Belgrade suffered form bombardments, destructions and fire, but, unfortunately, also from human stupidity and arrogance that had forced some to humiliate the precedents and emphasize their own importance and greatness by destroying the cultural heritage of the past times. It is difficult to explain not only to a Belgrade visitor but also to a person from Belgrade, that in this seven thousand years old city it is difficult to find a building older than 250 years. But, the answer is still quite simple: our city has been completely destroyed forty times by now.

"Historical monuments characterize a city, its origin and importance from the past, they connect generations, ancestors with descendants. The historical monuments have the spirit of our ancestors, they speak about their sufferings and the sense of beauty and progress… Yet, Belgrade's appearance does not even start to show its antiquity."

The illustrated history of Belgrade, Marija Ilic-Agapova

  BELGRADE FORTRESS


One of the most important monument of Belgrade history, one the main military bastion of Belgrade was built on a hill above the Sava and the Danube in I century A.D. (and from the I till XVII century several times destroyed, rebuilt and redesigned). The Belgrade fortress consists of the Upper and the Lower town and the Kalemegdan Park.
This oldest fortress was build as a military camp for the IV Flavius’s legion. Beside fortification, Sigidunum was formed, and later on, at the same place, the Slav city of Belgrade. The destiny of the fortress had always been closely connected to the destiny of the town. This means that all the destruction, fires, bombardments and conquers left their mark no only on the town but also on the fortress itself, so that today one can find Serbian ramparts between roman walls at the bottom and Turkish and Austrian fortifications on top.

THE UPPER TOWN The importance the fortress had to the conquers and rulers of Belgrade an be seen in the number of gates used to enter it. Karađorđe’s gate This gate, built in the 18th century was named after the leader of the First Serbian Rebellion, Karađorđe, who had, after conquering Belgrade in 1807, entered the fortress through this gate. Defterdar’s gate Dates from the Middle Ages, and its name is associated with the function of deferdar, bookkeeper, in the Turkish army. It got its present look in the 18th century.

Despot’s gate with the Dizdar’s tower


Built in the first half of the 15th century, it represents on of the pest preserved parts of the fortress from the time of despot Stefan Lazarević. The rest of the despot’s court was destroyed in the fight between the Turks and Austrians in the 18th century. Today, the Observatory of the Astronomy association "Ruđer Bošković" is in Despot’s or Dizdar's tower.

Zidan gate

This gate was built in the middle of 15th century. It has two round towers on both of its sides. The basements of these towers were in the Turkish period used as dungeons. This use of the towers gave the name to this gate, since "zidan" in Turkish means dungeon.

Leopold's gate

This gate was built between 1688 and 1690, during two year long Austrian government and it was named after Austrian emperor Leopold.

The monument of the "Winner"

Fourteen-meter tall bronze figure of the warrior with a sward in right and a falcon in left hand placed on stone stand is a famous symbol of Belgrade and its freedom-loving tradition. This monument, the work of sculptor Ivana Mestrovic was erected in 1928, on a tenth anniversary of the breach of the Thessalonica front, celebrating the great Serbian victory in World War I.
According to the original plan, the monument was supposed to be placed in the city centre, in Terazije Square. Due to disapproving of the conservative population of the time caused by the realistic presentation of the male body, the statue was placed at the Kalemegdan facing Zemun.

The monument of despot Stefan Lazarevic

The bronze statue 320cm tall is the work of sculptor Nebojsa Mitric made in 1981. It presents despot Stefan Lazarevic under whose rule Belgrade became the centre of all Serbian lands.

The Roman well

Although it is called "Roman", the well was not made during Roman rule of Belgrade. The Austrians gave its present look to it in the first part of the 18th century. The well is 62 meters deep, while spiral staircases go until they reach the water at the thirty-fifth meter (the origin of water is not known).

The Clock tower 27,5 meters tall tower with a working clock was built in the 18th century. During Turkish rule it was used as a watchtower. Jaksic's tower This tower was built in 1460 as the main watchtower of the fortress. At the beginning of the 18th century it was destroyed. The reconstruction that gave it its present look was done in 1937. The Ruzica church The building of the church consecrated to the birth of the holly mother originally used as a gunpowder warehouse in the 18th century, and its present purpose was determined in 1867. (The church with the same name, destroyed during the Turkish conquest of Belgrade in 1521, existed during Stefan Lazarevic's rule). At the church entrance two bronze figures were placed in 1924 – one represents a medieval Serbian knight, a the other Serbian solder from World War I.

THE LOWER CITY

The lower city spreads along the riverbanks, and in medieval period it was the centre of the town. Despot Stefan Lazarevic during refortification of the town built the ramparts around the Lower city.

Carlo VI Gate

The gate was built in 1736 and dedicated to emperor Carlo VI. On it western side is the oldest preserved coat of arms in Belgrade – the Tribalia coat of arms.

Nebojsa's tower

This cannon tower was built in 1460 at the riverbank in order to protect the entrance of the port. During Turkish rule of Belgrade, the tower was used as a dungeon.

Turkish bath (Amam)

The old Turkish bath – amam, was built at the end of 18th century. Today it is the planetarium of the Astronomic society "Rudjer Boškovic".

THE KALEMEGDAN

The term Kalemengdan refers only to the plateau around the Belgrade fortress once used as a lookout from the enemy, and in the 19th century it was turned into a park. The word has it origin in Turkish since 'kale' means 'the field', and 'megdan' means 'the fight'. The Turks also used the term "Ficir-bajir" meaning the hill for reflection. Today, the Kalemegdan is the biggest park in Belgrade with numerous monuments, sculptures, the art pavilion "Cvijeta Zuzoric", music pavilion, the Grand staircase, the zoo, etc. if you like chess, retired, a walking person, aesthete or maybe in love, you shouldn’t miss a walk through this park and the prettiest view on the Sava and the Danube confluence since you are bound to meet your soul mate there.

The monument "Gratitude to France" Expressing the gratitude to France that helped the Serbian army in World War I, a monument showing a bronze figure of a woman with a sward, the symbol of France, was built in the 1930. This monument is a work of the sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. The Zoo Belgrade Zoo, called "The god will garden" was established in 1936. It spreads on around six hectares and is a home for about 200 animal species, or 2000 animals. This, for the animal loves favourite place also has a very popular Baby Zoo – a place for all the animals born in the Belgrade Zoo.

IMPORTANT STREETS, SQUARES AND FOUNTAINS

"Belgrade, Belgrade, everyone loves your smiling streets."

The streets of our city breath the spirit of youth, contemporary times, freshness, but also antiquity and tradition – one can see important old buildings next to new shining shops of the world’s trade marks. Some of the central city streets had been traced as far as ten centuries ago, but the development of the street network started in 1867 when the Turks left Belgrade. City planner and engineer Emilijan Josimovic made the city plan.

The Knez Mihailova street The Knez Mihailova street, a famous city's walking area, commercial and business centre and the place of many institutions of national importance, got its name in 1870 after duke Mihailo Obrenovic. It has always been the heart of the city since it connects Belgrade downtown and the fortress. All the important buildings and city houses were built at the end of 19th century. The Belgrade city library The architectural style of the library building built in 1869 is romanticism. Originally, this building was the home of "Srpska kruna" hotel, once the best hotel in Belgrade. Serbian science and art academy It was built in 1923-1924 and it holds the SANU Library, the SANU Archive and the SANU Gallery.

The "Albania" building

It was built in 1938-1940 as the first skyscraper in Belgrade and the Balkans. It was build at the place of the old "Albania" inn after which it got its name.

KING ALEXANDER BOULEVARD

This longest city street has through the course of history changed its name and had been known as Carigrad's road, "Golden cannon" alley, Marko's street, Fisheklija, (at the end of 19th century) King Alexander Obrenovic's street, the Oslobodjenje boulevard, the Boulevard of revolution (after World War II), and its present name, King Alexander’s boulevard, it got at the beginning of the 21st century. In the 90’s, during the grey economy period, it was very difficult to walk the street, since the pavements were transformed into street markets of (usually low quality) goods with low prices. Today, this street justifies the term boulevard. In it you can find the Law school, the Architecture and Civil Engineering Faculty, the University library and three monuments.

The Nikola Tesla monument

This bronze monument of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest scientists and inventors in the field of electrical science and physics, the work of Franc Krnisic, was erected in 1961 in front of the Faculty of Technical sciences.

The Vuk Karadzic monument

This monument, the work of Djordje Jovanovic, erected in 1937 is a bronze figure of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, a famous reformer of Serbian language and orthography, who collected Serbian folk songs and proverbs, published the first collection of folk songs and first Serbian grammar, and proved that vernacular can be used for writing masterpieces.

The Svetozar Markovic monument

This monument from 1946, the work of Stevan Bodvanov, was erected to glorify the founder of the National Socialism in Serbia.

THE KING PETAR I STREET

This is one of the oldest streets in Belgrade, and it was named after the first Serbian king, king Petar I Karađorđević who had come to throne after the assassination of Aleksandar Obrenović. The assumption is that the roman forum, basilica and roman bath were once in this street. Today, in it you can find the Patriarchate of the Serbian Orthodox church, the Saborna church and the oldest Serbian inn called "The question mark" ("?").

The inn "?"

This Serbian-Balkan architectural style building was made by Naum Ičko, the merchant, and later on bought by Miloš Obrenović and given to his healer. Since the inn had frequently changed names (once was even know as "By Saborna church"), the owner temporarily placed the board with the question mark on it, and the inn kept that name. in the modern times of transition and privatisation, when almost everything is privately owned, the "?" is owned and protected by the state.

The National Bank of Serbia

This Italian renaissance building has kept its purpose since the day it was made in 1890.

SKADARLIJA

A special 'treat' you can find in the heart of Belgrade is the Skadarska street, known as "Skadarlija" or "Bohemian quarter". This street has been, since the day appeared, the favourite place of city bohemians, poets and other artists and off everyone who loves quite and hidden place and friendly company. The street, with its original appearance, is famous for its inns with the old Serbian ambience, Turkish cobblestones and Đura Jakšić’s house (the famous Serbian poet and romantic painter). A lot can be said about this street, but nothing can come even close to visiting it and feeling its truly magical atmosphere. Kosta Dimitrijević said: "If Paris had been the capital of the world, Montmartre would have been the capital of Paris; if Belgrade had been the crossroad of the world, Skadarlija would have been its soul".

THE SQUARES

STUDENTS’ SQUARE Cemetery at the Turkish time, and in 19th century a market, is now the oldest city square. The Captain Misa's building, the Kolarac foundation, the monument of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, and the University Park are all on this square. This square was the important starting point of many political changes in the last years, since all student demonstrations started and ended there. The Captain Misa's building It was built in 1863 and is the foundation of captain Misa Anastasijevic. Today it holds the Belgrade University Rector's office. The Kolarac foundation It was built in 1932 and later on donated to the city of Belgrade by Ilija Milosavljevic-Kolarac. The building has an exquisite concert hall as well as exhibition gallery.

The National Theatre

In accordance with duke Mihailo Obrenović's order to construct a building for the theatre, the National theatre was built in 1869. The model for its renaissance conception and decorations was the Scala Opera house in Milan.

The monument of Prince Mihailo Obrenovic

The bronze monument of Prince Mihailo Obrenovic on the horse, the work of Enrico Pazzi was erected in 1882.

THE TERAZIJE SQUARE

Until the middle of 19th century the area from the Sremska until the King Milan's street where the Terazije square is today, was outside the town walls and was covered in swamps. In order to avoid the mixing of Serbian and Turkish population, duke Milos Obrenovic ordered Serbian craftsmen to settle close to today's square.
The name Terazije originates from the high water delivery towers that the Turks called the water terazije (the balance). At the place of one of the water towers, in 1860 the Terazije square water fountain was erected in the memory of duke Milos Obrenovic. The square was rearranged in 1911 and 1912 and a fountain was erected as well as the flower areas in the middle of the square.

The Krsmanović's house (built in 1885) where the unity of Serbia, Croatian and Slovenia was proclaimed in 1 December 1818, the "Moscow" hotel and the Anker palace are al at this square.

THE NIKOLA PASIC SQUARE

The Nikola Pasic square, previously The Marx and Engels square, was built in 1952 among The Terazije square, The King Alexander boulevard and the Decanska street. It is famous for its fountain. The Dom Sindikata, the Parliament and the Nikola Pasic monument are all at this square.

The Serbian Parliament The construction of this building, for which architect Jovan Ilkic made the plan and king Peter I placed the foundation stone, started in 1906. The construction works were finished thirty years later and Ilkic’s son, Peter in classical style with renaissance elements, made the final plans. In 1939 a bronze sculpture "The play of black horses", the work of sculptor Toma Rosandić was erected in front of the parliament. THE SLAVIJA SQUARE This square is an important traffic round point of the city welcoming the King Milan, The Beogradska, the Makenzi, the Svetogorska, the Deligradska and the Nemanjina streets and The Oslobođenje boulevard. The monument of Dimitrije Tucović, one of the leaders of socialist movement in Serbia after whom the square was called for a long time, is in the centre of the square.Among other important building, the Slavija and The Slavija Lux hotels are at this square.

The Delijska water fountain

The first mention of a water fountain with this name dates form the 17th century as a Turkish monument. The Austrians later destroyed this fountain. At the place of the old fountain in the Knez Mihailova street, a new water fountain resembling the old one was erected in 1987.

The Terazijska water fountain

This monument and a water fountain, the work of Italian craftsman Franco Lorano had been erected in the Terazije square in1860m, but was displaced to Topčider for a short period of time.

The Cukur water fountain

This water fountain with the bronze figure of a young boy, the work of Simeon Rosandic was erected in 1931 as a memory of an important event in Serbian history. The Turks at this place had assassinated a Serbian boy and this led to a conflict between the Serbs and the Turks and to the bombardment of Belgrade in 1862.

MUSEUMS IN BELGRADE

The National museum The oldest museum in Serbia, founded in 1844 is located at the Republic Square and its rich collection is consisted of objects from the prehistoric era until modern times. The museum’s collection is divided into: prehistoric, medieval, modern Serbian art, foreign painters (the most important collection is impressionistic), and within its collection the most important piece is Miroslav’s gospel – the oldest Cyrillic manuscript dating from around 1190. The National museum also consists of: - The Fresco gallery - The Museum of Vuk and Dositej - The Memorial Museum of Nadezda and Rastko Petrovic. The Historical Museum of Serbia This museum was founded in 1963 with the intention to collect and preserve material from the rich history of Serbian people and Serbia. The Historical Museum has, in its numerous collections and foundations over 35.000 objects: various weapons and military equipment, flags, seals and medals, decorations, charters, maps, valuable manuscripts and other archive, uniforms of various armies and civil services, paintings, sculptures, photographs and postcards.

The Aviation Museum

The Authority of air force and anti-aircraft defence founded the museum in 1957. It is placed in a very attractive modern design building on the plateau in front of the "Nikola Tesla" airport. 47 airplanes, helicopters and gliders, the most important models of world's and Yugoslav air force are exhibited in the museum. You can also see the engines, equipment, models and memorial collections for certain airmen.

The Car Museum

This museum is located in the premises of the first public garage in Belgrade built in 1929. Its permanent exhibition consists of old cars – old-timers, collected by Bratislav Petkovic. The oldest car in the collection is Marot-Gardon from 1897. The museum also has the collection of old racing motorcycles, photographs and various equipment.

The Nikola Tesla Museum

The museum was founded in order to preserve the scientific and personal belongings of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest scientists and innovators in the field of electrical engineering and physics. The museum has all personal belongings of Nikola Tesla (around 156.000 pages written in the period from 1882 till 1943), as well as the urn with the scientist's ashes. The 1.200 objects are classified in ten different collections.

The Museum of Yugoslav film-library

This collection museum of classics from various film schools meets the needs of the greatest film fans. It is one of the five richest film collections in the world and the museum also has film posters, photographs, screenplays, as well as the "Lumiere" camera no. 335 dating from 1896.

The Ethnographic Museum

The museum was founded in 1901 and it has 152.000 objects divided into the following collections: the folk costumes, materials and rugs, crafting equipment, furniture and dishes and pottery, ritual objects, paintings, old photographs, European and non-European national objects.
The Manak's house is also a part of the Ethnographic museum. In it you can see a collection of objects, folk costumes and jewellery from the south of Serbia and Macedonia.

The Museum of Contemporary art

The museum was founded in 1958 and has a collection of 35.000 paintings, sculptures and graphics made by Yugoslav artists in the period from 1900 until today. They are divided into three collections:

- The first period, from 1900 till 1918, presenting the works of impressionists and "plenerists"
- The second period, from 1918 till 1941, presenting the works of various art schools: constructivism, expressionism, surrealism, intimism, militant and critical realism
The third period, from 1945 till present day, heterogeneous in character, presents numerous objects the largest number of artists and main artistic tendencies.

The Museum of applied art

The museum was founded in 1950 and has over 32.000 objects of the national, European and non-European applied art. The collections follow the development of applied art during the period of 2400 years. The oldest objects date from IV century B.C. (money from ancient Greece), while the contemporary applied art collections present the modern artistic production.

THE BOTANIC GARDEN JEVREMOVAC 

This green oasis in Belgrade captured in asphalt is 5 ha big and has around 2000 species of trees, bushes and herbaceous plants. The botanic garden was founded in 1874 upon the suggestion of Josif Pancic, the botanic teacher. It was a part of the Military school and the management was given to Josif Pancic. The first location of the botanic garden had been in Dorcol, on the bank of the Danube. But after two floods and the destruction of the entire herbal fund, king Milan Obrenovic gave the property inherited from his grandfather Jevrem (after whom the botanoc garden got its name) to the city. The botanic garden consists of the green house (500 m²) built in 1892, The botanic institute, the herbarium, the library and open spaces where you can find over 300 species of trees and bushes, around 700 herbaceous domestic, European and exotic plants and almost 1000 species of tropical and subtropical plants. PARKS AND VACATION AREAS Karadjordje's park

Tasmajdan

Tasmajdan, just as the name says it, used to be a quarry – in Turkish "tas" means stone, and "majdan" means mine. After excavating stone blocks catacombs were made, and they were later used as ammunition storages, military magazines and shelters. Duke Milos Obrenovic ordered to move the old Serbian cemetery to be moved from Varos-gate to Tasmajdan in 1826, but at the end of 19th century it was moved again and today it is places at "Novo groblje". On 30th November 1830 the Sultan's edict on internal independence of Serbia was read at Tasmajdan.
Today, at Tasmajdan you can find St. Marko's church, the Russian chirch, the Main Post office, sports and recreation centre "Tasmajdan", RTS, hotels "Tas" and "Metropol", restaurant "Madera" and "The last chance" inn.

The University park

This park, also known as "Pancic's park" and "Students' park", is located at the city centre. This park used to be the Turkish cemetery, then the Great market, until the city planer Emilijan Josimovic designed it to be a park. It was completed in the first part of the 20th century when the monument of Josif Pancic was erected, the monument of Dositej Obradovic moved from Kalemegdan and the baroque fence was built.

 Kosutnjak

This popular vacation area and park-forest of deciduous and coniferous trees at 250 m height above sea is 330 ha big. The name probably originates from the does that used to inhabit it. Until 1903 the forest was a closed hunting area of the duke Obrenović's family. At the bottom of the hill you can find a source of drinking water called "Haiduchka fountain".
The sports and recreation center "Košutnjak" is a part of the park. It has 5 outdoor and 1 indoor swimming pools, football, athletic, volleyball, basketball and handball fields.
Kosutnjak is also a popular meeting place of couples that want to be far from the eyes of the public.

Only 4 km from the city centre you can find Ada ciganlija - previously an island, now a peninsula – artificial lake 4,2 km long, and on average 200 m wide and 4-6 m deep. Ada ciganlija, together with Ada Međica spreads on 800 ha. This popular “Belgrade sea" with beaches on both sides, attracts up to 300.000 people in the summer period. In the swimming season, from 15th June till end of September, rescue teams are at alert every day from 10 A.M. till 7 P.M. The lake is suitable for swimming, watercraft, kayak, water polo, water jumps, board soaring, wakeboarding and water ski. You can enjoy many football, basketball, golf, tennis, and hockey on grass fields. The woods around the lake have many traces for running, riding a bicycle or roller-skating. If, after all these activities, you still have energy, you can try extreme sports like bungee jumping from a 55 m high platform or free climbing. You can also see Ada from a popular tourist train. If you are not in the mood for sun bathing or would like to enjoy summer nights beside the water, you can find the freshness and the fun in numerous cafes and restaurants, or maybe float-restaurant that preserve the bohemian spirit of Belgrade.

THE BELGRADE PALACES

The city's court complex includes The Old and the New court, the Royal Court in Dedinje and The White house. .

The Old court

The Obrenovic's dynasty wanted to overcome the achievements of previous Serbian rulers and built this court from 1882 till 1884. The Old court was the residence of Karadjordjevic dynasty from 1903 till 1914, and many royal and reception parties for many important foreign guests. After the end of World War II, the most important national institutions were located in it – the Presidium of the National Parliament, the Government of the FNRY, the Federal Executive Council, and, since 1961 the Parliament of the City of Belgrade. The building was made in the academic style, decorated with caryatides and Doric pillars, and in the interior you can see the Red Hall, two Yellow Halls and the Formal Hall.

The New court

The New court, today the residence the President of the Republic of Serbia, was built between 1911 and 1922 as the residence of the Karadjordjevic dynasty. This court had the royal private rooms and offices: bedrooms, cabinets, libraries and two halls: the English and the Japanese hall.

The Royal court

The Royal court in Dedinje was built between 1924 and 1929 as the residence of king Alexander I, and today it is the home of Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic. This villa was built in Serbian-Byzantine style.

The White House

Between 1934 and 1937 the White House, the residence of king Alexander I sons, was built. The White House includes the Royal library that used to have 35.000 books, and the private Royal church connected to the court by the porch and the pillars.

RELIGION

St. Sava's temple

The preparations for the construction of the largest orthodox temple started in 1894, but the construction works started in 1936, were interrupted during the German bombardment in 1945, and continued in 1985. The works on the interior are still in progress.
The temple is dedicated to the great founder Stefan Nemanja's son, whose name was Rastko Nemanjic, and his religious name, given to him after admitting to a monastic order in Holly Mountain.
Due to St. Sava, the Serbian church became independent and he became its first Archbishop.
The St. Sava's temple is built at the Vracar plateau where St. Sava's relics, moved from the Mileseva monastery, were burned.
At the plateau in front of the temple the monument of Karadjordje Petrovic, the leader of the First Serbian rebellion, the work of Sreten Stojanovic was erected in 1979. The National library is also located at this plateau.

The Saborna church The Saborna church, dedicated to St. Archbishop Mihailo, was built between 1937 and 1840 at the order of duke Milos Obrenovic. The church's treasury preserves old icons and richly decorated golden objects dating from 17th till 20th century. The relics of king Uros and graves of Serbian rulers Milos and Mihailo Obrenovic are at the church, while Dositej Obradovic and Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, the important persons of Serbian culture and education, were buried in the churchyard. St. Marko's church This church was built between 1931 and 1940 in the Serbian-Byzantine style, and is located at the place of the old church that had been build in 1835 and burned in the German bombardment of Belgrade. The coffin with the body of czar Dusan and one of the richest collection of Serbian icons from 18th and 19th century are in this church.