If you're traveling to the Balkans, then you must stop by Serbia; there are no "if," "and's," or "but's." When people think of Serbia, most people remember the Yugoslav wars, Miloševic, and the genocides that took place in Kosovo and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Nonetheless, there is more that meets the eyes in this ex Yugoslav republic, whether it's the delightful, yet heavy Balkan cuisine or its medieval history. Serbia is host to some of the most beautiful, medieval fortresses in Europe, such as the Kalmegdon in Belgrade, or the Niš Fortress in Niš. There are also quite a lot of amazing, Orthodox churches to visit as well.
First things first, let's take a look at Niš. If you're traveling from Macedonia, then I suggest stopping by Niš on your way to Belgrade. One such site that you should visit is the Skull tower. Originally built by the Turks, the Skull tower, or Çele Kulla, is a small stone tower including an interior lined with dozens of skulls taken from fallen Serbian rebels. The Ottomans built the tower as a deterrent for anyone who might havewanted to rebel against Ottoman rule. Today, many Serbs come to this site to pay their respect to their fallen kinsmen as it commemorates the defeat at the Battle of Çegar, which took place in 1809 (Tourism Organization of Nis, 2018). Another important monument to visit is the Niš fortress, which is located in the city's center. Niš's fortress dates back as far as the Roman times (Serbia.com, 2016). If you're on a tight budget, then you are in luck as entry inside the castle walls is free of charge. On a nice sunny day, you can stroll around the park-like interior. Unfortunately, I was in Niš on a cloudy day, so I didn't have that luxury. Lastly, I suggest that you visit the Logar-Niš concentration camp. Logar-Niš is a remnant of Nazi Germany's devastating impact on Europe. Within the camps gates, thousands of Jews, Serbs, Roma, and homosexuals were executed. Although not a pretty part of history, regardless, it is still an important site to see. As the saying goes, "If you don't know your history, you're destined to repeat it."
Next on our destination list is, you guessed it, Belgrade, which is Serbia's capital. Belgrade has many amazing places to see: the Kalmegdon Fortress, the Nikola Tesla Museum, the Museum of Yugoslavia, the Orthodox Church of Saint Sava, and the remnants of the former Yugoslavian Defense Ministry are among the few to name. One of Belgrade's most popular sites is the legendary Kalmegdan fortress, where you can get a view of both the Sava and Danube rivers. The Kalmegdan is a medieval citadel built in the 2nd century, gaining its name from the two Turkish words "kale" and "megdan" meaning"city fortress" (Serbia.com 2016). Like the Niš fortress, you can find a huge park within the castle walls. The park has several monuments spread about. If you want to get your daily walk-in, then I suggest you check this place out.
Another great site to check out is the Church of Saint Sava, which isn't located too far from the Kalmegdan. The Church of Saint Sava carries great religious significance for the Serbian people as it symbolizes "freedom and faith" (Serbia.com 2016). I would say that it is definitely by far one of the most important historical and religious sites in all of Serbia. Not only is the exterior magnificent, but so is the interior where you can find incredibly intricate Byzantine frescoes detailing the stories of both the Bible and the Serbian patron saints.
Lastly, I would like to mention the NATO bombing site of the former Yugoslavian Defense Ministry is a popular tourist destination that is pertinent to more recent events. Like the touristic sites mentioned above, these destroyed remains can be found close to Belgrade's center. These buildings were targeted in a series of NATO strikes against the Miloševic regime and has been kept as a reminder of national struggle. Although not a particularly happy part of Serbian history, I strongly urge those of you traveling to Serbia to visit this place as it is relative to current events. It was only twenty years ago that the tragic events known as the "Balkan Wars" took place.
Unfortunately on my trip, I was unable to visit Novi Sad which is supposed to be a fantastic city to see due to its importance in Medieval Serbian history. For those of you thinking of traveling to Serbia, I cannot stress enough how beautiful and amazing this country is and how friendly its people are. Those of you who only associate Serbia to the events of the Yugoslav wars, I implore you to open your mind and book your flight to see this amazing, wonderful place.
References
1. “The Skull Tower.” Turistička Organizacija Niš, 26 Nov. 2018, visitnis.com/en/the-skull-tower/.
2.“Niš Fortress to Become a World-Known Attraction.” Serbia.com, 21 Jan. 2016, www.serbia.com/nis-fortress-to-become-a-world-known-attraction/.
3. “Belgrade Fortress: Follow the Paths of History.” Serbia.com, 2016, www.serbia.com/visit-serbia/cultural-attractions/palaces-and-fortresses/belgrade-fortress-follow-the-paths-of-history/.
4. “The Church of Saint Sava, the Orthodox Heart of Belgrade.” Serbia.com, 15 Apr. 2016, www.serbia.com/church-saint-sava-orthodox-heart-belgrade/.
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