The Building

The building occupied by the Belgarde Heritage House is located in the centre of Belgrade, in 46 Knez Mihailova Street. Famous Belgrade merchant Veljko Savić * built one of the first modern civic houses on this peace of land in 1869. His son, diplomat, Lazar Savić ** , in his will, left the building, along with assets worth 3,000,000 dinars, to the"Royal Serbian Academy of Science" for the development of Serbian science and culture in 1921.

The civic house in 46 Knez Mihailova Street, together with buildings No. 48 and 50, presents a rare example of an entire preserved block of connected buildings,
characteristic of the architecture and urban planning of Belgrade in the 1870s.

Built around the same time, between1869 and1870, these houses for residential and commercial use, are among the first built in the newly regulated street
from the 1867 Urban Plan by Emilijan Josimović.

They are part of the important commercial center of Knez Mihailova Street and a vivid testament of the time when they were constructed, after the regulation of the Old Town. The houses are unique in their architecture, use of space, and style. They are eclectic, in line with the then current trend of historical styles, with dominant
elements of romanticism and neo-renaissance.

For Belgrade's architecture, they symbolize the move from post and pan construction and Balkan tradition towards the acceptance of contemporary European construction methods and architectural styles, as a reflection of social and cultural change. Their facades are representative of historicism, with combined elements of
neo-renaissance and romanticism.

The building was enlarged and significantly modified in 1911. The civic house in 46 Knez Mihailova Street was named a cultural monument in 1966.

Painter and Academy member Nedeljko Gvozdenović *** bequeathed his assets including 569 of his artworks to the City of Belgrade in 1980. Changes and amendments to the Bequest contract determined that commemorative
space for his gift should be located in 46 Knez Mihailova, in the Bequest Gallery, which would permanently exhibit a part of his paintings, with occasional changes of works on display.

After World War Two the building in 46 Knez Mihailova Street became public property. Its' owner became Republic of Serbia, and the Munnicipality "Stari Grad" became its user.

In 1983, the City signed a contract with the Museum of the City of Belgrade entrusting it with the safekeeping, maintenance and exhibiting of Gvozdenović Gallery.

At the moment, the procedure of obtaining the right to use the building is in process. By this, the wish of Nedeljko Gvozdenović that the city of Belgrade finally owned its
own Gallery of bequests will be achieved.

Acorrding to this, the iniciative of The City Council in getting the specialized central institution - The House which would manage over the bequests will be fulfilled.

explanation:

* Veljko Savić (1830-1897) - After he lost his father at an early age and his mother remarried to Sava Mihailović, a merchant from Kragujevac, Veljko's family left their village of Loćika near Jagodina. Sava took care of Veljko and his brother, Aleksa, as if they were his own children, so they changed their family name from Dinić, after their father Dina, to Savić.

Around 1845, he left for Belgrade to study to be a merchant. He quickly went from being an apprentice to becoming a successful merchant and after a few years he owned a grocery store which he ran along with his brother Aleksa and a house not far from the "main street", behind the Belgrade Municipality building (today the Yugoslav Cinema Museum under reconstruction).

The entrance to his property was from present-day street of 1 300 kaplara. On a part of his land overlooking Knez Mihailova street, today No. 46, in 1869, Veljko built one of the first modern civic houses, which is today occupied by the Belgrade
Heritage House.

The house had two apartments on the upper floor. The owner lived in one, while the other, with a great hall housed the Belgrade Stock Exchange. Veljko had a daughter, Stana, who married an Austrian and left the country after WWI and a son, Lazar. He left equal parts of his estate to his children.

** Lazar Savić (?-1923) Son of merchant Veljko Savić, who in 1869 built the house occupied today by the Belgrade Heritage House, as one of the first modern civic houses. He was educated in Serbia and abroad and worked as a diplomat. He spent much of his time in fashionable European resorts, and playing cards in Belgrade's inns. One of his favorites was "The Serbian Crown" (today Belgrade City Library).
A confirmed bachelor he was known as "manga Laza" or "Laza the rascal".


Despite leading a bohemian life, he managed to provide financial security for the children of his uncle Aleksa and left his house in Knez Mihailova Street, along with assets worth 3,000,000 dinars, to the "Royal Serbian Academy of Science" in 1921. The Academy created a Veljko Savić Foundation, which started work in 1924.
This endowment mostly published historical and ethnological studies, but also purchased works by the Ruvarac brothers, letters by Njegoš and Vuk Karadžić and a manuscript of "Srbijanka" by Simo Milutinović-Sarajlija.

*** Nedeljko Gvozdenović (1902-1988), painter, born in Mostar. Without formal artistic education, as a graduate high school student, with knowledge of three languages he left for Munich in 1922. He enrolled at the private international school of Hans Hofmann, a follower of Matisse, which was at the time also attended by Ivan Tabaković. At school, he mostly drew and slowly entered the world of painting. He was soon commended as a natural born graphic artist by Professor Hofmann, who
later joined the abstract expressionism movement in America.

After 1926, he lived and worked in Belgrade. His first solo exhibition was held in 1934.From 1940 to 1972 he was a Professor at the Academy of Art in Belgrade. A member of the group "Twelve", and one of the founders of the "Six" group (1954), he frequently exhibited with them. He was elected a permanent member of the Serbian
Academy of Science and Art in 1970, and was a correspondent member of the Academy of Science and Art of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The art of Nedeljko Gvozdenović can be characterized as intimistic painting. Examining the laws of painting and visual interrelations, he painted landscapes, still lifes, interiors, portraits with poetic atmosphere.

In 1980, the artist bequeathed his assets including 569 artworks to the City of Belgrade. In 1981, a decision was made for the artworks to be deposited and displayed in the gallery of his bequest in 46 Knez Mihailova Street. This was not the only gift made by Nedeljko Gvozdenović, as he also donated works to the Serbian Academy of Science and Art and the city of Mostar.

He won many awards and participated in a number of exhibitions. His works can be found in museums, galleries and private collections all over the world.