Building of the Assembly of the Municipality of Bitola
Buildings/The building of the Assembly of the Municipality of Bitola is located at 6 "Kiril i Metodij" Street in the center of Bitola. Its front and main façade are positioned toward the bank of the Dragor River. The building was constructed in 1936.
It features a symmetrical design that develops horizontally, with an emphasized central section containing the entrance area and representative vertical communications. The entire building is characterized by a very clean form with repetitive window arrangements, a pronounced roof cornice, and shallowly treated corners with shallow relief. The centrality of the building is framed by the balcony of the first space, which is the entrance porch.
In 1991, ownership was transferred to the ARM. In 2003, the building was completely renovated and adapted for the needs of the Municipality of Bitola as a municipal building, which is still in use today.
Construction year 1936
Investor / Owner Yugoslav National Army (JNA)
City / Municipality Bitola
/ Bitola
Address Kiril i Metodij St. No. 6 / 1 Maj blvd.
Floors B+GF+2
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)The building was constructed in 1936. In 1991, ownership was transferred to the JNA, and later to the ARM. In 2003, the building was renovated and adapted as the Assembly of the Municipality of Bitola.Number of floorsB+GF+2Program description (floor plan details)A strict symmetry of the plan is clearly noticeable, both horizontally and vertically. There is an emphasized central section with an entrance area and representative vertical communications. The plan reveals a pronounced central corridor, through which the rooms on the left and right sides are accessed. The wings with the corridors are lower than the central part with the vertical communications. The corridors extend in two directions, ending with a semicircular manner-illuminated by windows. The staircase area is also naturally lit.StructureThe building is constructed with a massive load-bearing system, with brick walls. The roof is made of a wooden substructure and covered with roofing tiles.RoofMulti-pitched roof made of a wooden substructure and covered with tiles. The central roof is hidden behind a parapet wall.FaçadeThe exterior finish is plaster. Around the windows, there is linear secondary relief painted in several shades, with an emphasized basement level.CarpentryThe exterior carpentry is made of wood with horizontal profiling and painted white on the outside. The doors in the building are also made of wood (both interior and exterior), with the entrance doors featuring transom windows.Building surroundingsThe building is freestanding with a large backyard that contains other auxiliary structures. There are concrete blocks in front of the entrance area, asphalt, cobblestones in the backyard, and greenery.Interior / Communal spacesMarble tiles are used in the central area with the vertical communications and corridor. Ceramic tiles are found in the corridors on the left and right sides. The ceilings and walls are plastered, with the lower half painted with oil-based paint. The carpentry is wooden, the stairs are made of marble with decorative iron railings and a wooden profiled handrail.Interior / Private spacesFloors in the offices are parquet/laminate with a wood color.ContextThe building is positioned as a freestanding structure with a relatively prominent entrance area from the street. The front façade faces the Dragor River. There is a large yard at the back. With its symmetrical, rigid, and modern appearance, it clearly reflects the period and architectural influences in its design.
- RoofMulti-pitched roof made of a wooden substructure and covered with tiles. The central roof is hidden behind a parapet wall.FaçadeThe exterior finish is plaster. Around the windows, there is linear secondary relief painted in several shades, with an emphasized basement level.CarpentryThe exterior carpentry is made of wood with horizontal profiling and painted white on the outside. The doors in the building are also made of wood (both interior and exterior), with the entrance doors featuring transom windows.Building surroundingsThere are concrete blocks, asphalt, cobblestones, and greenery.Interior / Communal spacesMarble tiles, metal railing with decorations, wooden handrail, wooden carpentry painted white.Exterior conditiongoodInterior conditionsatisfactoryExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitysatisfactoryModificationsNo significant interventions or modifications have been observed. Changes are noted as general renovation and maintenance of the building (plastering, painting).
- protected NI Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and Museum – Bitola
- historical architectural and aesthetic technical societal/social emotional The building is almost a century old and is a good example of structures of this typology from that period. Its distinctiveness, due to the clean layout, symmetry, interior space, and decorative details, is of particular importance. Originally built as a JNA building, it has remained a socially recognizable symbol to this day and holds emotional value because of its purpose throughout the years up to the present.
- Recommendation to the owners: The value of the building should be respected when installing elements directly on the façades, and if changes are made, they should be aimed at preserving its authenticity.