The fortress

Drums of yesteryear!

Beogradska tvrđava (Belgrade Fortress), also known as Kalemegdan, the fortress built as a
defensive structure around 3rd century, is the oldest and the core section of the city.
Therefore, the history of the fortress is in a way equivalent to the history of Belgrade itself.
The fortress overlooks the confluence of the Sava river into the Danube and, that very spot,
next to the statue Pobednik (The Victor), done by the famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, is
probably the most beautiful lookout in Belgrade.

The name of the park, Kalemegdan, derives from two Turkish words, kale (fortress)
and meydan (battleground). However, you won’t hear any battle cries on this fortress any
more, as now it is a unique museum of Belgrade, that is, a large complex divided into 4 main
parts:

 Donji Grad (Lower Town) that occupies the slope towards the riversides. Between the lowest
section and the Danube is Kula Nebojša (Nebojša Tower), recently reopened museum by the riverside.
 Gornji Grad (Upper Town); a top section of the fortress, with beautiful promenades and the
statue of Pobednik (The Victor), Rimski bunar (Roman well), the Observatory and Planetarium, tennis
and basketball courts, etc.
 Mali Kalemegdan (Little Kalemegdan), eastern section, whose large part is occupied by the
Belgrade's zoo. When you get tired from the cacophony of animal sounds, visit the art pavilion Cvijeta
Zuzorić, also located here.
 Veliki Kalemegdan (Great Kalemegdan); with geometrical promenades, Military Museum,
Museum of forestry and hunting, and the Monument of Gratitude to France.

The fortress is also known for its kilometers long legumes, underground corridors
and catacombs, which are still largely unexplored. Mysterious remnants of the past can only
evoke the sounds of the battles and inspire you to learn about the tribes and nations that
fought here over the past. Today, the soundtrack of Kalemegdan is entirely made of pleasant
sounds: bird songs, concerts performed within Music pavilion and the loudest chess players in
the world you’ll spot while walking through wonderful parks of the fortress.
Insider tip: Look up for Kalemegdanska terasa (Kalemegdan terrace) – café/restaurant within
the fortress. You’ll find this quest worthwhile when you sip your drink with THE view of
Belgrade.
Bohemian style
Starogradska muzika (old city music)

For those who are into vintage, we present the neighborhood generally considered the main
bohemian quarter of Belgrade, styled as the Belgrade Montmartre.

Skadarlija began to acquire its bohemian character in the last few decades of the 19th
century, when the well-known Dardaneli inn was demolished and its guests, prominent writers
and actors, moved to the Skadarlija inns or kafanas. The house of Đura Jakšić, a well known
writer and painter, who lived and died in Skadarlija, has been turned into a meeting place for
the poets participating in the Skadarlija Evenings event.

Best known kafanas are Tri šešira (Three Hats), Dva jelena (Two Deer), Zlatni bokal (The
Golden Chalice), Ima dana(There will be days) and Dva bela goluba (Two White Doves).
Skadarlija restaurants have hosted many celebrities over the decades, such as Alfred
Hitchcock, Jimi Hendrix, Josip Broz Tito, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, chess player Anatoly
Karpov and many others.

The present Skadarlija, a short and curved street, is a remarkable Belgrade tourist attraction.
Since 1993, the official opening of the summer season in Skadarlija has been marked by rising a
"bohemian flag". The flagpole is located in front of the Zlatni bokal restaurant. The ceremony
is always attended by celebrities, including popular and opera singers, actors, and artists.

Insider tip: If you wish to visit Skadarlija, but still listen to the good old rock ’n’ roll, look for
the Red bar.

Royal complex in Dedinje

It’s time to hear some court music!
Your Majesty, it’s time for a royal treatment! If you got tired of night life and walk among the
mortals, you should head toward Dedinje, posh and exclusive part of Belgrade, where
the Royal Palace and the White Palace are situated. The Royal Palace was built between 1924
and 1929, on orders by King Alexander I, as the official royal residence. It is designed in the
Serbian-Byzantine style, surrounded by pergolas, park terraces, pools, a pavilion and a concert
terrace. Located on the ridge of a hill, it provides a magnificent view of Dedinje, the Košutnjak
forest, Topčider and Avala.

Within the same complex, a residence for sons of King Alexander I had been built and named
the White Palace. Its salons are arranged in the styles of Louis XV and Louis XVI and it contains
a valuable art collection including notable art works by Rembrandt, Fromentin, Vouet, Poussin,
Bourdou, Jakšić, Meštrović and many others. It also contains the Royal Library that once housed
around 35,000 books and the Ceremonial Dining Hall set up in the Chippendale style.

The palace complex also contains the Royal Family Church modeled after the Church of the
Monastery of St. Andrew on Treska in Macedonia.

Palaces are open for visits on weekends, during the tourist season, as it is a home of His Royal
Highness Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and his family.

Insider tip: If you happen to visit the Royal Complex while the Royal family is at their ‘humble
home’, don’t hesitate to use the opportunity to chat with them and take a picture with them.
Afterwards, you can boast that you’ve hanged out with the Royalty on your visit to Serbia.