In the past, the Old Workers Colony existed in the area of today’s “Panorama Erdoglija” complex. The Workers’ Colony was the first modern, urban, workers’ settlement in the Balkans, built on the model of English workers’ colonies, started in February 1928.
The founder of the colony was General Terzibašić. The new settlement for 500 multi-member families became a town for itself in 1929, according to the project of a professor from Belgrade, and it was planned to meet all the needs of the population, such as building a park, paving sidewalks, building a social home known as Sokolana, schools, pharmacies, shops, administrative buildings and rooms for firefighting equipment.
The entrance gate to the settlement was originally made of wood and decorated with figures of slats, and later the famous Colony’s Gate (Kolonska Kapija) was built, which still retains its authenticity, from solid material with two guardhouses on both sides called “Workers’ Colony Art. – Tech. Institute”.
General Terzibašić’s wish was for all wooden buildings in the colony to be painted with the characteristic green color, the color of a cannon gun, symbolizing the settlement of craftsmen who produce this type of weapon. What is interesting to mention is that the house rules were much stricter than other city districts, because the settlement was under military administration, so in accordance with that, the house rules had to be strictly respected.
The colony also had the name “green city”, due to its orderliness, flower gardens, and many other characteristics, which is why it was recognizable as “The most beautiful workers’ colony in the country”. Interest in this elite urban workers’ neighborhood was in vain, both because of the things mentioned above and because of the good prices.
Since its founding, a special role has been played by the Sokolana building, on the ground floor of which there is equipment for gymnastic exercises, and on the first floor, there was an amateur theater, various cultural events, and famous colony parties. The Sokolana building was registered as a cultural monument and is under the protection of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. In 1999, a monument to King Aleksandar Karađorđević was erected next to Sokolana during whose reign the Old Workers’ Colony was established.
During the design and construction of our complex “Panorama Erdoglija”, we took into account that the future tenants have an urban arrangement, as well as to meet all the needs of the contemporary way of life. We respect the principles of quality construction and energy efficiency, enabling future tenants a higher quality of life.
