Visiting Belgrade
‘’The sky above Belgrade is spacious and lofty, changeable but always beautiful, and that is true of the clear winter weather with its abundance of frost, and of the summer storms in which the whole sky swells into a single dark cloud, wind-driven and frenzied, that brings rain mixed with the dust of the great Pannonian plain; and it is so in the springtime, when it seems to burst into flowers just like the earth beneath it, and also in the autumn when it grows heavy with the swarming clusters of stars. It is always lovely and generous, as if to make up for all the things which this strange town cannot offer, and to give comfort for all the things that by right should not exist in it.
But the greatest glory of this dome above Belgrade is its sunsets. During the summer and autumn, they are as vast and incandescent as desert mirages, while in the winter they are muted in russet mists and somber clouds. And at all seasons of the year there often are days when the blaze of this sun, setting in the plain between the two rivers under Belgrade, glances away into the high bowl of the sky, to break there and scatter itself in a red shimmer over the whole far-flung town. At such moments, even the most godforsaken back alleys of Belgrade light up unexpectedly and the sun kindles even house windows which ordinarily lie fallow and colorless.’’
Written about Belgrade by: Ivo Andrić, Serbian Nobel Prize Laureate (1961)
Source I. Andrić. Woman from Sarajevo (translated by Joseph Hitrec). Published by A. Knoph, 1965.
Photo: "Pobednik monument, Kalemegdan, Belgrade" under CC3.0 licence; Author: Janos Guljas
Written about Belgrade in ..
- BBC Travel, The Perfect Belgrade Itinerary
- CNN Travel, 10 best places to visit in Belgrade
- Euronews Travel, Beautiful Belgrade: A city of contrasts and culture
- Vogue, Is Belgrade the New Berlin?
- The New York Times ►Travel , 36 Hours in Belgrade
- The Guardian ► Travel, Insider's guide to Belgrade: endless coffees and partying until infinity
Attractions in Belgrade ..
The Old Kalemegdan Fortress
Some 115 battles have been fought over the Old Kalemegdan Fortress; the citadel was destroyed more than 40 times throughout the centuries. Fortifications began in Celtic times, and the Romans extended it. Much of what stands today is the product of 18th-century Austro-Hungarian and Turkish reconstructions.
Pobednik Monument (Statue of the Victor) is the city’s most recognizable landmark and famous Belgrade attraction located at the Belgrade Fortress.
Knez Mihailova Street
Every city has one particular street that oozes charm surrounded with historic buildings and filled with gift/souvenir shops. In Belgrade, this street is Knez Mihailova Street. The street is one of the oldest streets in Belgrade and joins the Old Kalemegdan Fortress to the Republic Square and the central area of Belgrade.
Photo by Aleksandar Matić (TOB)
Republic Square and National Museum
At the southern end of Knez Mihailova Street is the Republic Square surrounded by cultural landmarks such as the National Museum and National Theatre. This is Belgrade’s main meeting point and the starting point of many city tours. The monument to Prince Mihailo Obrenović occupies the central area of the Square. The National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Serbia where visitors can get acquaint with Serbian history and art.
Photo by Rico van Manen (CC-by-2.0 licence)
House of the National Assembly of Serbia
The house of National Assembly is one of the monumental buildings in Belgrade. Initially, it was built in 1936 as a seat of National Assembly of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. It may be the finest and most photogenic building in Belgrade.
Photo by Konrad Zielinski (CC-BY-SA licence)
St. Sava Church
St. Sava Church is the Balkans' biggest and the world's second biggest Orthodox church. With a 70 meters high dome and topped with a gilded cross 12 meters high, the Church dominates Belgrade’s skyline. The fountain in front of the Church provides the space with a special charm. The National Library of Serbia is located nearby the St. Sava Church.
Photo by Michael Angelkovich (CC3.0 licence)
Nikola Tesla Museum
The museum presents the life and work of this great inventor with a strong vision of the future. The Nikola Tesla Museum contains thousands of documents, books, photographs and drawings related to his work of electrifying the world. The museum also houses interactive exhibitions including virtual models of his inventions or fully-functioning reproductions.
Photo by Mister No (CC3.0 licence)
Skadarlija
Skadarlija is one of the most famous streets in Belgrade. It is known as Belgrade’s Bohemian Quarter with famous traditional taverns and restaurants, and as a place where the true history of Belgrade can be felt.
Photo by Aleksandar Matić (TOB)
Belgrade peaceful areas
There are lot of places in Belgrade where you can relax and enjoy in your spare time. It is quite nice for a change to escape from everyday busy life and get a change of perspectives. Ada Ciganlija is one of the three most beautiful city islands in the world. This island on the Sava has been reclaimed and turned into a peninsula. This green oasis, near the center of Belgrade, is surrounded by forest, countless cafes, restaurants, cycling tracks and sports fields.
Photo by Aleksandar Matić (TOB)
Belgrade nightlife
Belgrade nightlife, according to most tourists, is among the biggest Belgrade attractions. There are many clubs in Belgrade, which offer vibrant nightlife. Belgrade has earned its reputation as a city with best nightlife in the Region.
Photo source: serbia-tourism.org
