Home of Mika Alas Attraction

Belgrade Attractions - The house in Kosančićev venac from the list Belgrade Attractions was built in 1910 for Mihil Petrovic, popularly known as Mika Alas, who lived,worked and died there. It was built on the site of the demolished house of his grandfather Novica Lazarevic, a Belgradian archpriest. The famous mathematician, scientist and fisherman spent nearly all his life in this place and it is in this house he created his most important work.

A hundred years ago it was said among Belgradians: In Kosančićev venac 22 lives half of the Serbian science. Today, however, the house at this address goes almost without being noticed. As if everybody has forgotten the house and its once famous tenants. However, one name spoken loudly enough awakens the interest of our fellow citizens, and perhaps world travelers who are accidentally passing along the street.

The project of the new house, at the time of a wider modernization of Kosančićev venac, was made by architect Petar Bajalović, then an assistant professor at the University of Belgrade. Upon completion of the technical high school in Karlsruhe, the German student returned to Serbia, where he implemented a number of significant projects: the house Leone Panaiot in France Street in Belgrade, house of Mika Alas in Kosančićev venac, the exhibition pavilion of the Kingdom of Serbia at the international exhibition in Rome, residence of the Kalenić monastery, construction completion of the Music school Stanković and buildings of St. Sava community on Dušanova street, The Foundation of Kolarac, the monastery Ljubostinja, Faculty of Law, etc.

Although it was projected at the beginning of the designing career of architect Bajalović, the house of Mika Alas told a story of a skilful author. The basic scheme was a typical one-family residential Belgrade two storey house, with the main part overlooking the street with a courtyard wing. But the main facade had a little different, fresher spirit. Although academically designed with pronounced horizontal bands, the facade has shallow lateral projections with a front door, a balcony and painted and carved decorations as well as a finishing gable, which represent the main motive of the entire facade. Above the door is a circular balcony box with a chess board motive with red and white tiles in whose apex is a female head whose hair develops floral ornaments. These patterns suggest a several role models. Floral shapes are taken from the then current Secessionist style of architecture in Europe, while geometric ornaments such as the chessboard have its origins in the Serbian-Byzantine architecture. Though belonging to different times, regions and styles, these motives were given unique treatment which made the house of Mika Alas a successful architectural achievement. The solution of the facade still reveals a warm and cordial relationship between the exceptional scientist and other, quite ordinary Belgradians.
Mika Alas substantially influenced the architecture of his new home. His lifestyle and preferences determined the specific spatial and visual solutions of the house. The cellar was built with a plan to serve mainly as a wine cellar where Mika Alas housed wine from his vineyards on Topcider hill. The landings of the stairs in the main hallway once were home to figures of Napoleon and Pascal, that this French student extremely appreciated. The balcony overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube from the study was also a great desire of the great mathematician.