Surveying of Belgrade: Technical Background of Emilijan Josimović Plan from 1867

Abstract

Plan for the reconstruction of Belgrade, formulated by Emilijan Josimović in 1867 is one of the most researched urban plans in Serbia. Anyhow, one aspect of the plan, the survey of Belgrade, has remained outside the focus of scholars. This paper analyzes and presents the surveying of Belgrade, made by Josimović, as part of the activities on making the well-known plan of the city. The research question we have set out is: how, when, with which instruments, means, and the material did Josimović produce a geodetic map of the city? Archival materials, various maps, literary sources, as well as two Josimović’s publications from 1862 and 1867, were used in the description and analysis of the production of the first accurate geodetic map of Belgrade urban tissue from the mid-19th century.