Topola and Oplenac — Royal Capital and Karađorđević Legacy
Topola is a town in the heart of Šumadija whose Oplenac hill is home to the endowment of King Peter I — the Church of St. George with the Karađorđević mausoleum, Karađorđe's fortified town from 1811 and the royal vineyards.
Topola, a town in the heart of Šumadija 80 km south of Belgrade, was the capital seat of Karađorđe during the First Serbian Uprising. On the Oplenac hill above Topola rises the white Church of St. George — a memorial endowment and mausoleum built by King Peter I Karađorđević for his dynasty.
Church of St. George and the Karađorđević Mausoleum
The white marble Church of St. George on Oplenac, built between 1910 and 1930, is one of the most splendid sacred buildings in Serbia. The church interior is covered with more than 40 million mosaic pieces reproducing frescoes from approximately 60 Serbian monasteries. In the crypt below lies the Karađorđević Dynasty Mausoleum, where King Peter I and King Alexander I rest.
Karađorđe's Town and the Vineyards
At the foot of the Oplenac hill lie the remains of Karađorđe's fortified town from 1811–1813. The slopes are covered with royal vineyards, and the King's Cellar (1931) preserves the oldest Serbian wine archive with vintages dating from 1931 to 1957.
Visiting
The Oplenac complex encompasses the church, Peter's House, a gallery and the vineyards — all within walking distance. Topola is 80 km from Belgrade, approximately one hour by car.