Author’s Guidance Through the Exhibition “Journey to the East of King Milan Obrenović”

Author’s guidance by Snežana Cvetković, PhD and Dejan Vukelić, MA through the exhibition “Journey to the East of King Milan Obrenović: Pilgrimage and Culture of Orient at the Serbian Court” will be held in the Gallery of the National Museum Kraljevo, on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2025, starting at 7 p.m.

The exhibition is dedicated to one of the most fascinating yet lesser-known chapters in the life of the first Serbian king after Kosovo—his journey to the East following his abdication in 1889. Under the name “Count of Takovo”, King Milan embarked on a voyage that took him from Constantinople to the Holy Land, visiting Jerusalem, Damascus, and Beirut. He spent time in Orthodox sanctuaries, explored Oriental palaces and bazaars, engaged with local customs, and left behind accounts of a world that, to the European public of the time, carried an almost exotic allure.

Through carefully selected objects, archival materials, photographs, and contemporary accounts, visitors will discover the impressions King Milan brought back from this unusual journey, the treasures he introduced to Serbia, and how his personal experience fits into the broader context of European interest in the East during the 19th century. This event, both intimate and politically intriguing, sheds light on a lesser-known side of the king’s personality and offers new insights into Serbian history of the era.

The authors of the exhibition, Snežana Cvetković, PhD and Dejan Vukelić, MA will present her years-long research through a personal interpretation of the display, revealing to the audience captivating details, hidden layers of meaning, and new understandings of King Milan’s character, his motivations, and the significance of his journey.

This author’s guidance represents the culmination of the exhibition program, following a series of guided tours that have drawn great public interest. It will be a unique opportunity to experience the exhibition in a special way – through the voice of the author and researcher, whose expertise and direct interpretation offer the most comprehensive insight into the exhibition’s meaning and content.