In the very center of the city, where the best cafeterias and the most urban crews are, there is a gem that depicts old Belgrade. And everyone treats it with respect. Right behind the Bitef Theater, at the end of Skadarlija street, is Bajloni’s farmers market.
In a couple of years, we will celebrate the entire century since this, now, Belgrade institution opened back in 1927. First as a wholesale market, it was named after Ignjat Bajloni, the owner of next-door brewery. After the Second World War, it became a green market and changed its name to Skadarlija Market, but we believe that none of the citizens of Belgrade, and beyond, ever called it that.
Ignjat Bajloni was a Serbian entrepreneur, who moved from his native Czech Republic to our city at the urging of his family. He developed several successful businesses in Serbia, one of which was the opening of the first brewery with modernized production. Until then, the only beer production process was manual, and then the steam-powered process began. This was revolutionary for that time and his brewery was among the first to use the electricity of the Belgrade Power Plant.
He entrusted business and management of the brewery his son Jakov, who learned the craft of barrel making in Viennese breweries.
In addition to the brewery, the inn “Kod male pivare” was built in 1892. Visitors and residents of Belgrade were delighted with the garden of the inn, so it quickly became a favorite.
And the market had its own rules – with the first barracks for food storage in Belgrade, it was a gathering place for wholesalers. The fact that it had wholesale structure was of exceptional strategic importance for the development of Belgrade. Until then, all wholesalers were scattered in all the markets in the city, and it took more time to find the desired groceries. When Bajloni and Zeleni venac were declared wholesale markets, wholesalers finally found their place. This structure followed the opening of taverns and inns in the area where successful market days were celebrated. It remained that way to this day. There is always time to sit in small cafeterias and taverns next to the market. Because there is something sacred about going to the market. It’s not just a simple act of procurement. It is a special act of respect, by which the metropolis preserves tradition.
At Bajloni’s market today, you can buy the same things as at other markets, but the people of Dorćol especially love it because they have the opportunity to meet and chat to their neighbors. Stop by, there’re still old people with pork rinds and fresh kaymak, waiting for you. Farmer’s markets are still the only place where grapes are tasted before purchase and apples are received as a gift.
