Skupština (House of the National Assembly), Belgrade

The House of National Assembly is located on Nikola Pasic Square. It's a 149,000 square foot (13,800 square meters) design with baroque accents.

The original designs for the building, made by architect Konstantin Jovanovic in 1891, had to be modified due to budget constraints. Further modifications during the planning phase resulted in the plans for a bicameral parliament that eventually morphed into the country's present-day unicameral legislature.

Construction began in 1907, and the exterior of the building was completed in 1939. The interior was completed in 1938.

The interior of the building was designed entirely by Russian architect Nikolai Krasnov. Using watercolors instead of technical blueprints, Krasnov envisioned every detail down to the chandeliers and lamps.

The design has four stories, with mezzanines in between each level. There are 100 offices, four committee rooms, and large and small debating chambers. An enormous library on the first floor has over 60,000 volumes, and the building has many frescoes, paintings, and sculptures throughout.

The National Assembly of Serbia is a unicameral legislature made of deputies. Each deputy serves a four-year term and elects a president who presides over the seasons.

Don't miss the opportunity to walk past the building at night--the exterior is lit and makes for a wonderful view. During the holidays, the Christmas lights on the House of the National Assembly are not to be missed.