HARMONY WITH NATURE
At the beginning of the last century, Tašmajdan Park, near Madera restaurant, was the garden of Belgrade bookbinder Selimir Janićijević. Just before leaving for war, Selimir planted a lilac tree to watch over his wife Sofija and their five children. Selimir did not return from the war, but his family and the lilac tree are still there. In memory of this story and the time when Belgrade residents took care more about their environment and lived in harmony with nature, public utility company “Belgrade Greenery” planted three lilac trees on the site. up to seven, at the initiative of the Mayor and due to high citizen demand. - Tašmajdan Park today is different from other Belgrade parks in many ways. It is a green space offering all facilities to modern standards that can be found in any well-maintained green area. Within the park there are two large, modern children’s playgrounds with rubber flooring, outdoor fitness areas with appropriate devices, a fitness path and jogging trail, special park furniture, a musical fountain, an enclosed space where dogs can move freely, a corner for pensioners, information points. The entire park is covered by video surveillance, which not only prevents possible destruction but also significantly increases security. I can say with certainty that Tašmajdan Park and the project to replace the trees of Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra have so far been the greatest challenges asked of Greenery Belgrade, as well as being the most important references for our company
in the future, says director of Greenery Belgrade Radovan Draškić. MUSICAL FOUNTAIN All children’s playgrounds have rubber surfaces which further secure children’s play and they can also be used by children with special needs. The playgrounds are equipped with modern accessories: jungle gyms were placed in the shape of a net, while seesaws, swings and pendulum clocks are in the form of animals. The novelty is a combination of devices with a slide, which cannot be found in our other parks. Children’s park furniture is colourful – in cheerful, pastel colours. The new 500-metre long fitness and jogging trail is made of tartan and there are 17 of the most modern devices for exercise on a particular isolated area with a rubber surface. Athletes and recreation enthusiasts will certainly enjoy this part of the park. There are also six drinking fountains. Some 200 benches were made in the Greenery Belgrade workshop and placed in the park, while citizens will also be able to enjoy 20 deckchairs for relaxation. The central path is built of granite and encircles the flowered lane – while the side paths
FROM THE PARK’S HISTORY
are constructed of behaton. A cascade musical fountain made from granite is set in the central part of the park. The rhythm of jets of water and lighting effects are coordinated to the rhythm of music. Another novelty is an enclosed space suitable for dogs to run free. Here 11 accessories for pets have been set, as well as a separate drinking fountain. A new feature introduced during the reconstruction of Tašmajdan Park’s sanitary facilities is a ramp for persons with special needs. A corner for pensioners has especially been arranged, complete with large chess boards. The city’s oldest citizens have gained a small pavilion that will be visited occasionally by a doctor who will carry out health checks. A specific offer tailored to the needs of tourists is represented by two information points, where all necessary information about Belgrade will be available. Dragana Marković photographs: Danilo PeTernek Reconstruction plans: JKP „Zelenilo Beograd
There was once a major quarry between the streets of Takovska, Ilije Garašanina, Beogradska and Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra. This is why the name of this part of Belgrade, now the park, is – Tašmajdan (in Turkish taş means ‘stone’ and maydan means ‘quarry’). Evidence shows that all old Belgrade structures were built using that stone. ••• The remains of Saint Sava were buried at Tašmajdan. His body was brought from Mileševa Monastery to Belgrade by Ahmedbeg Ocuz and his bones were buried by grand vizier Sinan Pasha, on 27th April 1594. ••• During the siege of Belgrade in the autumn of 1806, Karađorđe set his camp there and pitched his tent. The old church of Saint Marko was built on the Tašmajdan plateau in 1835. Its founder was Prince Miloš, who intended to mark the place where, on 30th November 1830, Hatisherif announced publicly the recognition of the political government of Serbia as well as the Berat, by which he himself was recognised as a prince with hereditary rights. The church was demolished during the bombing of Belgrade on 6th April 1941.
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