Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Belgrade

The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zemun is a historic Roman Catholic church with a rich and distinctive heritage. Built in 1795, it stands on the site of a former 16th-century mosque, which was demolished in 1784 during a period of Austrian rule. The growing Catholic population of Zemun during this period created the need for a new church.

The church displays a blend of Empire and Baroque architectural elements and features a rather unusual orientation for a Catholic church, with the altar facing east rather than west. This distinctive arrangement sets it apart from many other Catholic churches.

Located directly across from the Zemun Market, the church occupies a prominent position in the heart of the Old Town. Step inside to discover one of its most remarkable features: a Baroque statue of the Black Virgin, carved from ebony, alongside statues of Saints Peter and Paul.

Another unusual attraction can be found outside the church. Look for the thorny tree rising more than 15 meters high, believed to be one of the oldest specimens of its kind in the region. According to tradition, it was brought from Jerusalem and planted on the day the church’s foundation stone was laid. The tree carries particular Christian symbolism because its thorns are associated with those traditionally believed to have been used for the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ.