I agreed with my friend to visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, which is only 50km from my city, Smederevo. Smederevo used to be the capital of Serbia, today it is Belgrade. Smederevo is home to the largest plain fortress in Europe, and every capital has a fortress. So, in today's capital, Belgrade, there is a beautiful fortress called Kalemegdan.
Kalemegdan - The heart of Belgrade's history
Kalemegdan is not only the most famous fortress in Serbia, but also a symbol of Belgrade, a place where history, culture and nature intertwine. Its walls tell stories that are more than two millennia old, while the view from the top of the fortress reveals the magnificent meeting of the Sava and the Danube.
The origin of the name and the importance of the fortress
The name "Kalemegdan" itself comes from the Turkish language - "kalé" means fortress, and "megdan" means the battlefield, that is, the area in front of the fortress where battles took place. Indeed, throughout the centuries, Kalemegdan was the center of war conflicts, but also a key point for controlling Belgrade.
Today, the fortress is an unmissable tourist attraction, a combination of past and present, a peaceful park and a powerful military structure that dominates the panorama of the city.
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The history of Kalemegdan through the centuries
Ancient period - Romans and Singidunum
The first traces of fortifications in this place date back to the time of the Celts, who built the Singidun settlement in the 3rd century BC. However, only with the arrival of the Romans in the 1st century AD, Kalemegdan became a real fortress.
It served the Roman legionnaires as a military camp on the border of the empire, and its remains can still be seen today - from the foundation of the gates to the fragments of the ramparts. Roman rule lasted for several centuries, but the invasions of Huns, Goths and Avars followed, which destroyed and rebuilt the fortress several times.
Middle Ages – Serbs, Byzantines and Hungarians
In the 6th century, the Byzantines under Emperor Justinian rebuilt the fortress, but in the following centuries it was also controlled by Slavs, Hungarians and even Bulgarians.
Belgrade became part of the medieval Serbian state in the 13th century, when King Dragutin received it from the Hungarian court. Then the fortress became an important center, and during the reign of the despot Stefan Lazarevic (1402–1427), Kalemegdan experienced a boom - strong walls, towers and water supply were built. Belgrade then becomes the capital of Serbia.
Ottoman and Austrian rule
In 1521, the Ottomans under the leadership of Suleiman the Magnificent conquered Belgrade and took over the fortress. Kalemegdan then gets an oriental look, with mosques, fountains and hammams.
However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the fortress changed owners several times - the Austrians conquered it in 1688, then the Turks returned it in 1690, and the Austrians occupied it again in 1717. During the Austrian rule, powerful baroque walls and bastions were built, but the Turks took Belgrade again in 1739.
19th and 20th century - liberation and modernization
In the 19th century, with the liberation of Serbia from the Ottoman Empire, Kalemegdan lost its military function and became a public park. During the First and Second World Wars, the fortress was again bombed and destroyed, but was later restored and preserved as a historical monument.
Dungeon Gate and Clock Tower
One of the most beautiful parts of the fortress is the Zindan Gate, with its massive towers and mystical atmosphere. Next to it is the Clock Tower, an Austrian building from the 18th century, which still shows the time to passers-by today.
The Roman well - the mystery under the fortress
One of the most enigmatic parts of Kalemegdan is the Roman well, which was built by the Austrians in the 18th century. It is 60 meters deep and filled with legends - some claim it was used as a dungeon, while others believe it hides secret passages.
Military Museum
For history lovers, the Military Museum in Kalemegdan offers a rich collection of weapons, uniforms and exhibits from the wars that Serbia fought.
Kalemegdan today - a combination of history and nature
Today, Kalemegdan is a favorite place for walks, excursions and research. In addition to historical sights, visitors can enjoy beautiful views, art galleries and summer concerts.
Under the snow, Kalemegdan takes on a special, almost magical atmosphere - just as I felt on that cold day with my friend when we were exploring its ancient walls. Our steps crunched on the snow, and the cold wind carried the breath of the past. We stood next to Pobednik and silently watched the rivers merge, realizing that this is not just a fortress - Kalemegdan is a living monument, a guardian of Belgrade through the centuries.
The winner is a symbol of Belgrade
The most famous monument of Kalemegdan, the work of Ivan Meštrović, was erected in 1928 as a sign of Serbia's victory in the Balkan Wars and the First World War. His tall figure looks towards the confluence of the Sava and the Danube, symbolizing Belgrade's eternal vigilance.
Church of Ružica and Chapel of Saint Petka
Hidden inside the fortress, the Ružica church is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Belgrade. The interior is decorated with chandeliers made of rifle shells, which makes it unique in the world. Not far from it is the chapel of Saint Petka, a place of pilgrimage and spiritual strength.
I hope that you liked, and enjoyed this journey with me :D
All historical information is from the internet you can find yourself
Travel Digest #2482.
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