Belgrade through History

Throughout history, Belgrade has often been mentioned as a gateway between East and West, a crossroads of European and Asian cultures, although it is much more than can be retold. The first settlements were built by the Celts in the third century BC, but very soon the Romans came to that area and built a large settlement Singidunum.

The Slavs (ancestors of today’s Serbs) inhabited it in the middle of the seventh century, calling this area Belgrade. For the next twelve centuries, this city was alternately conquered and built by Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and the Habsburg Monarchy, leaving its mark not only in the colorful architecture but also in the culture that intertwined to build the unique style and spirit of Belgrade.

The most important cultural and historical complex is Kalemegdan fortress, which is located at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube, and in which the Belgrade Fortress has the most important place, on whose largest plateau is Pobednik, one of the most beautiful sculptures of the famous Yugoslav sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. The fortress is surrounded by a huge park that is rich in various interesting contents and cultural events. Kalemegdan is the first place someone visits when they come to Belgrade. On Kalemegdan, there are many wooden benches with engraved names and hearts, and each of them evokes memory and has its own story, but the most romantic is Sofia’s bench, which has a unique position and the most beautiful view, especially at the end of the day.
Its spaciousness and mystery provide satisfaction to anyone who wants to enjoy a walk along the broken paths and get to know themselves or the person next to them.

“Knez Mihajlova street”
The main street of Belgrade is Knez Mihailova, which stretches from Terazije to Kalemegdan. It has gotten its present shape in the seventies of the nineteenth century, and all the buildings kept their shape. It has a large number of cultural monuments and important institutions such as the building of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Library of the City of Belgrade built in the style of Romanticism, several galleries, faculties, institutes, etc. Apart from unlimited cultural content, the most famous Belgrade street offers many places where you can enjoy food and several hundred different types of drinks.
Via Terazije Square, the busiest street – Kralja Milana, you reach the most famous Slavija Square, where the roads leading to all parts of Belgrade intersect. This is the most noticeable combination of the old and the new, that is, where the first houses built in Belgrade, artisan shops, and magnificent buildings of the new architecture are located next to each other.

The Church of Saint Sava is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, built on the site where the Turks burned the relics of Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is surrounded by a large number of cafes in whose gardens young people spend their free days. In addition to spacious gardens, the cafes also have variously decorated interiors with a view of the Temple, so everyone will find something to their liking.

Skadarlija is an all-time street in the city center that was popular both in the past and today. Famous poets, actors, and prominent Belgraders used to live and gather there. The gathering places remained authentic, but they also kept pace with the most modern standards of catering. There is no better place than Skadarlija where you can eat a traditional Serbian dinner and enjoy a traditional Serbian drink – Rakija (brandy). The atmosphere is completed by traditional tamburitza music. The most famous restaurants are Tri šešira, Zlatni bokal, Dva jelena and Esnafska kafana.

The Sava promenade is the most popular summer promenade with numerous facilities, including the Belgrade Gallery Shopping Center on the water, bars, an amphitheater under Branko’s bridge, and the entire length is a bicycle path that stretches from May 25 to Ada Ciganlija. Restaurant Savanova is unavoidable for afternoon lunch or dinner by the river. Savamala has a modern quay that was built in a part of the city like the Belgrade Waterfront. The promenade is decorated with artistic motifs because it represents a new tourist attraction of the city.

Ada Ciganlija is a river island of the Sava River and is an ecological oasis. A synonym for Ada is the Belgrade Sea, and its bathing area is one of the largest and safest in Europe. It is equipped with complete infrastructure, public baths, showers, and fountains, the use of which is free. It is located around the lake.

Joy 5 Hotel is a few-minute taxi ride to all of the best places in Belgrade we’ve mentioned above, and our friendly staff will be more than happy to help you navigate through the city and its sights.