Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia. The city is located in the northern part of the country, at the confluence of the Sava River into the Danube. The first settlement on the territory of today's Belgrade was called Singidunum, after the name of the local tribe. Barbarian invasions destroyed ancient Singidunum. Today's city of Belgrade was rebuilt during the First Bulgarian State. The founding of the city took place after the Bulgarian prince Boris I issued the necessary document. There are at least two versions about the name of the city. According to one, the name comes from the white rocks in the vicinity. The other legend about Belgrade's name claims that in the Middle Ages the directions of the world were denoted by a colour. The colour for the west was white, and since Belgrade was at that time the westernmost point of Bulgaria, it was called Belgrade.

The city experienced centuries of Bulgarian, Hungarian and Byzantine rule. For the first time, the city came under Serbian rule very briefly at the end of the 13th century. The Sultan's Ferman of 30 November 1830 recognised the autonomy of the Belgrade pashalak under the name of the Principality of Serbia. In 1867 the Turks left Belgrade, driven out by the participants in the second Bulgarian legion, and all Serbian institutions were finally moved to the city on the Danube.

Belgrade is a beautiful and modern Serbian city. The heart of the city beats in the city's commercial centre on Terrazie Square. Nestled among modern multi-storey buildings are the department stores "Belogradanka", "Robna kuca", "Miroć", "Nama", "Beograd", the hotel "Slavia", etc. The architectural appearance of Belgrade is an incredible remake between new architecture and a rich heritage of buildings from the Ottoman era - the Dorcula style from the late 19th century and early 20th century. Among them stand out those of the Rector's Office of the University of Belgrade, the Ethnographic Museum, the Soborna Church, the Patriarchate, the Conak of Princess Ljubica, the National Theatre, the National Museum, the Assembly Hall, the former Royal Palace of 1882, the Church of St. St. Mark's Church, the Terrasian Fountain next to the Moskva Hotel, opened by Prince Milosz in 1859, the work of architect Franz Laurent, and many other buildings of architectural and historical value. Of the new generation of buildings, the three skyscrapers rising in the eastern part of Belgrade, known as the "Gates of Belgrade", are particularly impressive. They represent the tallest buildings in the country. The spacious chambers of Beogradski Sime, the international fair for industrial goods and equipment, are also impressive for their impressive architecture. Another pearl of contemporary architecture in Belgrade is the Sava International Congress Centre. Among the city's stadiums stands out the largest - "Crvena zvezda", with a capacity for more than 100,000 spectators and a stellar nickname "Serbian Maracana".

Belgrade is a university city and the country's scientific and cultural centre. Therefore, among its attractions stand out more than 30 museums and galleries. Among them stand out the museum of hunting, the museum dedicated to railway transport, as well as the one of the Serbian geographer Jovan Cviić. Belgrade also has 7 theatres, a philharmonic orchestra and many cinemas.

As an attraction for visitors to the Serbian city are the colourful old quarters "Tashmajdan" and "Palilula". On Skadarlija Street is "Belgrade's Montmartre", where artists, writers and many tourists come in summer. The cafés and restaurants, such as the Three Sheshirs, founded in 1864, are the guardians of Belgrade's true memory and atmosphere.

The modern part of Belgrade, called Novi Beograd, is home to the new Assembly building, the Gallery of Modern Art, many apartment buildings, shops, schools, all located on what were until recently deserted marshy and sandy areas along the banks of the Sava River.

Undoubtedly the oldest and most remarkable place in Belgrade, the jewel in the city's crown, is the Kalemegdan Fortress. It stands on the highest point, on the promontory formed when the Sava flowed into the Danube. The high, sturdy walls, the Stambul, Karadjordjeva, Defterdareva, Vidinska, Leopoldova gates, the Watchtowers and the deep moats are silent reminders of centuries gone by. Kalemegdan is also connected with the liberation struggles of the Bulgarians who participated in the First and Second Belgrade Legions.

In the picturesque Topcider Park, next to a huge plane tree, is another landmark of Belgrade - the former summer residence of Milos Obrenovic. Today this beautiful building, erected in Serbian national style, functions as a museum. Close to Topcider is another place for recreation and relaxation - the Kosutnjak Forest Park. An exhibition pavilion houses dolls in national costumes from different parts of the world. Sightseeing is not only in Belgrade, but also outside it. For example, 15 km southeast of the city is the famous Avala Hill, 511 m high. Here, in 1442, on the remains of the fortress of Zernov, the Ottomans led by Hodi Pasha built the fortress of Avala, the name of which translated into Bulgarian means "disturb". The fortress was not built to guard, but to disturb Belgrade, then ruled by the Hungarians. Numerous steps on the Avala hill lead to a beautiful monument - the Monument of the Unknown Warrior. Four female caryatid figures, bearing the symbolism of the Yugoslav peoples, support the lid of an ancient sarcophagus with their heads. The monument is the "brainchild" of the sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, is 14.5 m high and is made of black apple-cut granite.

Republic Square is a major meeting place in Belgrade. Around it are Belgrade's main landmarks such as the statue of Mihajlo Obrenović, the National Theatre, the National Museum and Knez Mihailova Street. It is difficult to describe all that Belgrade possesses as architectural and historical heritage. A visit to the city is an unforgettable experience. And lest anyone think that there are no churches in the city, attention is immediately focused on three of them. The Cathedral Church of St. Sava is the largest Serbian Orthodox church, built in several stages starting in 1935. The Church of St. Mark is another famous church in Belgrade, which was built between 1931 and 1940 and is located near the Parliament building. In addition, the richly painted old Soborna Church, built between 1837 and 1840, is not lacking in appeal.