BIGZ Building: Belgrade's Iconic Creative Powerhouse
August 16, 2025
I spent about two hours exploring the unique spaces of BIGZ building, wandering through its graffiti-covered corridors and discovering unexpected art studios. The building offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into Belgrade's alternative cultural scene, with plenty of photography opportunities and a sense of urban discovery.
BIGZ building transforms an abandoned printing factory into Belgrade's most unexpected urban canvas, where industrial architecture meets underground creativity. Discover the secret world where street art, music, and urban exploration collide in one massive concrete landmark.
Need-to-Know Info Before Visiting BIGZ Building
BIGZ building Address
Bulevar Vojvode Miลกiฤa 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
BIGZ building Opening Hours
- ๐ Monday-Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
- ๐ Saturday-Sunday: Limited Access/Varies
- ๐ Check Website for Current Schedule
How to get to BIGZ building
- ๐ By car: Parking available on site
- ๐ Public transport: Bus lines 23, 37, 51 stop nearby
- ๐ Rideshare: Uber and local taxi services accessible
What is BIGZ building known for?
- Massive former printing house transformed into creative arts center
- Iconic example of Yugoslav modernist architecture from 1930s
- Home to artist studios, music spaces, and underground cultural events
What is BIGZ building in Belgrade?
The BIGZ building stands as a prime example of Belgrade's urban transformation, converting an abandoned printing factory into a cultural hotspot that attracts photographers, artists, and urban explorers. Located in the New Belgrade area, this massive white concrete structure from the 1930s now serves as an unofficial art center where street artists, musicians, and creative professionals have carved out studios and performance spaces. Its massive scale dominates the cityscape - a 12-story monument to Yugoslav architectural design that stretches over 30,000 square meters. Graffiti covers its exterior walls, turning the building into an open-air canvas that draws urban art enthusiasts from across Serbia and international travelers seeking alternative cultural experiences. While not a traditional tourist destination, BIGZ has become a landmark for those interested in understanding Belgrade's contemporary creative scene, offering glimpses into the city's post-industrial reimagining. Skateboarders, photographers, and underground music fans consider this site a hidden gem, using its expansive concrete surfaces and abandoned spaces for spontaneous art installations and impromptu performances.
Top things to do at BIGZ building
- Explore underground street art galleries hidden throughout the building's abandoned floors
- Photography tours capturing urban decay and graffiti artwork across the building's exterior and interior spaces
- Check out independent music and art studios where local creatives work and occasionally host open events
- Skateboard in the building's expansive concrete ground floor and surrounding parking areas (with appropriate permissions)
- Attend occasional underground music concerts and art installations hosted in the building's unique industrial spaces
- Join guided urban exploration tours that provide historical context about the building's transformation from printing house to cultural center
History of BIGZ building
- 1930s: Original construction as a printing factory during the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
- 1940s-1950s: Survived World War II and became a key industrial site in socialist Yugoslavia
- 1970s: Served as the primary printing house for major Yugoslav publishing companies
- 1990s: Declined with the breakup of Yugoslavia and economic challenges
- 2000s: Gradually transformed into an unofficial cultural and artistic center
- 2010-Present: Recognized as a protected cultural monument and urban creative space
Cultural Significance
BIGZ building represents Belgrade's post-industrial urban transformation, symbolizing the city's ability to repurpose historic structures into creative spaces. It has become a landmark of artistic reinvention, where abandoned industrial architecture meets contemporary cultural expression. The building embodies Serbia's transition from a socialist industrial economy to a more dynamic, creative urban landscape.
Tips for Visitors
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring multiple floors
- Bring a camera - the building is a photographer's paradise
- Check social media for upcoming art events and exhibitions
- Respect artist spaces and ask before photographing private studios
- Visit during daylight hours for safer exploration
- Expect minimal facilities - come prepared with water and snacks
What are some interesting facts about BIGZ building?
- Local urban legends claim that secret underground tunnels connect BIGZ building to other government structures in Belgrade, though this remains unconfirmed
- During the 1990s Yugoslav economic sanctions, artists began squatting in the abandoned printing house, effectively turning it into an unofficial cultural sanctuary
- The building's massive concrete structure is so acoustically unique that experimental musicians and sound artists regularly use its empty floors for recording and performance projects