Zemun, Serbia

Zemun is a settlement on the west bank of the river. It is located on the west bank of the Sava River, where it flows into the Danube. With a population of 160 thousand people today, Zemun was a town near Belgrade, but has gradually become its landmark district. The founders of the settlement are considered to be the people of the Celtic tribe of Skordids, who inhabited the southern parts of the Middle Danube Lowland and they gave it the name Taurunum or "Place of the Shore". Then the Romans, the Byzantines and the Bulgarians took turns and named the settlement Zemun-land. In a later period the town was conquered by the Hungarians, who left a legacy of interesting architecture of Western Europe. The fall to Ottoman rule in the early 16th century was met with much resistance and sacrifice, and the events of the time were described by the Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi.

Today, Zemun is a peaceful and beautiful neighborhood, more of a city within a city, as it has its own character near the capital Belgrade. A walk around the city can start from the promenade along the river. Danube, where the centuries-old trees, beautiful gazebos and benches create the feeling that it will be nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The townspeople are fond of coastal outings with some of them fishing. The island of Velika Ratni in the Danube is historically associated with the capture of Belgrade by the troops of Suleiman the Magnificent. Today, at the upper end of this small island is the famous Lido beach. In summer, on the pontoon bridge connecting Zemun to the island, residents and visitors can spend pleasant moments on the beach. The coastal Zemun restaurants offer mainly fish specialties. And every year in August, a culinary competition is held for fish dishes with representatives from the Danube towns under the name 'Golden Danube Wheelbarrows'.

The sights around the old part of the town are linked to the interesting architecture of the 19th century houses. Impressive is the Sprit House from 1853, built in neo-Gothic style, which was owned by a Greek family. Of outstanding architectural execution are the Caramata House of 1763 in the Baroque style; the Magistrate's Building of 1826, which today houses the Zemun Court; the Post Office of 1896, and others.

One of Zemun's most important and emblematic landmarks is the four-towered Magyar fortress erected on Gardas Hill in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Hungary. It is also called the tower of Hunyadi because of his great services in the struggles against the Ottoman invasion.  Besides the admirable architecture, the visitor can enjoy the magnificent view from the top of the tower.

Interesting is the house of Dimitri Davidovich, built in the classical style at the end of the 18th century. It is also worth seeing the Ichko House, which belonged to the Bulgarian merchant and first Serbian diplomat Petar Ichko.

In Zemun, the oldest locksmith's workshop in the town, or the so-called Pantelicev workshop from 1854, has been preserved.

The ancient churches of St. St. Nicholas Church from 1745, the Church of Our Lady from 1783, the Chapel of St. Arachangel" from 1786 and "Sv. Roca" of 1830, are well maintained and functioning.

With high-rise buildings, modern shops, restaurants, cafes and parks, Zemun is a modern city-quarter offering entertainment for all tastes.