A Century and a Half of the Military Geographical Museum
Tuesday, 3.2.2026 | Culture and traditions
A formal event marking the Day of the Military Geographical Institute “General Stevan Bošković”, the Day of the Geodetic Service of the Serbian Armed Forces, and the 150th anniversary of the Military Geographical Institute was held this evening at the Belgrade Drama Theatre.
The event was attended by State Secretary Mile Jelić, members of the collegium of the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, the President of Matica Srpska, Prof. Dragan Stanić, Ph.D., members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of institutions, faculties, scientific institutions, companies cooperating with the Institute, as well as its retired and active members.
Reflecting on the Institute’s history, Deputy Director of the Military Geographical Institute, Colonel Asst. Prof. Radoje Banković, Ph.D., emphasized that 150 years of existence and continuous, successful work is a milestone that is the source of pride for the Armed Forces and the Republic of Serbia, but above all for the current and former members of the Institute.
– Therefore, the entire year will be dedicated to celebrating this jubilee. In addition to this ceremony, we will organize multiple events over the course of the year, to express, in a dignified manner, our gratitude to all those who have contributed to building the Institute’s history, while at the same time bequeathing to future generations the Institute’s enduring legacy – said Colonel Banković, emphasizing that the Military Geographical Institute has made a significant contribution not only to the country’s defence, but also to the development of science and profession at the national level and beyond.
He added that the establishment of a separate organisational unit from which the Military Geographical Institute later emerged was an act of statesmanlike responsibility and strategic maturity by the leadership of the time, considering that it occurred at a time when the young Serbian state was fighting a battle for survival and international recognition, with a pronounced need to explore, survey, and clearly present its own territory.
– The Military Geographical Institute has made a long, difficult journey, marked by numerous professional challenges and the need to adopt new technologies and keep pace with similar institutions internationally. From drawing maps by hand, to carrying out a comprehensive survey of our national territory and printing maps using the offset technology, to the introduction of the first GPS devices, vector mapping, and digital elevation models. Today, we proudly highlight our state-of-the-art surveying sensors, an established central data base, and a fully developed data centre – said the Deputy Director of the Military Geographical Institute.
Congratulating all geodesists on their professional anniversary, Zoran Knežević, academician and the President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), noted that since 1937, SANU has had the honour of counting among its members General Stevan P. Bošković, a geodesist and the first head of the Geographical Institute, whose name the Institute still bears today.
– The anniversary you are celebrating is not merely a number representing the time elapsed since the foundation of the Institute, but a testament to tireless dedication and significant achievements. All those who, over the years, have contributed to these results and to the attainment of the highest professional level your institution enjoys today, have many good reasons to be proud – the President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts said.
The ceremony included performances by the Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binički” and members of the Belgrade Drama Theatre.
The Military Geographical Institute was established on February 5, 1876, as the Geographical Department of the Main General Staff of the Serbian Army. This department transformed into the Geographical Institute in 1920, becoming the first military institution to bear the title of institute, and it adopted its current name in 1923.
