Academic Park

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Academic Park is a historic park in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It sits in the downtown area of Stari Grad, between Republic Square to the east and the Belgrade Fortress to the west. The park covers about 1.45 hectares (3.6 acres) and is surrounded by the four streets of Studentski Trg.

Built between 1886 and 1889, Academic Park is one of Belgrade’s oldest green spaces. It has had several names over the years, including Little Park and Pančić’s Park, and today it is officially called Academic Park. Locals also refer to it as University Park or Students’ Park.

The park’s history is rich. In 1968, the northern part was dug up to make room for an oil boiler tank, and archaeologists uncovered remains of a Roman bath dating to the 3rd or 4th century, with rooms for cold water, hot water, and bathing. The site is within the protected zone of the ancient Singidunum. The finds were visible until 1978, but later were buried again because there was not enough money to study or cover them properly. The area around the park used to include a Turkish cemetery and, nearby, a market that began operation in 1824. This market grew into the city’s Great Market, a major commercial center.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, urban plans transformed the area. The market was moved and the area around it was turned into a park. The park officially opened on May 11, 1897, and on the same day a monument to botanist Josif Pančić was erected, giving the park its early nickname Pančić’s Park. A large stone fence and wrought‑iron gates were added in 1929–1930, designed by Milutin Borisavljević, and the Dositej Obradović monument was moved to the park in 1930. The Jovan Cvijić monument was added in 1994.

During World War II, German forces built water pools in the park for firefighting, and residents later used them for swimming until they were filled in 1950. In 2007, the park was protected as a natural monument, and in 2008 two bat species were found living there. The surrounding area is home to many schools and cultural institutions, which is why the place is commonly known as Academic or Students Park.

The park has undergone several renovations, with major work in 2009 and again in 2011–2012 and 2015, including new plantings and restoration of flower beds around the monuments Pančić, Obradović, and Cvijić. By 2020, the old fence showed significant wear and some decorative elements were damaged or missing. The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments prepared a plan to restore the fence and repairs to the damaged ornaments.