Underground Garage at Students Square Waiting for Archaeologists' Decision – Tendering Procedure for Explorations Soon

Excavation works at the Students Square, where archaeologists would look for the remains of the ancient city of Singidunum, might begin this autumn. According to Marko Stojcic, the head city architect, the Belgrade Land Development Public Agency has prepared the tendering documentation, and the public procurement procedure for the experts who would carry out this job could open this week.

The city officials have not abandoned the idea of reconstructing Vasina Street and the Students Square in line with architect Boris Podrecca's project, but archaeological explorations need to be carried out in one part of the square beforehand.

– The idea behind the public procurement procedure is to find highly qualified experts who would carry out excavation works here, the most important excavation works in the past 50 years – Stojcic says. – If the remains of the ancient city of Singidunum are found, the plan will be adjusted accordingly. In that case, we will see whether to abandon the project of the construction of an underground garage beneath the square and how to exhibit the discovered artifacts to the public. Historical heritage would thereby become a tourist attraction and be available to scientific and historical research. If the excavation works do not uncover historical layers and artifacts, the construction of an underground garage with around 700 parking spaces across three underground layers will begin here.

Stojcic says that the scope and the dynamics of the works would depend on the archaeological excavations. If valuable items are found, it could change the plan for the construction of a public garage, which would then be moved to the Republic Square.

Vasina Street Likely Archaeological Site

The plan of the reconstruction of the Students Square includes the development of Vasina Street and the plaza in front of the Faculty of Philosophy. The area taken up by Vasina Street is very close to the place where Singidunum's main street was located and there are indications that a substantial part of the ancient city, with walls, frescoes and Roman tiles, is located between Vasina Street and the Students Park.

Grad Beograd

JP Direkcija za građevinsko zemljište i izgradnju Beograda

main city architect

Marko Stojcic

Students Square

Singidunum

archaeologists

Vasina Street reconstruction

Vasina Street

Boris Podrecca

Republic Square

plaza in front of the Faculty of Philosophy

underground garage

archaeological explorations