Architects: Uglješa Bogunović, Slobodan Janjić
Engineer: Milan Krstić
Contractor: “Rad” Construction Company
Location: Mount Avala, Belgrade, Serbia
Country: Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia)
Year of Construction: 1961-1965
Year of Destruction: 1999
Reconstruction Year: 2006-2010
Height: 204.68 meters (671 feet)
Photography: kathmanduandbeyond , belgrade-beat , kasadoo , wander-lush , thecrazytourist , blic , Nenad N.
Avala Tower, a towering symbol of Serbia’s architectural and cultural heritage, stands atop Mount Avala in Belgrade, reaching 204.68 meters (671 feet) into the sky. This brutalist structure, designed by architects Uglješa Bogunović and Slobodan Janjić with engineer Milan Krstić, is not only the tallest telecommunications tower in the Balkans but also a testament to the resilience and determination of the Serbian people.
The Original Structure | 1961-1965
Construction of the original Avala Tower began on 14 October 1961 and was completed in 1965. The tower was an early and prominent example of Yugoslav brutalism, characterized by its raw concrete forms and functionalist design. Brutalism, a style that emerged in the mid-20th century, was widely adopted in socialist countries like Yugoslavia for its emphasis on utility and strength, as well as its ability to convey a sense of modernity and progress.
The Avala Tower was unique in several respects. It was the only tower in the world with an equilateral triangle as its cross-section and was one of the few towers not anchored directly to the ground but instead stood on three legs. This tripod design was inspired by the traditional Serbian three-legged chair, or tronožac, blending modernist architecture with cultural symbolism. The tower’s structural design allowed it to stand tall while being relatively lightweight, with a total mass of 4,000 tonnes.
Between 102 meters and 135 meters, the tower featured an enclosed observation deck, offering panoramic views of Belgrade and the surrounding landscape. Visitors could access this deck via two high-speed elevators, which were among the most advanced in the region at the time. The tower’s antenna, initially used for black-and-white television broadcasts, was upgraded in 1971 to support color television, marking a significant technological advancement in Yugoslavia.
Destruction During the 1999 NATO Bombing
The Avala Tower’s prominence made it a strategic target during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. On 29 April 1999, two laser-guided GBU-27 bombs struck one of the tower’s legs, causing the structure to collapse. This attack was part of a broader campaign to disable Serbian telecommunications by targeting Radio Television Serbia (RTS), which was relaying programming through a network of local stations. The destruction of the Avala Tower was one of the final acts of the NATO operation, and the explosion that brought it down was one of the loudest heard throughout Belgrade during the conflict.
Reconstruction Efforts | 2002-2010
The idea to reconstruct the Avala Tower took shape in 2002, led by the Journalists’ Association of Serbia. The project gained significant public support, with Radio Television Serbia (RTS) launching a series of fundraising events in 2004. This effort was bolstered by contributions from Serbian celebrities, including tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic, and popular folk singer Ceca Ražnatović. These efforts raised over €1 million, demonstrating the tower’s importance as a symbol of national pride.
Before construction could begin, the site had to be cleared of debris, and tests were conducted to ensure there was no contamination from depleted uranium munitions used during the bombing. Once these preparations were complete, reconstruction officially began on 21 December 2006, under the direction of the Ratko Mitrović Company.
Despite several delays, the new Avala Tower was completed in 2009 and officially reopened on 21 April 2010. The rebuilt tower closely mirrors the original design, with a few modern upgrades, including earthquake dampeners. The new structure stands 2 meters taller than its predecessor, with a reinforced concrete base of 136.65 meters (448 feet) and a 68-meter (223-foot) steel antenna, making it the tallest tower in the Balkans.
A Brutalist Landmark
Since its reopening, Avala Tower has become a beloved landmark, attracting visitors from across Serbia and beyond. In 2016, the tower welcomed 137,000 visitors, and by 2018, that number had risen to 185,000. The surrounding area has been developed into a tourist complex, featuring a restaurant, an ethno-gallery, souvenir shops, sports fields, and an outdoor gym. In 2018, a decorative lighting system was installed, illuminating the tower in vibrant colors and making it a visible icon against the night sky.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Avala Tower is more than just a telecommunications structure; it is an embodiment of Serbia’s post-war recovery and the broader narrative of Yugoslav modernist architecture. Brutalism, the architectural style of the tower, was widely used in Yugoslavia to symbolize progress, resilience, and the collective identity of the nation. The tower’s reconstruction after the NATO bombing is a powerful statement of Serbia’s ability to rebuild and endure in the face of adversity.
The tower’s significance extends beyond its physical presence. It was featured in the MoMA exhibition “Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948-1980,” which highlighted the architectural achievements of the Yugoslav era. According to Martino Stierli, curator of Architecture and Design at MoMA, the Avala Tower is a quintessential representation of the arrival of modernity in Yugoslavia, embodying the era’s utopian vision and technological ambitions.
Today, Avala Tower stands as a beacon of resilience and a symbol of Serbia’s enduring spirit. It represents not only a remarkable feat of engineering and design but also the cultural and historical continuity of a nation that has faced significant challenges. As the tallest tower in the Balkans, Avala Tower continues to inspire visitors and serves as a proud emblem of Belgrade’s architectural heritage and the broader legacy of Yugoslav modernism.
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Project Location
Address: Belgrade, Serbia
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
