Belgrade, Serbia: Prince Mihailo Monument

Prince Mihailo was the Grover Cleveland of Serbia, at least among royalty. He led the country from 1839 to 1842, only to be ousted by a revolt. He returned to the job in 1860 after his father died, and this time lasted eight years in the positioin. During that time, some of the big cities in Serbia came back under national control, thanks in part to the help of the Turks. However, Prince Mihailo was assassinated in 1868.

Naturally, such stories result in the need for a memorial. After a few years of arguing, everyone got together and agreed to see that a giant statue was built. Interestingly, it was decided to put the Prince on a horse - the first time a Serbian was honored that way. It was finished in 1879, just after the year when Serbia gained independence. 

The area has gone through some cleanup, and a major renovation finished in 2020. The horse was still considered unusual years later, to the point where people in Belgrade simply said, "Let's meet at the horse." Be sure to take a look at it if you are in Republic Square in the heart of Belgrade.