What Beograd is known for

One of the predominant historical sights in Beograd is the Beograd Fortress, constructed over centuries and strategically built on a hill above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Today, the Beograd Fortress serves as an open-air museum. Reportedly, the focal point of the historic site—comprised of Kalemegdan Park and the Beograd Fortress—is the Pobednik Monument, symbolizing Beograd. Upon exploring the area, people can come across the Roman Well, the Great Gunpowder Warehouse, the Military Bunker, and the Clock Tower. Additionally, people can visit various exhibitions at the Military Museum, Nebojša Tower, and the Museum of Natural History. Moreover, along the landscaped path, there are sculptures dating from the early 20th century that are dedicated to writers, composers, and other notable figures.[7] 

Apart from its fortress, Beograd offers several other historic areas and buildings that stand as some of its attractions. These include Skadarlija, the National Museum, the National Theatre, Zemun, Nikola Pašić Square, Terazije, Students' Square, Kalemegdan Fortress, and the Old Palace. The city also has various parks, monuments, museums, cafés, restaurants, and shops along both riverbanks. For panoramic views of the city, visitors can head to the Avala Monument and Avala Tower. Another attraction is the neighborhood of Dedinje, located near Topčider and Košutnjak parks, featuring the White Palace, the royal family Karađorđević's residence, which is open to visitors and houses several artworks. Nearby, Josip Broz Tito's mausoleum, known as The House of Flowers, provides insights into the life of the former Yugoslav president.[1]

People seeking outdoor recreation can venture to Lake Sava on Ada Ciganlija, which is the largest open swimming area in the Republic of Serbia, featuring approximately six kilometers of man-made beaches. During the summer bathing season, it attracts up to 150,000 visitors daily. Over the past 5 years, 99.8% of water samples met the criteria for surface waters' first and second categories, indicating its suitability for various uses, including drinking, bathing, recreation, irrigation, and industrial purposes. With its clean water, beaches, and green surroundings close to the city center, Lake Sava on Ada Ciganlija is one of the recommended experiences for both domestic and international visitors.[8]

Geography

Beograd can be found situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. The historical center, Kalemegdan, is on the right bank of both rivers. Over time, the city expanded south and east, with New Belgrade's development on the Sava River's left bank after World War II, linking it with Zemun. Smaller residential areas such as Krnjača, Kotež, and Borča merged with the city, while Pančevo, an industrialized satellite city, remained separate. Beograd now covers an urban area of approximately 360 square kilometers, extending to 3,223 square kilometers with its metropolitan area. Central Beograd on the right bank is hilly, with the highest point being Torlak Hill at 303 meters. The terrain is predominantly flat across the Sava and Danube, composed of alluvial plains and loessial plateaus.[1]

Concerning the green areas within Beograd, Kalemegdan Park is the largest park in the city, occupying a central location within the Beograd Fortress. In the late 19th century, the plateau within the fortress was transformed into this park with additions such as the Grand Staircase and flowerbed-lined walkways being made between the two World Wars. Kalemegdan Park offers a range of attractions, including museums, galleries, cultural and historical monuments, the fortress itself, a zoo, and various recreational activities, making it a destination among tourists.[6] Another one, the Sava Park, stands as one of Beograd's largest green spaces in the city center, covering an expansive area equivalent to four football fields. This park offers an environment for active pastimes, daily leisure activities, and relaxation beneath the shade of over 140 trees. The park provides a considerable number of outdoor activities available both during the summer and winter seasons.[4]

Beograd receives approximately 680 millimeters of annual precipitation, with late spring being the wettest period. May and September typically experience average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. The warmest month in Belgrade tends to be August, with an average maximum temperature of 31°C. In contrast, January is most commonly the coldest month, with the highest average temperature being 6°C. When it comes to rainfall, June stands out as the wettest month, recording 82 millimeters of rainfall. Conversely, January is the driest month on average, with 49 millimeters of precipitation. As for the sunniest month in Beograd, July has an average of 290 hours of sunshine.[5]

History

The area around Beograd has a history of human habitation dating back to the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic eras, with evidence of chipped stone tools, including some from the Neanderthal Mousterian industry. Aurignacian and Gravettian tools suggest settlements in the region between 50,000 and 20,000 years ago. The first farming communities in the area are associated with the Neolithic Starčevo culture, which developed between 6200 and 5200 BC. Additionally, a Paleolithic human skull from before 5000 BC was discovered in the city. In antiquity, the region was inhabited by Paleo-Balkan tribes such as the Thracians and Dacians. The town was initially called Singidūn and became part of the Roman Empire, eventually evolving into a full-fledged colonia.[1]

In 442, the Huns devastated the city, leading to a series of changes in ownership as it passed through the control of the Sarmatians, Goths, and Gepidae before being reclaimed by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. Subsequently, it came under the rule of the Franks and the Bulgars, eventually transforming into a frontier town of the Byzantine Empire during the 11th century.[2] The Serbian rule over Beograd began in 1284 when Serbian king Dragutin, a vassal of the Hungarian king Ladislav IV, gained control over Mačva and Belgrade. After Dragutin's death, the Hungarians captured and destroyed Beograd in 1319, becoming a border foothold against Serbian expansion. Later, in the 15th century, during the rule of Despot Stefan Lazarević, Beograd reportedly experienced a resurgence. It became the capital of the Serbian state and an economic, cultural, and religious center. However, the Hungarians regained control during Đurađ Branković's reign, altering the population structure and causing stagnation.[3]

During the Ottoman rule, Beograd served as a trade hub, facilitating the exchange of goods from various regions within the Ottoman Empire. Following the initial Serbian uprising led by Karadjordje in 1804, Beograd briefly became the capital of Serbia from 1807 to 1813, but the Turks later recaptured it. In 1867, the Serbs regained control of the citadel, leading to Beograd's reestablishment as the capital of Serbia. Starting in 1921, Beograd assumed the role of the capital for three successive Yugoslav states, including the remnant Yugoslavia.[2]