Belgrade

Belgrade was initially established as a fortress on the Danube by the Celts in the 3rd century BC and was later rebuilt by the Romans and Byzantines. In the 13th century, Serbs from their mountain strongholds captured it and transformed it into a Serbian-Slavic city. Prince Stefan Lazarević briefly made Belgrade his capital in the early 15th century, but it was later transferred to the Hungarians due to fears of an impending Ottoman invasion. Subsequently, Belgrade became the focal point of Hungarian resistance against the advancing Ottomans. The city withstood Ottoman sieges for nearly a century, even as the rest of the Balkans fell under Ottoman control, proving to be a formidable barrier to their military campaigns. However, in 1521, Belgrade fell to the Ottomans and was transformed into a vital Ottoman fortress, playing a crucial role in defending against Austrian advances and securing the strategic Danube waterway.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the city was divided in two. The old part, connected to the fortress, was under the control of an Ottoman garrison that received supplies via the river, while the new and upper part was Serbian and became the Serbian capital in 1846. This situation remained until the complete withdrawal of the Turks in 1867. Thus, by the end of the 19th century, Belgrade became the capital of the new state of Serbia and later the capital of Yugoslavia.

Monumental government and commercial buildings, as well as churches, were constructed during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a beautiful and large city (home to two and a half million people) with a lively nightlife, museums, spacious streets, and historical sites. It is also an important hub for maritime transport.

Belgrade’s uniqueness lies in its location at the confluence of two great rivers, the Sava and the Danube, which are navigable for thousands of kilometers. It boasts a large port and industrial zones. The Danube has always served as a gateway to Europe. One can sail from the Black Sea to Vienna and beyond, effectively linking Central Europe with the Black Sea and, from there, the Mediterranean. Belgrade is one of four capital cities along the Danube and the largest among them, serving as a major transportation hub by river, air, and land.