Monuments to visit Belgrade (Београд)

St. Sava's Cathedral, which dominates the city with its glittering dome, is today the largest Orthodox church in Europe (if you consider that Russia west of the Urals is off limits). Adorned with four 44 m high bell towers, topped by a dome rising 70 m above the ground and extending over an area of 91 by 81 m², St. Sava's church impresses by its monumentality and its Byzantine elegance. Its simple Greek cross plan and its 18 domes, each surmounted by a three-dimensional golden cross, give it an incomparable majesty. The church is perched on the hill of Vračar, visible for 80 km from wherever you come from!

To understand the earthly and spiritual significance of this building, one must go back far in Serbian history. On April 27, 1594, the vizier Sinan Pasha ordered to transfer the relics of the holy monk Sava from the monastery of Mileševa in southern Serbia and to burn them on this hill. This gesture of unquestionable symbolic significance was intended by the Ottomans to signify definitively the opposition of the Turks to the Serbian desire for independence. King Alexander was assassinated in Marseille before he could attend the first works started in 1935. Then the building site was interrupted because of the German bombardments of 1941, and Tito refused to resume the work begun by the king. It was not until the death of the communist dictator that the work was continued from 1985.

This beautiful Orthodox church located in the park of Tašmajdan surprises with its red and ochre colors as well as the materials used, which range from brick to wood to bronze. It was built in the 1930s, based on the model of the monastery of Gračanica: in the medieval Serbian Orthodox style, organized according to a Greek cross plan and equipped with twelve domes. This church is dear to the hearts of Belgraders because it houses the relics of Tsar Dušan (1308-1355), which were transferred from the Monastery of the Holy Exchanges in Prizren.

At the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the fortress of Kalemegdan is the pride of the Serbs, who often cite it among the most remarkable monuments of the country. It is in fact a monumental complex, an aggregation of all the influences of the country that is concentrated on this ancient fortified site, which almost certainly dates back to Roman times. The oldest buildings on the current site were built by the Serbian despot Stefan Lazarević in the 14th century, before the complex was completely rebuilt by the Austrians from 1717, following the fortification principles of Vauban. The huge construction site was barely completed, but the Austrians sabotaged it when they had to abandon it to the Ottomans, who recovered the city. From 1739 to 1830, the Turks established their most advanced point in the Balkans, overlooking the Austrian border on the other bank of the Sava. They added their own buildings, a number of which are preserved in the upper part of the fortress, such as the fountain of Mehmed Pasha Sokolović erected in 1576 (of Serbian origin, sent by force to the janissaries at the age of 8). Also worth seeing is the mausoleum(türbe) of Damad Ali Pasha, vizier killed in Petrovaradin in 1716, or the hammam built in 1870. The fortress is also interesting for its various medieval towers and gates. The oldest is the Despot Tower, a square tower used in the 14th century as the main entrance to the fortress. To reach the Military Museum from the center, one passes under a succession of gates, such as the Istanbul Gate built in 1750 or the Karađorđe Gate erected in 1806. Another notable monument is the Nebojša Tower, which was built in 1460 and used in the Middle Ages as a stopover between the old port on the Sava River and the upper town. In the 18th century it was transformed into a dungeon, and Greek revolutionaries were tortured and executed there in 1789. In the lower town there are some remains of the medieval period - fragments of walls and mounds - and churches. The church of St. Petka is built against the wall and honors the Greek saint. The small church Ružica is known to all Belgrade students who go there before an exam. Right next to it is the ossuary of the heroes of 1914-1915, when the city was defended by the population. Very popular with the locals, the park is also open at night, for a romantic stroll and a breathtaking view under the starry sky.

The monument of gratitude to France. You will find the monument at the entrance of the Kalemegdan park, coming from the pedestrian street Knez Mihailova. Erected in 1930 by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović in Art Deco style, it is intended as a tribute of the Serbian people to France for the help it gave them during the First World War. Indeed, it was the Army of the East that recovered the Serbian army in 1915 and, from the Salonika front, made a victorious advance through Serbia in the fall of 1918. It is this spirit of sacrifice and the strong ties that were forged on this occasion between Serbs and French that Meštrović wanted to honor. Under several bas-reliefs of French soldiers, it is written, "We love France as she loved us."

The Army Museum (+381 11 334 3441, www.muzej.mod.gov.rs. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm). In the upper part of the medieval fortress are exhibited more than 40,000 items relating to the military history of the former Yugoslavia, from the earliest times to the present day. Weapons, uniforms and documents on the haiduk revolts against the Turks, Serbian and French uniforms of the famous French Army of the East that liberated Serbia in 1918, etc. A colorful museum and an excellent testimony to various aspects of Serbian history. In front of the museum, visitors can admire a whole range of Yugoslav, American, French and Soviet tanks from the Second World War.

The winner of Belgrade. At the end of the fortress, overlooking the meeting of the Sava and the Danube, you can see the symbol of the city of Belgrade: perched on a high neoclassical column, stands, in a proud and serene attitude, a young soldier carrying a message of peace. Built in 1928 by Ivan Meštrović, this imposing sculpture recalls the sacrifices of the Serbian army for the liberation of the homeland in 1918, alongside the famous French Army of the East.

Kalemegdan Zoo (+381 11 26 245 26, [email protected] - www.beozoovrt.rs - Open every day of the year. Ticket offices are open from 8am to 7pm. Tickets: 500 dinars for an adult, 300 dinars for children). Dating from 1936, thezoo located at the bottom of the Kalemegdan park is one of the oldest in Europe. You can discover more than 2,000 animals including a hippopotamus born in November 2012. Don't miss the Siberian tigers either.

Ružica Church. Located in the upper part of the Belgrade fortress, in front of the Zindan gate. According to tradition, the first church with the same name was built in the 15th century during the reign of the despot Stefan Lazarević. In 1521, it was completely destroyed by the Turks. Notice the candelabras made from bullets, it is original to say the least!

To climb up to Zemun's iconic monument also known as Gardoš Tower, Кула на Гардошу, take Gardoš and Strma streets, charming little streets lined with typical low houses. At the end of the climb stands the Millennium Tower, built in 1896, in honor of the 1,000th anniversary of the arrival of the Hungarians in Pannonia. Recognizable by its red bricks and its Hungarian-style roof, this tower, symbol of Zemun, offers a superb view of the Danube, Belgrade and the many churches of old Zemun.

This hotel, located on Terazije Avenue, is a true historical monument, built on six levels in 1906 in the Art Nouveau style, and has since acquired a legendary reputation in the capital. It has hosted all the great personalities of the time and was the meeting place of Belgrade's intellectuals and artists in the first half of the 19th century. The fountain at its entrance, built in 1860, is the geographical center of the Balkans: all distances from Belgrade originate from this reference point.

Built on the initiative of Prince Michael Obrenović and according to the plans of Alexander Bugarski, the national theater is inspired by the theaters of Central Europe of the same period. It is decorated with neoclassical sculptures and Renaissance decorations. All in all, it is a very beautiful ensemble. The theater opened its doors in 1869. Resisting the turbulent historical events that marked Serbian history decades back, the National Theater serves as a symbol and witness of the preservation of Serbian culture and tradition.

You will find this monument at the entrance of the Kalemegdan park. Erected in 1930 by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović in an Art Deco style, it is a tribute from the Serbian people to France for the help it gave them during the First World War. Meštrović wanted to honor the spirit of sacrifice and the strong ties that were formed on that occasion between Serbs and French. Under several bas-reliefs, it is written, "We love France as she loved us."

This beautiful residence was built for Prince Miloš Obrenović on top of the former royal park. The prince resided here intermittently during his first reign, then continuously during the second, until his death in 1860. The architecture of the residence combines the Balkan style (wooden windows, brick roof with ridges) and the Central European style (geometric plan and large perspectives). Inside the building there is an interesting permanent exhibition about the First and Second Serbian revolts against the Turks as well as family portraits of the Obrenović dynasty. The building is located in the middle of a very pleasant park, where Belgraders like to take a walk sheltered from the heat and wind.

In the park of Topčider, we discover the environment of the princes in the 19th century, including the private church of Prince Obrenović, dedicated to the holy apostles Peter and Paul. It was built in 1832 on the very spot where, 28 years earlier, the prince escaped the execution ordered by his rival Karađorđe. Its simple Greek cross plan with two baroque-style belfries, as well as the use of warm-hued stone, give it great elegance. The 13 hectares of the park are rich in majestic trees and rare flowers. We won't leave without seeing the Topčider railway station building. In a truly Central European style, this once important station of the Belgrade network is quite small and graceful with its half-timbering.

The Zemun market is a real city within the city. Every day, small farmers sell their fruits and vegetables here - in summer, try the delicious watermelons - but also Belgraders come to buy homemade pita, fish or soups. In the northern part of the market, a multitude of kiosks offer their handicrafts. The market is surrounded by several restaurants, which is ideal on sunny days. Everyone seems to know each other.

The Bajrakli Mosque in Belgrade, also known as Bayrakli, is the only surviving mosque in the capital, in a city that once under Ottoman rule had no less than eighty! Built around 1575, it has been renovated several times but has kept some of its original elements, such as the entrance courtyard. Its current name dates from the 18th century: it comes from the Turkish word bayrak which means "flag", in reference to the flag that was hoisted on the mosque at the time of the call to prayer.