Originating from 1847, Zeleni Venac is the oldest still active green market in Belgrade and due to its size, longevity and wide varieties of goods that can be bought in it, it has been nicknamed "Queen of the markets" and placed under the state protection. The market was open in 1926 and was intended to be the central city open market, being closest to the city center. It was the most modern open farmers market on the Balkans at that time as it included running water, sewage system, brick-walled shops and stores and gauged weighing scales.