The Prefecture Building is the oldest public building in Gornji Milanovac. Its construction works started on 22 October 1853, and it was done according to the design of an architect Kosta Šreplović. It is academically designed as a one-storey building with a symmetrical base of equivalent proportions and a plain simple façade as well as discreet decorative elements. The interior organisation of rooms is suitable for its purpose – hallways have the central position, and the offices side ones. Immediately after the entrance, there is a vestibule and a monumental split staircase. The exterior of the building is modest, though harmonious, done in the spirit of Romanticism. It is a typical example of the Central European way of building of the time. Final construction works included a profiled roof cornice and a hip roof above it. The architect Šreplović was successful in implementing his idea about the functionality of the interior space, thus making this building the most prominent landmark of the newly founded town, which was yet to get its own church and a grammar school.

It will stay remembered as the headquarters of the Command of the First army with the duke Živojin Mišić as its commander during the First World War. On 3 December 1914, the decision to launch the Rudnik Offensive was brought here, which was one of the most brilliant strategic moves in the history of wars, owing to which Austro-Hungarian army was defeated in 12 days’ time.

Nowadays, one can find the Modern Gallery of the Cultural Centre of Gornji Milanovac besides the library “Braća Nastasijević” (“the Nastasijević brothers”) in this building. For years now, local citizens have called the first public building in Gornji Milanovac “Stari sud” (“The Old Courthouse”) with right and love.