History of Belgrade

During its long history Belgrade had glorious and important moments, had different names, survived many forces and was the capital of many states and saw many significant and cruel, but also wise and humane leaders and statesmen.
Official history of Belgrade last over 7000 years, which makes this city one of the oldest in Europe.

Ancient history


In the fourth century BC Celtic tribe Scordisci founded city-fortress and name it Singidunum. This is the first and the oldest name of Belgrade. From 33 BC, to the sixth century AD, Belgrade was under Roman rule and developed from a small Celtic fortification to a big Roman city with significant importance, having a forum, Jupiter temple, Roman baths, and have same appearance as other big Roman cities. In year 395 Roman Empire divided into Western Roman Empire, with Rome as its capital, and Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) with Constantinople as a capitol. Singidunum became part of the Byzantine Empire, and become important strategic point of the Byzantine Empire.
 


Middle ages


Slavs came at this area at VI century and gave to city new name - Beo Grad (White city). From XIX to the first half of the XV century Belgrade was ruled by Bulgarians, Byzantines, Hungarians, until  1521 when the great Turkish sultan Sulejman conquered and burned city. Turks turned this predominant Christian city into place with oriental characteristics with mosques, fountains, turbes, Turkish baths, and bezistans (retail markets). From 1717 to 1737 Belgrade was under Austro-Hungarian rule, to be returned shortly to the Turks. The city fell from under one to other rule until 180,7 when was liberated by Serbian hajduks (rebels). The Ottomans returned several times into the city, whose finally gained its freedom at Aprli 6, 1967.
1882 Serbia becomes a kingdom with Mihailo Obrenovic as a king and  Belgrade become kingdom's capital, with telephone lines, train station, water supply system and sewerage network, electric street lights, trolley cars and many new buildings.

First and second World Wars


But Belgrade doesn’t enjoyed peace for long. In 1914 mighty Empire attacks Serbia, they attack Belgrade in the first days of war, bombards and completely destroys the city. From 1915 to 1918 the city was under occupation of Austro-Hungarians and Germans. After Central powers collapsed, Belgrade was liberated by the Serbian army, and from 1918 to 1941 was a capitol city of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, latter Kingdom of Yugoslavia. In 1941 Belgrade again was bombarded and destroyed by Nazi Germany aviation.



Modern era


After liberation in 1945, Belgrade experienced fast industrial and cultural progress, and became the center of international political, economic, cultural and sporting events, experiencing a comprehensive boom in building and architecture. The last bombings were in 1999 when Nato allies attack Serbia.


Sights and sounds


Today Belgrade is a true European metropolis with lots of hotels, restaurants, tavernas, important institutions, cultural and sports events, in Belgrade comes a lot of tourists and visitors who are delighted with city sights and sounds. All these past years and centuries and all of these events that have occurred through the rich history, put marks on his “face“, on architecture, the buildings, but also in Belgrade’s residents.


Dorćol – historical hart of Belgrade


The most obvious these marks can be seen in his historical center, called Dorćol. Dorćol stands out as the first urban nucleus around which was developed today's city. It is the oldest part of the city, and in the same time the most vital and cosmopolitan part, crowded with historical landmarks and unique atmosphere with architecture which show the spirit of the old times and generations
 in the immediate vicinity is Kalemegdan fortress who has seen so many wars, destruction and renewals, Belgrade zoo, Bajloni market, Skadarlia –the famous bohemian street, Nebojsa tower, Knez Mihajlova street - the main pedestrian and shoping streets, Street of Strahinjica Bana – famous for good tavernas and bars and many museums, old and beautiful houses, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Dorćol attracted and still attracts people, travelers and traders from different parts of the world to came, to see, to work, to invest and to make here their home. Despite the current economic situation good spirit of Dorćol not allow to stop.


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