the bazaar, there used to be the famous Cvetko's tavern, which gives its name to this neighborhood (bounded by Bulevar kralja Aleksandra and the streets Vjekoslava Kovača, Živka Davidovića, and Deskaševa). So, who was Cvetko?! Cvetko Jovanović was a restaurateur who, at the end of the 19th century, seeking a better life, moved from the surroundings of Ohrid to Belgrade, more precisely to its distant outskirts at that time. Having earned some money, he bought a small piece of land, built a house and a tavern, probably not suspecting that one day one of the most recognizable parts of Zvezdara would be named after him. Cvetko's descendants still live in this neighborhood today, as true Zvezdara natives.
Konjarnik
The settlement that mostly belongs to the municipality of Zvezdara, partially extending into Voždovac, has a fascinating history that includes the origin of its name. After the October Revolution, a wave of Russian emigrants flooded Europe, and several hundred of them settled in the area of present-day Konjarnik. Interestingly, they were not "ordinary" Russians but Kalmyks, a predominantly Buddhist Western Mongolian tribe who were loyal to the Russian tsar. Renowned as skilled horsemen, they grazed their horses on the surrounding meadows, and over time, the entire area became known as Konjarnik (which translates to "Horse Pasture" in English). Today, this settlement is one of the largest in Zvezdara and consists of several neighborhoods: Konjarnik 1 (between Ustanička Street and the highway, i.e., Vojislava Ilića Street and Janis Janulis Street), Konjarnik 2 and 3 (north and south of Ustanička Street), Rudo (three recognizable high-rises also known as the "Eastern Gate of Belgrade"), Učiteljsko naselje (between Pljevaljska Street and Mis Irbijeva Street), and Denkova bašta (between Mis Irbijeva Street and Ljuba Davidovića Street).
Mirijevo
Alongside Konjarnik, the largest and most populous neighborhood in Zvezdara is Mirijevo, which encompasses the easternmost part of urban Belgrade. Mirijevo has a long history, dating back to when it was still a suburb of the capital city. The origin of its name remains uncertain due to various versions found in the historiography of the settlement. However, considering that the root of many archaic toponyms contains the word "mir" (meaning "peace" in English), it could be assumed that the current name of the neighborhood originated from the pleasant feeling of tranquility in the once highly serene and wooded area, outside the urban flow and main roads. Another plausible theory explaining the name Mirijevo involves the settlement of people from the Macedonian village of Mirovo, who, fleeing from the Turkish invasion, came to these parts. Today, Mirijevo is a large and urban residential area consisting of several sections: Staro Mirijevo (north and south of Vitezova Karađorđeve zvezde Street), Mirijevo 2 (between Mirijevski venac Street and Matice srpske Street), Mirijevo 3 and 4 (east of Matice srpske Street, separated by Semjuel Beket Street), and Orlovsko naselje (a predominantly Roma settlement east of Mirijevski Boulevard).
Zeleno brdo
Zeleno brdo is the name of a part of Zvezdara that connects Mirijevo with Mokri Lug, located between Matice Srpske Street and Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra. It's not difficult to assume that the name of this area in Belgrade comes from the abundance of greenery. However, what's interesting is that unlike many parts of present-day Belgrade, Zeleno brdo was not covered in forests but rather a vast meadow adorned with green grass for the most part of the year.
Mokri Lug
The Zvezdara settlements adjacent to the Grocka municipality, separated by the valley of the Mokroluški Creek, where the E70 highway is located, are called Mali Mokri Lug (north of the highway) and Veliki Mokri Lug (south of the highway). Once traditional villages on the outskirts of Belgrade, formed by purposeful settlement of people from southeastern Serbia after the Serbian uprisings, they now represent largely urbanized neighborhoods with complete urban infrastructure. True, houses, gardens, yards, orchards, and meadows, which they are named after, still dominate in them. But why "mokri" (wet)? The reason lies in the numerous springs of the creek and streams whose waters used to end up in the Mokroluški Creek, but today, along with the creek itself, flow beneath the asphalt through the city's sewage system.
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