Information
Landmark: White PalaceCity: Belgrade
Country: Serbia
Continent: Europe
White Palace, Belgrade, Serbia, Europe
Overview
The White Palace (Serbian: Beli dvor) rises inside the Royal Compound in Belgrade’s upscale Dedinje district, its pale walls gleaming in the afternoon sun.Built in the 1930s for the Yugoslav royal family, it still stands as a graceful reminder of royal life, political shifts, and the nation’s cultural heritage-its marble halls echo the footsteps of a bygone era.Commissioned in 1934 by King Alexander I of Yugoslavia as a home for his three sons-Crown Prince Peter, and Princes Tomislav and Andrew-the White Palace began construction shortly after the king’s assassination that same year and was finished in 1937 under Prince Paul’s regency.Funded by the royal family’s private wealth and designed by Aleksandar Đorđević in a graceful blend of neoclassical and Palladian styles, it soon became Prince Paul’s primary residence until 1941, when the Axis invasion forced his departure.Seized by the Communist government after the war, the palace was returned to the Karađorđević dynasty in the early 2000s and now houses Crown Prince Alexander II and his family, who host ceremonies and private gatherings beneath its gleaming white façade and rows of Ionic columns.Inside, marble floors catch the light from crystal chandeliers, antique furniture lines the reception rooms, Old Master paintings by Canaletto, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt hang in gilded frames, and a vast library overflows with rare books.Manicured gardens dotted with fountains and sculptures slope toward a sweeping view of Belgrade, linking the grounds to the nearby Royal Palace.Long a symbol of Yugoslavia’s royal heritage, the White Palace has welcomed foreign dignitaries, heads of state, and cultural icons, and on rare occasions, opens its gates to the public for guided tours.These tours pull back the curtain on the royal family’s history and everyday routines, and they also let you wander through halls lined with magnificent paintings and soaring stone arches.Step inside the White Palace and you’ll find stately rooms filled with ornate décor and royal artifacts, an art collection boasting European masterpieces, and gardens where the air smells faintly of roses and the view stretches for miles.Book a tour through the Royal Compound’s official site or an authorized operator; schools and diplomatic groups can arrange special visits.Because the palace sits in a secure zone, entry is limited to scheduled times.Nearby, you can wander the Royal Palace-home to the royal family-stroll through the tree-lined paths of historic Topčider Park, or explore the Museum of Yugoslav History, a short drive away.Together, they tell the story of Serbia’s royal past, wrapped in beauty and grandeur.If you love royal history, grand architecture, or fine art, touring the palace offers a rare treat - a chance to step into the Karađorđević dynasty’s world and feel the weight of Serbia’s rich past beneath your feet.
