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Keys Handover Memorial

The Keys Handover Memorial is a commemorative site in Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade, in the urban municipality of Stari Grad. It marks the public reading of the firman by Sultan Abdulaziz that transferred the fortresses of Belgrade, Šabac, Smederevo, and Kladovo to Prince Michael III Obrenović and the Serbian people, an important step toward the independence of the Principality of Serbia. The memorial monument was erected in 1967 to mark the centenary of this historic event. It takes the form of a stone block with a relief by sculptor Mihailo Paunović, based on a drawing by Adam Stefanović.

Keys Handover Memorial stone block with Cyrillic inscription and relief of figures exchanging keys
The Keys Handover Memorial shows a carved stone relief with an inscription on its front face.
© · Public domain
Keys Handover Memorial with a stone relief of several figures and Cyrillic inscription in a park
The Keys Handover Memorial features a carved stone relief and inscription in a wooded park setting.
August 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
Keys Handover Memorial stone monument with Cyrillic inscription and bas-relief figures in a park
The Keys Handover Memorial stands in a landscaped park setting with carved text and a bas-relief scene.
September 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Keys Handover Memorial stone monument with a relief of historical figures and Cyrillic inscription
The Keys Handover Memorial in a leafy park setting, showing a stone relief and Cyrillic inscription.
September 2007 © · CC BY 3.0
Keys Handover Memorial stone relief with figures and Cyrillic inscription
The Keys Handover Memorial shows a carved historical scene with an inscription in Cyrillic.
August 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

Typecommemorative memorial site with a memorial stele
TitleKeys Handover Memorial

Location and ownership

Protection statusDeclared a Protected Historic Landmark in 1991; listed as a protected memorial site of the Republic of Serbia; listed as a protected cultural property of the City of Belgrade
LocationKalemegdan Park, Belgrade, Serbia
PlacementOn the right side of the main entrance to Kalemegdan

Historical context

Commemorated eventThe ceremonial handover and public reading of the firman of Sultan Abdülaziz transferring the fortresses of Belgrade, Šabac, Smederevo, and Kladovo to Prince Mihailo Obrenović and the Serbian people
Date of commemorated event30 March 1867 / 6 April 1867
Occasion for erectionCentenary of the commemorated event
Political significanceMarked an important step toward Serbian independence and international recognition, while Serbia still retained other vassal obligations such as paying tribute to the Sublime Porte and flying Turkish flags
MeaningReturn of the cities to Serbian care and management
PurposeCreated to mark the spot for future generations

Creator

Relief sculptorMihailo Paunović
Relation of drawing artist to eventContemporary of the event
Relief drawing byAdam Stefanović

Physical characteristics

FormStone block

Materials

MaterialWhite marble block

Technique

ReliefCarved relief depicting the Ottoman pasha handing the keys of the Belgrade Fortress to Prince Mihailo

Appearance

Background elementsA bell tower and a minaret that stood in Kalemegdan at the time

History and restoration

Erected1967
CelebrationA celebration accompanied the occasion

Significance

Historical significanceHas historical importance as a material evidence of the event