Introduction
In the largest capital city of Serbia, Belgrade, there is the Kalemegdan Fortress, which is of great importance to the citizens of Belgrade. This fortress holds the secrets of many battles that took place on this soil. Therefore, it is very important for this Balkan country, because they still managed to keep it for themselves.
The Kalemegdan Fortress is also responsible for the name of the city of Belgrade. Namely, the limestone rock from which the fortress was built had a strong white color (“bela boja” in the Serbian language), thus giving the city its name, Belgrade (in Serbian, “Beli grad – Beograd”).
Kalemegdan Fortress: The strongest military stronghold
Throughout history, Kalemegdan was in the possession of many ethnic tribes and great empires, but in the end, it remained in the possession of the Republic of Serbia. Great battles raged inside the walls, rulers changed, and the fortress endured through the First World War.
Kalemegdan Fortress is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This position gave the fortress a strategically advantageous position from where it was possible to have control over the plain. Many archaeological sites and research indicate that inhabitants occupied Kalemegdan as early as the Neolithic period.
Singidunum
The confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, in the 3rd century BC, led the Indo-European people Celts, and Illyrian tribes to inhabit this part of Europe and the Balkans. The union of two different ethnic peoples originally named Belgrade as Singidunum, which means “city” in translation.
Later, the Romans captured this fortress where they established the first Roman military camp. When the period of the Great Migration came, numerous peoples such as Huns, Goths, and Sarmatians occupied the fortress. When Byzantium conquered Kalemegdan, they showed their great interest in it by making great efforts to restore it. Builders constructed several towers and ramparts.
“I found the most beautiful place since ancient times, the oversized city of Belgrade”, Despot Stefan Lazarevic, a medieval Serbian ruler
For the first time, Belgrade and Kalemegdan were conquered through diplomatic means by handing over Belgrade to the Serbian prince for management, after which this city gained cultural and economic growth. The Serbian state successfully defended Belgrade against Turkish attacks on several occasions, but Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent managed to capture the city.
After major battles that lasted almost two centuries with breaks, Belgrade and the Kalemegdan fortress fell into the hands of the then Principality of Serbia. Since then, until today, the fortress has lost its importance as a military stronghold and the reconstruction of the fortress begins!
Kalemegdan Park: An oasis in the heart of the city
On our Balkan trips, we take you through the different natural landscapes of the Balkans. Grassy areas, forest areas, flower gardens, and many other green areas that give you a sense of freedom await you at Kalemegdan Fortress!
During the renovation and modernization of the fortress, workers erected many monuments while also preserving historical attractions. The 18th-century Roman well spans 60 meters in depth, extending as far as 10 meters below the Sava River. Besides its historical significance, this well also harbors a special type of crab that cannot be found anywhere else in Serbia!
We have become accustomed to the plethora of historical rumors and stories that the Balkan countries harbor, with one particularly intriguing tale situated within the Kalemegdan fortress. Builders constructed several smaller towers on the property of Kalemegdan, with one of them believed to have walls filled with gold, supposedly built by the Turks during construction!
Sculpture “The Winner”
The biggest symbol of Belgrade and the Kalemegdan fortress itself is the sculpture “Pobednik”. The sculpture looks directly at the confluence of the Sava River and the Danube and is placed at the very top of Kalemegdan.
On the occasion of the centenary of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which took place in 1913, The erection of The Winner has given a completely new dimension to all of Belgrade, where many events and manifestations take place. Tourists like to take photos next to the sculpture because it has a beautiful panoramic view of the whole city!
Kalemegdan Zoo: A charming corner of the wild
When you have visited all the greenery and monuments located at Kalemegdan Fortress, it is time to visit the Zoo located on Kalemegdan itself. Animals such as lions, tigers, elephants, various birds, and many others have inhabited this place for almost 100 years.
Tourists who visit the sights of Kalemegdan rarely miss this Zoo, which is not only a place for observing animals. Namely, a center for education and raising awareness about the importance of protecting wild animals was opened here. By coming to the Belgrade Zoo, you will learn more about the biology, ecology, and behavior of animals.
Conclusion
The symbol of Belgrade’s strength, Kalemegdan Fortress, through its walls, bears witness to the resilience of the Serbian people throughout a long and arduous history. In contrast to the bustling, modern, and dynamic life at the center of Belgrade, Kalemegdan represents a place where time stands still!
Take a stroll through the greenery of Kalemegdan, walk along the ancient walls that guard many secrets, and feel the stories of the past preserved within the formidable fortress of Kalemegdan! Embark on a Balkan trip and broaden your tourist horizons!
Hi, I’m Mike—co-founder of Balkland and your on-the-ground tour leader. I’m involved from the first message to the final farewell, making sure everything feels effortless and every day feels designed around you.