Nis, Serbia

Nis is the third largest city in Serbia, with a population of 260 thousand people with the agglomeration. In addition, this city with thousands of years of history has earned the nickname "City of Emperors". Three Roman emperors set out from Nis to become the most famous: the first Christian emperor and founder of Constantinople-Constantine the Great; Constantius III, the Western Roman Emperor; and Justin I, the Eastern Roman Emperor. The road from Northern, Western and Central Europe branches at Nis into two main lines: the southern line leads to Thessaloniki and Athens, and the eastern line to Sofia and Istanbul.

These routes have been used by peoples, goods and armies since ancient times and were known as the "Via Militaris" in the Roman and Byzantine periods and the "Constantinople Road" in the Middle Ages. The strategic location of this place dates back as a settlement to thousands of years B.C. The first mention of the city of Naissus (Nis) was during the Roman period between 168 and 75 B.C., when the city developed as an important garrison and trading centre in the province of Mysia. In 272 AD, the future emperor Constantine the Great was born in Naissus.

For a short time, Naissus was the capital of the province he created, Dacia Medterranea. The city was completely destroyed by the troops of the Hun chieftain Attila in 441. In 805 Nis was captured by the Bulgarian ruler Khan Krum. It then passed into the hands of several rulers for a short time, until it fell into the hands of the troops of Murad I. After 400 years of Ottoman rule, Nis was liberated in 1878 and handed over to the Principality of Serbia under the Treaty of Berlin. 

Today, Niš is one of the most important economic centres in Serbia, especially in the electronics, mechanical engineering, textile and tobacco industries. The weather for visiting the city is suitable throughout the year, with July being the warmest month with an average temperature of 22.5 degrees, and the proximity of Suva Mountain providing coolness on hot summer days.

A walk around the city of Nis could start at the main square of King Milan I, ruler of Serbia from 1868 to 1889 and did enough to strengthen its independence. The square is wide with a majestic monument to the Liberators, beautiful modern buildings and a fountain spreading life-giving moisture.

The Niš Fortress is the other important landmark of Niš, located in the city centre. Built as a fortification by the Turks in the early 18th century, it is one of the best preserved fortresses of its kind not only in Serbia but also on the Balkan Peninsula. It covers an area of 22 hectares with the total length of the walls being 2 km, their height about 8 m and thickness -3 m. The building stone brought from the nearby quarries is very well hewn, and the entire fortress was surrounded by a moat, part of which has been preserved to this day. The main Stambol gate is the best preserved, and the fortress cafes around it are a great place to relax.

To go to Niš and not visit the famous craftsmen's street known as the "Kazanji Sokace" is unthinkable. Built in the early 18th century, when there were many artisan shops, today it is a place where you can stay in one of the many cafes in the shade for a cup of aromatic coffee. Some of the old buildings have been preserved, so you can briefly immerse yourself in the past of this interesting town. At the beginning of the street you are greeted by an interesting sculptural composition of the Serbian writer Stevan Stremac and his character Kalcha with his faithful dog. A souvenir photo from here-for sure. Nearby is the Kalcha shopping centre.

A modest monument with a bronze obelisk to Constantine the Great was erected on one of the central bridges over the Nishava River in 2013. He has his gaze fixed upwards as if he sees the vision with the inscription "With this sign you will conquer", and the columns are cut in the shape of Christ's monogram.This monument symbolizes Constantine the Great's victory over Maxentius' troops in 312 on the Milvian Bridge on the river Nisza. Tiber in Rome. This victory largely determined the rapid acceptance of the Christian religion in the Roman Empire and shaped the culture and social identity of Western civilization.

Cegar is a place near Nis where the unequal battle between the rebels led by Stevan Sinjelic and the Turkish troops took place in 1809.  The monument is in the shape of a tower, and in one of its niches there is a bust of the warlord who died together with 3000 rebels. The losses of the Turkish troops were twice as many, and furious, the Padishah ordered a tower to be built from the skulls of the rebels.

This formidable Skull Tower is located on the Blvd. "Zoran Djindjic" on the old Constantinople road leading to Sofia and is housed in a small chapel.

Another interesting historical landmark of Nis is the concentration camp "Red Cross"-one of the few preserved in Europe, located on Blvd. "12 February. It was established in 1941 and run by the Gestapo, and Serbs, Jews, Romanians and others were detained here during World War II. It is estimated that more than 10 thousand people found their death here.

Bubanj Memorial Park is a historical landmark of great importance. Erected in one of Niš's neighbourhoods of the same name in 1963, it represents three monumental clenched fists , symbolising the resistance of the people during the Second World War. At the same time, it commemorates the 10,000 hostages who were shot during World War II in this place.

Mediana is an archaeological site located at the eastern entrance of Nis on the road to Sofia, representing an imperial villa from the late Roman period.

About 4 km outside the city, it occupies an area of 40 hectares with more than half of the site not yet explored. This villa was also used as a residence by the Nis-born Constantine the Great and his sons. Destroyed by Attila's Huns in the 5th century, what remains shows that it was beautifully and modernly furnished. The ancient mosaics , including those of Medusa (the most famous and only mortal among the Gorgon sisters) and the half-reclining figure of the water god Neptune, are of great historical value.

Also in the villa there was a temple dedicated to the nymphs, thermal pools, a granary (oreum) , and also a water tower.Today, the entire complex is covered with an interestingly ribbed arcaded roof, which preserves the archaeological finds and allows the viewing to be enjoyable. The most valuable find from Roman times is a bronze enclosure with herms and busts of the deities Aesculapius and Luna from the late third and early fourth centuries.  Many of the finds of Villa Mediana can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Nis.

A stroll around Niš is especially pleasant on summer evenings, when the main street and the square are packed with people and the splash and kebabs are a must in one of the many restaurants. And an evening boat trip on the Nisava River is an amazing experience.