Zemun Cemetery, Belgrade

Zemun Cemetery, situated on picturesque Gardoš Hill, is an important cultural and historical landmark that reflects the diverse communities that have shaped Zemun over the centuries.

The origins of the cemetery date to the period after 1717, when Zemun passed from Ottoman to Habsburg control. Initially established for the Catholic population, the cemetery expanded by the late 18th century to accommodate the Orthodox community as well.

Over the centuries, Zemun Cemetery became the final resting place of numerous prominent local figures, artists, scientists and soldiers. By the mid-20th century, it had largely reached its present size, leading to plans for additional burial grounds elsewhere. Today, the historic cemetery remains in use, primarily serving families with existing burial plots.

As you explore, notice how the cemetery is divided into sections reflecting Zemun’s different religious communities. The Orthodox section contains several notable monuments, including the Church of Saint Demetrius, erected in 1876 as an endowment of the Petrović-Hariš merchant family, and a chapel belonging to the Spirta family dating from around 1911. You can also find a monument commemorating Serbian soldiers from World War I, along with historically and artistically significant graves decorated with sculptures.

The Catholic section contains a chapel dating from 1763, as well as the stylized Treščik family chapel from 1909. Look for the striking Neo-Gothic Crucifixion and the graves of nuns who contributed to Zemun’s hospitals and schools.

Particularly noteworthy is the Jewish cemetery, one of the oldest in Serbia and in continuous use since 1739. Its varied stone memorials range from traditional inscribed slabs to more modern tombstones, together preserving another important layer of Zemun’s multicultural history.