Miloš Savčić

Miloš Savčić
Born	Svilajnac, Serbia
Died	9 March 1941(1941-03-09) (aged 75) Belgrade, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Occupation(s)	Politician, entrepreneur, engineer, banker
Known for	Minister of Construction, Mayor of Belgrade, economic ventures in Serbia and Yugoslavia

Miloš Savčić (born 26 July 1865 in Svilajnac – died 9 March 1941 in Belgrade) was a prominent Serbian figure known for his roles as a politician, entrepreneur, engineer, and banker. Considered among the wealthiest Europeans of his generation, he held positions such as Minister of Construction and Mayor of Belgrade, while overseeing numerous economic ventures within the Kingdom of Serbia and later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Savčić is remembered as one of the most impactful Serbian personalities of his era.

Early life and education

Hailing from Svilajnac, where his father Teodor Savčić was a merchant, Miloš completed both primary and secondary education locally. In 1885, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Grandes écoles in Belgrade. He then advanced his studies at the Technical University of Munich, graduating with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1889 under the mentorship of professor Carl von Linde.

Engineering career in Munich

Following graduation, Savčić accepted an invitation from his professor, an expert in road and railway construction, to remain in Germany for two years working on projects for the Royal Bavarian State Railway. Although his foreign status limited him to contract-based roles, this period provided him with invaluable practical experience. Initially tasked with surveying for the expansion of Munich’s main train station, he oversaw various construction components including sewer systems, tramway intersections, electrical plants, and an innovative reinforced concrete arch bridge. He also evaluated detailed engineering reports.

Subsequently, he led a comprehensive topographical survey across Bavaria with a team of assistants. His outstanding work earned him recognition and a promotion to senior engineer with doubled salary, which sparked envy among colleagues. Additionally, he contributed to advancements in railway switch centralization through implementation of the "block system."

Return to Serbia

After his mother passed away in 1891, Savčić resigned from his position at the Royal Bavarian State Railway and returned home to Serbia. Although initially intending to join Gustave Eiffel’s firm in Paris, he postponed this plan after failing the practical segment of his military officer exam, extending his service and canceling the contract.

By 1893, he secured employment with the Municipality of Belgrade. Supported financially by his family, he co-founded the Engineering and Architecture Office alongside architect Gaspar Becker—one of the first private design firms during a period when state infrastructure funding was scarce. The office primarily undertook residential projects initially due to limited availability of larger contracts and prevalence of informal agreements.

His earliest client was Luka Ćelović, who commissioned a private residence in Belgrade. Other prominent clients included merchants Jovan Jovanović Šapčanin and Milan Pavlović as well as cassation judge Milutin Marković. Following Becker’s death in 1896, Savčić formed partnerships with architects Danilo Vladisavljević and Milan Kapetanović.

Construction of Belgrade slaughterhouse

During the Customs War, Serbia encountered trade obstacles as Austria-Hungary frequently closed its borders to live pig exports. In response, Serbian authorities aimed to reduce economic dependence by shifting focus toward processed meat exports, which faced fewer restrictions and accessed markets such as Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium.

The 1895 Law on State Aid to Slaughterhouse Companies facilitated establishment of the Serbian Joint-Stock Company for Slaughter and Processing of Livestock. This company engaged Savčić to analyze European slaughterhouse operations. In 1897, he obtained authorization to construct a slaughterhouse—a vital national initiative completed in 1898 alongside other key infrastructure such as the stock exchange building and post office.

Despite criticism urging wider expert participation in planning, the facility’s efficient design garnered public praise and played a crucial role in Serbia’s economic success during the Customs War. This achievement strengthened Savčić’s standing, leading to advisory appointments and direct contracts with multiple organizations. In 1899, he invested proceeds into shares of Belgrade Transport Bank and joined its Supervisory Board before advancing to its Board of Directors.

The Steam-Driven Sawmill

During his tenure at the slaughterhouse, he identified Serbia's significant dependence on timber construction materials imported from Austria-Hungary. To cut domestic expenses, he proposed the establishment of a lathe and subsequently convinced the Belgrade Transport Bank in 1901 to fund Belgrade’s inaugural steam-powered sawmill, assuming personal financial responsibility for any potential deficits. By 1903, the sawmill was fully functional along the Danube River and experienced continual growth until the outbreak of World War I.

A major obstacle involved acquiring cost-effective timber, initially sourced through imports or local procurement. In 1902, the bank obtained rights to harvest forests located on Tara near the Derventa, Crni Vhr, and Zvijezda rivers. Logs were floated downriver via rafts along the Drina, Sava, and Danube to a Belgrade canal housing a sawmill (strugara). Early logging operations depended on oxen power but transitioned to motorized equipment as the facility expanded.

Given Tara’s steep and rugged landscape, transporting timber to the Drina River posed significant challenges. Collaborating with German engineers, Savčić designed a unique aerial cableway constructed in two phases: the first segment completed in 1908 stretched 6,010 meters with an 800-meter vertical drop and incorporated two rock tunnels; the second phase covered 3,860 meters with a 380-meter rise. The cable car system utilized hydraulic brakes to regulate descent, moving loads solely by gravity without external energy sources. This pioneering approach demonstrated an effective method of overcoming natural barriers in forest resource extraction.

The wood processing enterprise in Belgrade evolved into one of Serbia’s most prosperous firms, employing between 120 and 280 workers. This advancement marked Serbia’s transition from a timber importer to a timber exporter.

Insurance Company "Serbia"

In 1903, Savčić was appointed vice-president of the Belgrade Transport Bank, which was renamed Prometna Banka in 1905. He championed the creation of a construction division that by 1909 operated a modest fleet of river dredgers supplying sand and gravel for building projects. King Peter I Karađorđević became an investor, aiding the bank’s growth efforts. At King Peter I’s behest, in 1905 the first Serbian insurance company outside of the Belgrade Cooperative’s insurance branch was established under Prometna Banka’’’s Board and named Serbia. The King personally acquired shares numbered from 1 to 300, lending his endorsement to this initiative. Savčić played an active managerial role from the company’s foundation.

The firm rapidly gained widespread public backing and reported profits immediately following its initial financial report. By 1908, it introduced affordable insurance products designed to be accessible even for lower-income individuals. Prior to the Balkan Wars, it secured agreements with State Railways. Despite wartime difficulties, the company maintained operations by fulfilling both regular and war-related claims. After the Balkan Wars, it expanded into Southern Serbia and following World War I extended its presence throughout Yugoslavia by opening offices nationwide and broadening its insurance offerings across multiple sectors.

Vračar Savings Bank

In 1904, Savčić became a member of the Management Board of Vračarska štedionica. The bank was granted governmental rights to manage the Rbarska Spa (also known as Ribarska Banja), where Savčić directed the planning and modernization initiatives. His leadership led to extensive renovations and improvements at the spa.

From 1904 until 1907, a series of villas were erected to serve both visitors and administrative needs: "Srbija," which regularly welcomed King Peter I; "Bosna," featuring 39 rooms along with offices and facilities like a pharmacy and post office; as well as "Herzegovina," "Dalmatia," "Slavonia," "Old Serbia," and "Montenegro." Additional structures were designated for affordable and complimentary lodging aimed at lower-income guests. These enhancements positioned the spa among the foremost resorts in the region during that period.

Other pre-war projects

Under Savčić’s direction in 1909, the bank diversified into shipping and riverine transport of sand and gravel—materials essential for construction purposes. The initial fleet comprised two wooden vessels, which were later augmented by ships, trucks, tugboats, an excavator, and an elevator for loading sand, gravel, and timber sourced from Tara.

That same year marked the establishment of the Glass Factory in Kostolac.

Savčić also assumed the role of vice-president on the Board of Directors at the Privileged Export Bank. In 1911, this institution co-founded the Company for Technical Enterprises together with Prometna bank. He served as technical director overseeing construction of the 60-kilometer Niš-Knjaževac railway, which included 39 tunnels and 20 bridges. The Balkan Wars temporarily halted progress; however, work resumed in 1915 due to strategic necessity to link Niš with the Danube. This project garnered political interest from figures such as Prince Regent Alexander. Approximately 90% of construction was finalized in 1915 with the labor of about 5,000 to 6,000 prisoners of war.

During railway works, substantial coal reserves were uncovered near Mount Tresibaba. Between 1909 and 1915, only exploratory drilling took place. In 1915, Savčić obtained state concessions to develop 150 ore fields in this area, but wartime conditions and limited infrastructure delayed exploitation. Eventually, occupying forces operated the Tresibaba mine; before completion of the railway, coal transport depended on bullock carts.

World War I

Prior to World War I, Savčić was residing in Munich amid rising Austro-Hungarian tensions but moved to Switzerland to avoid internment. He later returned to Serbia where he was assigned by the military to finalize construction on the Niš-Knjaževac railway.

In late 1915, he participated in the Serbian army’s withdrawal through Albanian mountains, accompanying King Peter I and government officials. By 1916, he had relocated to Geneva, where he played a key role in founding the Central Committee for Serbian Reconstruction alongside Jovan Cvijić and Tihomir Đorđević to mobilize aid from Serbia’s allies. He was also involved in establishing the League of Nations.

Throughout the conflict, Savčić collaborated with Milić Radovanović and Ljubomir Jovanović on several professional publications, including:

• "Wealth of Serbia"
• "War damage and reparations"
• "Future economic program of Serbia"
• "Serbia in terms of property before, during and after World War I"

Post-war period

Throughout the conflict, Tara's facilities and assets were plundered. The steam sawmill in Belgrade was consumed by fire, while the fleet suffered partial destruction due to enemy artillery or was relocated further upriver. Additionally, the Kostolac glass factory was entirely demolished. The newly constructed building of Privredna bank also endured substantial artillery damage.

Following the war and the passing of Mihailo Popović and Nikola Spasić, Savčić assumed the role of President of the Board of Directors at Prometna Banka. Collaborating with director Mihailo Dragičević, he reshaped the institution into one of the most prosperous commercial banks within the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Savčić emphasized reconstruction efforts that allowed for resumption of regular activities within a year. The lathe operations in Belgrade expanded, including the construction of a three-story residential building for workers and a connecting railway line designed for wagon loading. Approximately 300 laborers and 20 administrative staff were employed at the sawmill.

Since vessels confiscated during wartime were not returned by Allied forces, new ships, excavators, elevators, and a workshop were acquired along the Sava River shoreline. In 1921, Prometna Banka initiated the founding of the Association of Banks to coordinate Serbian banking institutions in acquiring shares to nationalize the Beocin Cement Factory and Sartid Company, as well as to establish banking presence in newly liberated regions. Savčić held positions as vice-president and board member in Beocin Cement Factory, Sartid Company, among other enterprises. After the war, Izvozna and Prometna banks merged to create Izvozna i prometna banka a.d. in Skopje to broaden operations within Old Serbia.

Fuel Exploitation Company

In 1920, Prometna Banka established the Fuel Exploitation Society. Following completion of the Niš-Knjaževac railway in 1921, extraction activities commenced in that ore-rich region. By 1930, Prometna Banka had secured mining rights from Đorđe Vajfert for Podvis (located north of Timok and Tresibaba) and Blagovesti mines, which employed over 800 miners and officials. These mining sites operated their own power station equipped with locomotives and generators, advanced machine cranes, artificial ventilation systems utilizing fans and compressors powering pneumatic drills, along with workshops dedicated to blacksmithing, locksmithing, carpentry, and electrical maintenance.

Substantial investments guaranteed high-quality working environments: a sizable housing settlement offering free heating and electricity for workers and their families; a grocery warehouse providing goods below market prices; an ambulance service with an on-site pharmacy; land parcels allocated for personal gardens; a state-funded primary school supported by the Society; plus recreational amenities including a football team and a music orchestra.

In 1938, a miners’ clubhouse featuring a canteen was constructed on Tresibaba to accommodate facilities for the Sokol Society—comprising rehearsal rooms, locker areas with showers, theatre spaces, reading rooms, and a library. The mines maintained a state-of-the-art rescue station staffed by 40 trained personnel equipped with Dreger breathing apparatus.

In 1921, a consortium acquired mining properties near Crkvena Vodice aimed at exploiting Kosovo’s ore basin. The Mining and Industrial Joint-Stock Company "Kosovo" was established in Kosovska Mitrovica in 1922 to initiate operations. Under Savčić’s leadership following acquisition by Prometna Banka, production levels rose alongside industrial development in Skopje.

The inauguration of Trepča Mines in 1930 created consistent demand for lignite extracted from Kosovo mines used in Trepča power plants. Infrastructure enhancements included installation of a 2,925-meter cable car system transporting coal to Obilić railway station, power plants equipped with locomotives, and specialized machinery for coal extraction.

Between 1936 and 1938, expansions encompassed a workers’ residential colony comprising ten buildings outfitted with electric lighting and plumbing systems; nine office buildings; workshops dedicated to machinery repairs; as well as commissioning a new mining shaft named "Alexander" in 1938. Thanks to capital injected by Privredna Banka, Kosovo mine output increased fourfold from 1930 through 1938, facilitating electrification across Southern Serbia.

Sawmill in Bosanska Jagodina

Following the acquisition of forest land in Zaovljanske Kosi by Prometna Banka during 1921-1922, a lathe was set up in Jagodina near Višegrad in 1927. Although his companies employed engineers and specialists, Savčić personally designed the entire sawmill project and its associated facilities. To facilitate timber transport, an 8,200-meter-long wire railway with a vertical drop of 360 meters was constructed, partially utilizing components salvaged from the dismantled Tara cable car. Processed lumber was then transported by floating it along the Rzava, Drina, Sava, and Danube rivers to Belgrade.

Commencing operations in 1928, the Strugara sawmill became the main source of employment for the surrounding rural population.

Career in politics

In 1905, Savčić played a pivotal role in founding the Independent Radical Party. He held the position of People's Deputy from 1905 to 1911 and again in 1923, serving on the Main Board of the Independent Democratic Party. His tenure as Minister of Construction spanned 1908 to 1909.

Between 1929 and 1930, Savčić acted as President of Belgrade’s municipality, during which time he oversaw the establishment of both the Municipal Savings Bank and a power generation facility. After King Alexander imposed the January Sixth dictatorship in 1929, he appointed Savčić as mayor of Belgrade. Having collaborated closely with the king on earlier reconstruction efforts, Savčić improved municipal service efficiency and introduced innovative financing schemes for public utilities such as electric lighting and water supply.

He was instrumental in enacting a municipal statute that regulated administrative officials and advanced Belgrade’s modernization efforts through an extensive street paving initiative. Under his guidance, the Savings Bank of the Municipality was created to oversee financial management. Additionally, he initiated construction of the City Hospital in accordance with Nikola Spasić's testament and developed the modern King Alexander I elementary school.

One of Savčić’s most significant accomplishments was resolving Belgrade’s short-term debt predicament by refinancing through Swiss banking institutions. This enabled full repayment of obligations and financed a new power plant. Despite public skepticism and subsequent legal accusations alleging municipal financial damage, judicial rulings upheld the legality of all actions taken.

Although dual roles combining political and economic responsibilities were common at that time, they drew considerable attention from Serbian society.

The succeeding municipal government under Milan Nešić was also appointed by royal decree on 23 May 1930.

Wagon factory

At a public auction, Privredna Banka acquired ownership of the Wagon and Iron Structures Factory located in Kruševac (later known as "October 14"), having previously served as creditor to this bankrupt enterprise. Within one year, the facility underwent reconstruction and modernization, securing contracts with State Railways for manufacturing new wagons and iron railway bridges. Despite these efforts, the factory failed to generate profits and operated at a loss until World War II.

Savčić planned a railway bridge over the Morava River, supervising both the construction of concrete pillars and fabrication of its metal components. Although delivered before World War I, this structure was dismantled during wartime.

Other projects

During 1920–1921, he held the position of director at State Railways.

His architectural legacy includes industrial buildings as well as residential-commercial structures designed in an academic style enriched with Art Nouveau details. Prominent examples encompass corner palaces such as the Class Lottery building (in collaboration with Milan Kapetanović), the House of Vračar Savings Bank (conceived by Danilo Vladisavljević), along with two private homes.

He also designed the sheet metal rolling mill established by Prometna Banka in Zemun in 1938. This enterprise proved highly profitable and represented a major milestone for both Prometna banka and Serbia’s economic development.

Acknowledgments

Among the distinguished accolades he earned were the I degree of the Order of Saint Sava, the II degree of the Yugoslav Crown, the IV degree of the White Eagle, and the Red Cross Society Cross awarded by Geneva.

On 21 October 1939, a commemorative event at the Transport Bank marked his five decades of professional dedication, accompanied by a publication titled "50 years of work of engineer Miloš Savčić 1889-1939." Sculptor Dragomir Arambašić crafted a silver plaque in his honor, while bronze replicas were exhibited in buildings owned by the banking institution.

He passed away on 9 March 1941 after enduring a prolonged illness, just prior to the outbreak of World War II, and was laid to rest at Belgrade’s Novo Groblje. Much of his life's work was destroyed during and after the war; following communist nationalization, all enterprises founded by Traffic Bank were transferred to state control.

Before his passing, he donated significant assets—including three hectares of land and shares in two mills—to the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in Svilajnac, an institution he and his wife had supported generously.

Portions of his professional archive are preserved within Serbia’s national archives and Belgrade’s historical collections. His achievements gained renewed appreciation during the 1990s. In 2004, a street within the Savski Venac municipality was named to honor his legacy.

Family

He had a brother named Jakov and a sister called Ljubica.

He married Katinka Leve, whom he met during their studies. Together they had sons—architects Milenko (1901–1954) and Svetozar (born 1903), engineers Ljubiša and Vladeta (1899)—and a daughter Jelica (died 1936), who was married to civil engineer Aleksandar Acović.

His office at Topličin venac 14 Street became Serbia’s first to implement the Herbst mezzanine prefabricated reinforced concrete system (1921) during renovations. This technique involved setting upright pre-made concrete girders spaced every 33 cm to support continuous concrete slabs. He renamed his company Technical Company "Labor," which was later managed by his son Vladeta alongside son-in-law Acović.

The family held substantial shares in Agrarna, Vračarska, and Izvozna Banka, with their assets consolidated under Prometna Banka. They transformed vineyards into an upscale residential district in Dedinje, spearheading luxury villa development initiated by Miloš Savčić and continued by Acović.

In the early 1920s, he constructed his largest home at the intersection of Kralj Milan Street and Andrićev venac (formerly Dobrinjska Street), utilizing the Herbst girder method. The façade, segmented into three unequal parts, was designed by Russian civil engineer Evgeny Gulin.

During German occupation, despite Katinka’s German heritage, she declined cooperation with occupying forces and was expelled from their city palace along with her children. They spent the war’s final period in vineyard cottages in Dedinje but were forced out after liberation as representatives of the ousted bourgeoisie; all their property was seized.

Among Miloš Savčić’s descendants is Vladimir Lešić from Del Arno Band.

The residence at Užička 15, Jelica’s former home, later served as a dwelling for Josip Broz Tito and Slobodan Milošević, with the House of Flowers built nearby on what was once their family estate—further exemplifying their loss.

Bibliography

• Милош Савчић: инжењер, предузетник, градоначелник; изложбени каталог Музеја науке и технике; 1997.