Toblerone, Karaburma

File:Karaburma-0073 most-Toblerone.jpg, clearly visible from the Pančevo Bridge}}]]

Locals often refer to this unusual tower block as the Toblerone Tower ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Кула Тоблероне|Kula Toblerone}}), which is said to derive from the triangular shapes incorporated into the tower's design; the building was named after the popular Toblerone a Swiss chocolate, which is characterized by a particularly original design - just like the building itself is something truly original and angular.{{cite web|url=https://www.yoursurprise.si/prilagojena-hrana-in-pijaca/cokolada/toblerone-bar?msclkid=575e172dd7b01926c00670b8a62fdd58&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Chocolate+%26+Candy+-+Toblerone+%5Bsi%5D+%2307+%5Bbing%5D&utm_term=toberlone&utm_content=Toblerone|title=Personalizirane čokoladne ploščice Toblerone|publisher=Vaše presenečenje.si|author=|place=Ljubljana|language=sl|date=|accessdate=25 January 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yoursurprise.si/prilagojena-hrana-in-pijaca/cokolada/toblerone-bar?msclkid=24cfc99c3b3e108798a3ae319394f859&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Chocolate+%26+Candy+-+Toblerone+%5Bsi%5D+%2307+%5Bbing%5D&utm_term=toberlone&utm_content=Toblerone|title=Personalizirane čokoladne ploščice Toblerone|publisher=Vaše presenečenje |author=|place=Ljubljana|language=sl|date= |accessdate=13 February 2025}}

The residents of the nearby student dormitory »Karaburma«, in addition to New Cemetery,Belgrade New Cemetery = {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Ново гробље|Novo groblje}} which is actually the oldest cemetery in Belgrade. When the "Old Cemetery" on Tašmajdan (next to the old church of St. Mark) was abandoned - they started burying at the "New Cemetery" - which has retained this name to this day. also call this strange building "Mace-wielding"Mace-wielding = {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Буздован|Buzdovan}} or "Prince Marko' mace";Prince Marko' mace {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Буздован Краљевића Марка|Buzdovan Kraljevića Marka}} less well-known nicknames are "Profesor woman"Profesor woman {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Професорка|Profesorka}} and "Hedgehog"Hedgehod {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Јеж|Jež}} - all of which points to the inexhaustible popular imagination and also the unique originality of this skyscraper.{{cite web|url=https://palilulac.rs/toblerone/|title=Toblerone|publisher=Palilulac.rs|author=|place=Belgrade|language=sr|date=2 October 2023|accessdate=25 January 2025}}

In English, this skyscraper is officially called Karaburma residential housing tower.Karaburma residential housing tower = {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Кула за становање Карабурма|Kula za stanovanje Karaburma}}{{cite web|url=https://architectuul.com/architecture/toblerone-tower|title=Toblerone Tower|publisher=Architectuul|author=Boštjan|place=|language=en|date=1 December 2020|accessdate=25 January 2025}}

The tallest building in Karaburma is therefore a residential tower, which could be called a skyscraper without exaggeration, as it is much taller than the famous Nebotičnik in Slovenian capital of Ljubljana and also has four more floors, i.e. seventeen.

It was designed by the architect Risto Šekerinski;{{cite web | url=https://marh.mk/risto-shekjerinski-1927-2016/ | title=Ристо Шеќерински / 1927 – 2016 | publisher=MARH | accessdate=17 February 2025}} started in 1960 and completed in 1963 it is located at 9 Mija Kovačević Street next to the Orthodox Theology, which is part of the University of Belgrade.{{cite web|url=https://architectuul.com/architecture/toblerone-tower|title=Toblerone Tower|publisher=Architectuul|author=Boštjan|place=|language=en|date=1 December 2020|accessdate=25 January 2025}} This is definitely the most important point of Karaburma and perhaps even the entire Palilula Municipality, as it rises right next to the Pančevo Bridge, which connects Serbia proper with Vojvodina; at the same time, its peak is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the wider Belgrade area.

Simple people say that it is not very pleasant to live near a heavy traffic junction. Academician and university professor Vitez, also lived on the 11th floor and he became seriously ill. His parents were conscious Slovenes; they had to flee from the fascists after the World War I from Trieste and found a hospitable reception - like many other Slovene Littora inhabitants - right here in Belgrade. If a person is young and healthy, it doesn't matter to them at all; but if he is sick or old, an elevator is invaluable - both to them and to other residents. There are many high-rise buildings here in Belgrade in which patients or old persons also live - without elevators. Therefore, the great advantage of this building is that it has two elevators.

Brutalism is a style that is somewhat repulsive to the artistic taste of today's people and is hardly found anywhere else. Nevertheless, in its time, this was a magnificent building where scientists lived - the most excellent lecturers, academics and professors of the University of Belgrade; in addition, each room had its own telephone at a time when they were still extremely rare. At that time, there were neither mobile phones nor smartphones; in fact, the telephone was a real rarity; in 1969, Toblerone had 104 connections installed, as this building was conceived as a magnificent residential tower for Belgrade university. The entire building is circular inside, has two elevators and triangular terraces.{{cite web|url=https://mondo.rs/Info/Beograd/a1986448/zgrada-od-17-spratova-toblerone-na-karaburmi-spektakularan-primer-brutalizma.html|title=Zgrada od 17 spratova: "Toblerone" na Karaburmi spektakularan primer brutalizma|publisher=Mondo.rs|author=|place=Beograd|language=sr|date=10 October 2024|accessdate=23 January 2025}}

At first glance, one gets the impression that several important institutions are piled up in one location: an important roundabout, then a skyscraper, behind it in the traditional - and therefore completely different - medieval Serbian style "The Orthodox Theological Faculty of Belgrade "Sveti Sava";The Orthodox Theological Faculty in Belgrade popularly called "Theology" = Bogoslovija {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Богословија|Bogoslovija}} on the other side of the road is the famous - but unfortunately dilapidated – stadium OFK Beograd.OFK Beograd = {{lang-sr-Cyrl|ОФК Београд|OFK Beograd}} = {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Омладински фудбалски клуб|Omladinski fudbalski klub}} it is: Belgrade Youth Football Team If we add that nearby - a little further down on the same street - there is also a department of "Hospital Mother and Child"."Hospital Mother and Child" {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Болница "Мајка и дете"|Bolnica »Majka i dete«}} with full title {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Институт за здравствену заштиту мајке и детета Србије "Др Вукан Чупић"|Institut za zdravstvenu zaštitu majke i deteta Srbije »Dr Vukan Čupić Institute for the Health Care of Mother and Child of Serbia "Dr Vukan Čupić"}} = Institute for Health Care of Mother and Child of Serbia "Dr. Vukan Čupić" Let's also add that the Slovenian furniture company "Lesnina" also had a warehouse right under the hospital, then the picture of the unusual - but still very important neighborhood - will be almost complete.

Some locals believe that this tall tower block right next to the seminary during the reign of godless Tito's communism grew with the intention of hiding the religious building from the view of believers and travelers coming from afar. Many Orthodox theologians can now be real "gentlemen" in the well-maintained and enlarged building, - the Catholic Church also helped with its restoration. Now for students with selected lecturers and in suitable housing, have open opportunities for scientific and religious development and progress. But it was not so before, when under Yugoslav socialism they had to squeeze into small and poor rooms near the St. Michael's Cathedral, where mice also found their way.St. Michael's Cathedral = {{lang-sr-Cyrl| Саборна црква Светог Арканђела Миховила| Saborna crkva Svetog Arkanđela Mihovila}} has so far served as the cathedral church of the Serbian Patriarch; there are rumors that the newly built Church of Saint Sava in Vračar {{lang-sr-Cyrl|Црква Светог Саве|Crkva Svetog Save}} would be declared the new cathedral. near Kalemegdan

Interestingly, in December 2024, the Theologians from the neighboring Bogoslovija also joined the "student blockades" after a decision at a plenary session, and thus the entire Belgrade University went on strike against the fifteen-year-old Vučič's rule.;{{cite web|url=https://www.bl-portal.com/region/studenti-bogoslovije-idu-u-blokadu-evo-kako-je-reagovao-vladika-grigorije/|title= Studenti Bogoslovije idu u blockade: Evo kako je reagovao vladika Grigorije|publisher=Srpskainfo|author=|place=Banja Luka|language=sr|date=13 December 2024|accessdate=13 February 2025}} these students anti-corruption protests are clearly becoming more and more widespread.

Some have declared the protests to be "the biggest student-led movement in Europe since 1968".{{cite news |title='We are done with corruption': how the students of Serbia rose up against the system |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/30/we-are-done-with-corruption-how-the-students-of-serbia-rose-up-against-the-system |work=The Guardian |date=30 January 2025}}

File:Karaburma-0697 Toblerone.jpg]]

File:Karaburma-6363 Toblerone.jpg Yugoslavian style.]]

This unusual 17-story tower block has recently been "honored" to be included among the "five ugliest buildings in Belgrade".{{cite web|url=https://nova.rs/magazin/lifestyle/pet-najruznijih-zgrada-u-beogradu/|title=Pet najružnijih zgrada u Beogradu|publisher=Nova.rs|author=Ana Kalaba|place=Beograd|language=sr|date=23 November 2022|accessdate=25 January 2025}}

For many today, this is an "ugly building" - for some, even the "ugliest"; however, this skyscraper with a hexagonal base received an extraordinary award for excellent architectural design at the time of its construction. The static calculation for the erection of the tallest reinforced concrete structure in this section made of prestressed concrete was carried out by engineer Romić, the renowned author of the textbook »Betonske konstrukcije« (»Concrete Structures«) in two parts.{{cite web|url=https://antikvarijatstaklenigrad.hr/betonske-konstrukcije-1-deo-slobodan-romic/|title= Betonske konstrukcije - 1 deo (Concrete Structures - part 1)|publisher=Naučna knjiga|author=Slobodan Romić|place=Belgrade|language=sr|date=1981|accessdate=26 January 2025}}Author: Slobodan Romić; Publisher: Naučna knjiga; Place of publication: Beograd; Year: 1981{{cite web|url=https://olx.ba/artikal/47284277|title= Betonske konstrukcije - 2 deo (Concrete structures - part 2)|publisher=Građevinska knjiga|author=Slobodan Romić|place=Belgrade|language=sr|date=1982|accessdate=26 January 2025}}Dio 2 - Teorija granične nosivosti armiranog betona ("Part 2 - Theory of ultimate load capacity of reinforced concrete"). Authors: Slobodan Romić and Milan Lazić. Publisher: 'Građevinska knjiga' - Belgrade, 1982

Some people consider this building – due to its truly unusual chocolate name, which is only one of the names – to be among the ten funniest buildings in Belgrade. Whether it is ugly or funny – we must admit that it is indeed, in many respects, a completely original work of authorship that has not found its equal to this day.{{cite web|url=https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/beograd/3760707/ovo-su-najsmesniji-nadimci-beogradskih-zgrada|title=OVO SU NAJSMEŠNIJI NADIMCI BEOGRADSKIH ZGRADA: Toblerone sa Bogoslovije ili 5 idiota na Banjici, Crvenkapa daleko od Vuka (THESE ARE THE FUNNIEST NICKNAMES OF BELGRADE BUILDINGS: Toblerone from the Seminary or 5 idiots on Banjica, Little Red Riding Hood far from the Wolf) |publisher=Kurir.rs|author=|place=Beograd|language=sr|date=4 September 2021|accessdate=13 February 2025}}

Among the records it holds, it is also listed among the ten unusual; or among the seven most unusual Belgrade buildings.{{cite web|url=https://rentastan.com/blog/10-neobicnih-zgrada-u-beogradu/|title=10 neobičnih zgrada u Beogradu (10 most unusual buildings in Belgrade)|publisher=Rentastan|author=Apartmani|place=Beograd|language=sr|date= |accessdate=13 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://mondo.rs/Info/Beograd/a1803607/Sedam-najneobicnijih-zgrada-u-Beogradu.html|title= Sedam najneobičnijih zgrada u Beogradu (Seven most unusual buildings in Belgrade)|publisher=Mondo.rs|author=|place=Beograd|language=sr|date= |accessdate=13 February 2025}}

It is therefore surprising that, despite so many good articles describing Belgrade and its buildings in Serbian or Croatian, there is not (yet) one about the Toblerone Tower on Wikipedia.

There is another similar building in Belgrade, which is called "Toblerone II"; this is because it is quite similar to the "real" Toblerone next to the Theological Seminary, the New Cemetery and the OFK stadium of Karaburma; however, this building also has another "affectionate" name, and it is also called the "Single Hotel": ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Самачки хотел|Samački hotel}}) the first name is for its shape, the second for its purpose. This building is located in the old center of Belgrade – in Dorćol.{{cite web|url=https://mondo.rs/Info/Beograd/a1154068/Zgrade-u-Beogradu-Toblerone-2.html|title= Neobične zgrade Beograda: Toblerone 2 (Unusual Buildings of Belgrade: Toblerone II) (VIDEO)|publisher=Mondo.rs|author=|place=Beograd|language=sr|date=20 December 2018|accessdate=13 February 2025}}

It is incredible how much interest and admiration for brutalist architecture in general - and especially for the Yugoslavian direction, which is still receiving extraordinary emphasis in a significant part of Belgradian - is shown by random visitors, travelers and experts or construction enthusiasts who today forward their observations online to their followers or friends; the responses show that they enthusiastically review their thorough reports, complete with original photos, in which our controversial Toblerone receives a flattering assessment.

; Toblerone – Karaburma Housing Tower Building{{cite web|url=https://www.mywanderlust.pl/belgrade-brutalist-architecture/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIhOoxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeV8Rebj18s2utLwvQdSr1bNx7NnkYt2rWEvtQ6-08TpXpHCBpCqlTvvnA_aem__aNhJq5Ru2_cN4i2Eb9b_w|title=Guide to Belgrade brutalist architecture - over 20 concrete masterpieces|publisher=My Wanderlust.pl|author=Kami|place=|language=en|date=13 May 2022|accessdate=18 February 2025}}

: This residential building looks like a Toblerone chocolate is a must to see for all the fans of brutalist architecture! It’s impressive to see how far the imagination of the architects could go and how funky structures were built from the concrete. I only wish to see how the flats with triangle shapes look like inside.

Over time, brutalist art is becoming more and more interesting; one of the reasons is probably its slow disappearance, because such buildings are by no means easy prey for restorers. It has turned out that its skeleton - reinforced concrete - is simply not as durable and resistant to external influences as was thought when it was invented - because its shortcomings become increasingly apparent only after a certain amount of time has passed. Therefore, not only such works of art - often, unfortunately, also "more beautiful" examples of classicism and other types, instead of expensive renovation, the owners of such buildings simply demolish them and build some building in a different style or even without any artistic value. Thus, we read in the responses to the reports mentioned here that the famous Sava Center, built in the brutalist style, has come into private hands and that they have begun to restore it on their own. Vučič, actual president, did not have it renovated, but had the Hotel Jugoslavija demolished, where a new, glass building was to be built as part of the planned and partially implemented Belgrade on the Water.

Despite some demolitions or radical renovations, much of this unique art remains intact, original and interesting.{{cite web|url=https://www.mywanderlust.pl/belgrade-brutalist-architecture/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIhOoxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeV8Rebj18s2utLwvQdSr1bNx7NnkYt2rWEvtQ6-08TpXpHCBpCqlTvvnA_aem__aNhJq5Ru2_cN4i2Eb9b_w|title=Guide to Belgrade brutalist architecture - over 20 concrete masterpieces|publisher=My Wanderlust.pl|author=Kami|place=|language=en|date=13 May 2022|accessdate=18 February 2025}}

• Karaburma
• Brutalist architecture
• Reinforced concrete
• Bogoslovija, Belgrade

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|22em}}

;English

• [https://architectuul.com/architecture/toblerone-tower Toblerone Tower, Karaburma, Belgrade, Serbia| Architectuul Bostjan]
• [https://theamazingtraveler.com/brutalist-architecture-belgrade-serbia/#:~:text=Eastern%20Europe%2C%20and%20particularly%20Belgrade%2C%20is%20known%20for,part%20of%20a%20special%20architectural%20style%20called%20%E2%80%9Cbrutalism.%E2%80%9D 20 Communist-Era Brutalist Buildings in Belgrade - The Amazing Traveler by Danielle Koch]
• [https://www.instagram.com/simondrive/p/C_u6VO7tlss/ Simon Guidi | Toblerone Building . #belgrade #serbia #travel #beograd #tobleronebuilding #brutalistarchitecture #belgrad #belgradenightlife... | Instagram]
• [https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=toblerone+karaburma&qpvt=Toblerone+Karaburma&form=IGRE&first=1 Pictures of Toblerone Tower in Karaburma]
• [https://www.rferl.org/a/unusual-yugoslav-architecuture-gets-new-fans/30248286.html Brutal Beauty: Unusual Yugoslav Architecture Wins New Fans By RFE/RL]
• [https://www.greyscape.com/architects/karaburma-residential-housing-tower/ Karaburma Residential Housing Tower - Greyscape]
• [https://kr.pinterest.com/pin/6262886962612894/ Pinterest page]
• [https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Rista-Sekerinski-Residential-tower-for-professors-of-University-of-Belgrade-in_fig5_297886589 Rista Šekerinski, Residential tower for professors of University of Belgrade| Download Scientific Diagram]

;Serbian

• [https://www.011info.com/upoznaj-beograd/karaburma-crni-prsten-na-stenovitom-rtu Karaburma - crni prsten na stenovitom rtu Nikolina Radovanović]
• [https://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/beograd/2937462-kako-je-karaburma-dobila-ime-originalni-turski-naziv-nema-veze-s-crnim-burmama-ako-na-to-mislite-foto KAKO JE KARABURMA DOBILA IME? Originalni turski naziv nema veze s crnim burmama, ako na to mislite! - Telegraf.rs]
• [https://www.glavne.com/brutalizam-u-beogradu-ljubav-prema-betonu/ Milan Živanović: Brutalizam u Beogradu, Ljubav prema betonu]
• [https://www.planplus.rs/magazin/palilula-imena-beogradskih-kvartova/540 Palilula | Imena beogradskih kvartova | PlanPlus.rs]

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Category:Brutalist architecture in Europe

Category:Brutalist architecture in Serbia

Category:Towers completed in 1963

Category:Buildings and structures in Belgrade

Category:Palilula, Belgrade