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Tourist Information
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CITY OF BELGRADE |
Belgrade is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Serbia. Belgrade lies at the crossing of the communication lines between Eastern and Western Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It rises on the banks of the Sava and the Danube.
The Belgrade are also combines two different natural settings: the Panonian Plane with wheat and corn fields to the north, and Šumadija, with its vineyards and orchards, to the South of the Sava and the Danube. The most prominent peaks on the Šumadija border ridge are Mt. Kosmaj (628 m) and Mt. Avala (511 m). The accented relief of Belgrade, to the south of the Sava and the Danube are the reason why this is a rather hilly city.
The urban core of Belgrade, encompasses an area of 36 km2, and the total municipal territory amounts to 322 km2. |
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HISTORY |
The first settlements in the area of Belgrade emerged in prehistoric Vinča in 4800 BC. Vinca is a prehistoric location on the very bank of the Danube, with remains of material culture of prehistoric man (neolithic plastics).
Two big rivers - the Danube and the Sava, the fertile plain and a rich hinterland, a natural crossroad of river and land trails were a temptation for all peoples that roamed the region in ancient times. This is testified by a nearly 6000 years long history - and the first written documents date back to the 3rd century BC.
Ancient sources provide the oldest known name for Belgrade - Singidunum. The name of the settlement was preserved throughout the Roman rule. With the division of the Roman Empire in 395, Singidunum passed over to the Eastern Empire, i.e. Byzantium, and the name of the city gained a Greek sound: Singidunum became Singidon. Favored by the weaknesses in the defense of the Byzantine border, Slavs started frequently crossing the Danube in the 6th century and gradually settled in the area.
The stone built fortress rising above the rivers was dubbed Beli Grad (white city). The name Beograd is officially mentioned for the first time in an epistle dated April 16th 878. sent by Pope John VIII to prince Boris of Bulgaria. Belgrade is mentioned in several Slavic manuscripts written between 11th and 15th century. Between the 16th and 19th century Belgrade is referred to with various names in different languages: Alba Graeca, Alba Bulgarica, Bello grado, Nandor Alba, Griechisch Weissenburg, Castelbianco... However, all these names are translations of the Slavic word Beograd.
Some of the important city streets have been traced nearly a dozen centuries ago. Strolling around the center of the city you will be taking a walk through history one can breathe and feel in many places. |
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SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING SIGHTS |
Kalemegdan is the nicest and the biggest park in Belgrade. It is also the most significant cultural and historic complex dominated by the Belgrade Fortress overlooking the Sava and the Danube. Kalemegdan Park has many monuments dedicated to the distinguished public and cultural figures. The Military Museum  the "Cvijeta Zuzoric" art pavilion, the Belgrade ZOO, the Belgrade Cultural Monuments Protection Institute, an amusement park and a number of sports fields and several restaurants are also located within the park.
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Monument to France - The monument has been erected in 1930 as a symbol of gratefulness to France for the aid it had given Serbia in World War I. It was designed by famous sculptor Ivan Meštrovic. |
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City centre - Like in every other large city in the world, the main streets of Belgrade are crowded whether its day or night. And equally safe, day and night. (Knez Miahailova ulica, Trg Republike, Studentski Trg,Terazije). |
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Skadarlija, the old bohemian quarter of Belgrade dates back to late 19 th and early 20 th century. It was back then when its kafane (taverns and restaurants) were a meeting place for many of the greatest figures of the cultural scene of the period. It is often compared with the Montmartre in Paris, both for its appearance and the cheerful, vigorous artists' atmosphere.
The famous Serbian writer and painter Đura Jakšic lived and died in Skadarlija. His house has been turned into a poetry venue for "Skadarlija nights". Today, as a tourist attraction, Skadarlija offers a variety of well known restaurants like "Tri šešira", "Ima dana", "Dva jelena", "Skadarlija", "Zlatni bokal" and "Dva bela goluba", as well as galleries, antiques and souvenirs shops.
A copy of the Sebilj cesma (Sebilj fountain) from Bašcaršija in Sarajevo, stands in the upper part of Skadarlija. It is a present Sarajevo made to Belgrade
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Princess Ljubica's Mansion (Kneza Sime Markovica 8 str.)
Prince Miloš Obrenovic, had the mansion built 1831,His wife and his sons Milan and Mihailo lived there. Today it's a museum which fully preserves the architecture of 19th century townmansions.
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National bank of Serbia (Kralja Petra I 12 str.)
it was built in 1890. The project was inspired by Italian renaissance and included a very luxurious interior. The building is still serving it's original purpose - it is the seat of the National Bank of Yugoslavia.
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Manak's House (Gavrila Principa 5 str.)
Built around 1830, today it represents the last example of an old Belgrade city house. The house got the name from its owner Manak Mihajlovic, a merchant from Macedonia.
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Košutnjak Hill is a forest and a park, as well as one of the outing areas Belgraders prefer. The hill is 250 m high and covers the area of 330 hectare. The evergreen and deciduous forest is crisscrossed by many forest trails. Košutnjak Hill includes two specialized facilities: "Pionirski grad" (Pioneer Town) sports and recreational center, and "Filmski grad" (Film town) with many studios, buildings and equipment for the film industry. At the foot of the hill which was once part of the hunting grounds of the Obrenovic family is the spring called "Hajdučka cesma" .
Košutnjak Hill also has the "Košutnjak" camping grounds, the "Trim" hotel, and the restaurants "Košuta", "Golf", "Devetka", "Filmski grad" and "Panorama".
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Once and island that has been turned into a peninsula, Ada Ciganlija lies not far from the mouth of the Sava river, only 4km from the city center . Covered by thick deciduous forest, and speckled with clearings and meadows, Ada is now the largest, most beautiful and preferred outing area, beach and leisure spot of the Belgraders.
Ada Ciganlija also serves as a cultural and entertainment center of Belgrade, especially during the summer. Numerous manifestations are organized involving famous writers, actors, singers, cultural societies, choirs, bands and amateur from different fields. |
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