Belgrade, or Beograd as its citizens know it, is the ‘White City’ that stands on the confluence of the mighty Danube and the River Sava. Continuously inhabited since the 6th Century BC, the city has withstood many attacks and regime changes. Belgrade is the capital of the Republic of Serbia, and was once the capital city of Yugoslavia.
One of the largest cities in the Balkans, it has a population of almost 1.25 million, and is extremely well connected by air with all major cities in the Europe and the Middle East. The architecture reflects its lineage beautifully, which varies from Byzantine and Ottoman to neoclassic and romantic buildings in the older neighborhoods, and from Art Nouveau to brutalism and neo-Byzantine design in New Belgrade. The city’s many theatres, museums, monuments and opera houses boast a deep and fissured cultural life, while the beaches and rivers attract sunbathers, sports enthusiasts and partygoers on the popular floating river barges that serve as nightclubs.
Church of St Sava
A visit to the Belgrade Fortress at Kalamegdan is an absolute must for a stunning panoramic view of the city and the two rivers that dominate it. If you are travelling with children, the Belgrade Zoo adjacent to the fortress makes for a great visit with a stunning variety of animals on display.
The cosmopolitan nature of Belgrade is showcased by a walk down Knez Mihailova, the end close to Kalamegdan has quaint little stalls, the street is lined with cafes serving delicious coffee and as you approach Terazije the shopaholic in you will be enticed by fashionable stores catering to every taste.
The Church of St. Sava is the largest church in the Balkans and dominates the Belgrade skyline. Its rich interiors, typical of Orthodox church and checking out the revivalist Byzantine design should be on your do to list. If you have more than a day in Belgrade, you ought to explore the riverfronts that have countless cafes and sporting activities for visitors of all ages.
There are also the Church of Archangel Michael and the Cathedral of St. Mark or the Crkva Svetog Marka that are worth a visit. The present building was completed in 1940 on the site of a wooden church dating back to 1835. Located in central Belgrade’s Tašmajdan park neighborhood, it is one of the largest churches in the country. Not too far away is Parliament building. Above the outside entrance to the church, you’ll find a mosaic of the Apostle Mark, for whom the church is named. It is filled with centuries old icons, and several rulers of Serbia are buried in the crypt.
A visit to this city would be incomplete if you do not take a trip to Skardalija. The first houses in Belgrade were built here in 1717-1739, as part of the exterior defensive belt of the city. In the 1860s, small cafes and taverns were opened in Skadarska Street, and artists began to gather there, creating a specific atmosphere and a unique spirit of the place. The preserved ambience of the winding, tree-lined street in cobblestones and old houses with well-known taverns of the still burning “bohemian centre” are a particularly precious feature of Belgrade.
Avala Tower
If you happen to be in Belgrade longer than a day or two, there is enough to keep you occupied in this city. The ever-popular Ada Ciganlija and Belgrade Lake offer tons of daily and evening forms of entertainment. Perfect for cycling or rollerblading, Ada Ciganlija has wonderful bike trails and nature paths, all surrounding the lake. This is a real local hot spot on warm, summer days.
If you have a sense of adventure and are not afraid of heights, drive a short distance outside Belgrade to Avala. The Avala Tower, built in 1965 and destroyed by NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999, was rebuilt in 2010, becoming the tallest telecommunications tower in the Balkans. The original tower, with an observation deck, was a source of pride for the region. Public donations paid for the tower’s rebuilding. It can be found on Avala Mountain on the outskirts of Belgrade. At 206 metres (675 feet) high, it is the fifth tallest structure in Serbia; you can literally see for miles and miles from the observation deck.
One of the greatest scientific minds ever was a native Belgrade. Nikola Tesla’s name may now be synonymous with electric cars but he is forever immortalised in Belgrade in a museum in Central Belgrade on Krunska Avenue dedicated to his work, as well as having the honour of having the city’s main airport named after him. Well over a century ago, Tesla energised electricity, inventing the AC system, the electric coil and related items. Generations later, these inventions would lead to a car named after him, the Tesla electric car. They also led to a museum dedicated to his work in central Belgrade. 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 computerised models of his inventions.
The Republic Square is in the center of Belgrade, housing important public buildings like the National Museum and National Theatre.
Hotel Moskva
Republic Square is famous for its monument of Prince Mihailo on horseback, built in recognition of his achievements during the 19th century. Today, Republic Square is a famous Belgrade attraction for its beauty, cafes, lounges and restaurants, and a favourite for its constant hustle and bustle.
Belgrade is best visited in the summer, between July and September, when you can fully appreciate the cafes on the streets and walk the streets in the wee hours of the night.
— The writer is a holistic wellness expert from Bosnia based in New Delhi
