FORTRESSES  & TOWERS

In Belgrade, along the right Danube bank, prehistoric settlements, Roman and Medieval border fortresses, monasteries and churches as well as dynamic shapes of a modern city are found. Material traces testify about the life along the Danube at the dawn of civilization, while numerous designs conjure up the appearance of Belgrade as “the city of the future of South-East Europe” on the banks of the Danube.

The Belgrade Fortress is the largest and the most important historical complex of monuments in Belgrade, constructed with its defensive character above the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. It came into being gradually over a long period of time stretching between the 1st and the 18th century. The first fortification was built by the Romans towards the end of the 2nd century AD. Attila the Hun destroyed Roman Singidunum in 441. During its long history it was destroyed and reconstructed by many conquerors, among them Byzantines, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Serbs, Turks, Austrians and Germans.

Nebojša Tower, on the very bank of the river, is the largest and the best preserved tower out of the once 38 towers of the Belgrade Fortress. Once it guarded the entrance into the medieval marina. In Turkish times, it was turned into a dungeon, while today, thanks to a multicultural exhibition, it brings up historical events for the visitors, having recently been transformed into a Serbian-Greek Cultural Center.

The Zemun Fortress was built on the top of Gardoš Hill above the beautiful quay on the Danube and authentic old streets of the Lower Town of Zemun. Built by the Romans by the name of Taurunum, the castrum was on a latter date transformed into a castle by the Hungarians.

Celebrating one Millennium of their presence as a state in Europe, in 1896 they have built the Gardoš or Millennium Tower amongst the ruins left of what once was Medieval Zemun Fortress, built in 14th century. From the top of the tower you can have an ideal viewpoint and see “half of Belgrade”.