The marble church
White marble from Venčac Mountain.
Ljiljana Krupanj — CC BY 4.0 · Ljiljana Krupanj — CC BY 4.0 · Ljiljana Krupanj — CC BY 4.0 · Ljiljana Krupanj — CC BY 4.0 · Ljiljana Krupanj — CC BY 4.0
Oplenac is the mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav royal house of Karađorđević, on top of Oplenac Hill in the town of Topola in central Serbia. Its centrepiece is the marble Church of St George, set in a large park with royal houses and other buildings. King Peter I founded the church in 1910, and he and his grandfather Karađorđe, leader of the Serbian uprising, lie in tombs inside it. Other members of six generations of the family rest in the crypt and churchyard, 28 tombs in all, six of them belonging to rulers. That gives the church an important place in modern Serbian history. The church is built of white marble from Venčac Mountain and topped by domes with golden edges. The Berlin firm of Puhl and Wagner made its interior mosaics, which are its best known feature. The western facade is the most decorative, with a carved arch over the entrance. A long tree-lined avenue leads up to it, and the park is worth walking, especially in autumn. Parking is below the hill, with an ascent of about 100 m to the church, and the top has only a souvenir shop, so bring water. King Peter's House is close by and may be covered by the ticket. The site is 66 km in a straight line from Belgrade, a half-day trip by car. Dress modestly to enter the church.
White marble from Venčac Mountain.
A long approach to the church.
Close to the church.
Oplenac Hill, Topola, central Serbia
Six generations of the Karađorđević family, including King Peter I and Karađorđe.
It is about 100 m up from the car park, and easy for most visitors.