Belgrade

Belgrade is the town at the junction of the rivers Sava & Danube 7000 years old.  The Sava coming from the west, and the Danube arriving from the north, join their waters to proceed eastwards. The fortress, built on the high ground is overlooking the confluence of these two rivers. It was laid in ruins some sixty times but always arose from its cinders. For centuries it was a frontier fortress, the apple of contend between rivalling invaders, Romans, Goths, Avars, Huns, Byzantians, Crusaders, Hungarians, Turks and others. Its oldest recorded name was Singidunum.

In the 9th century A.D documents call it ” Alba Graeca ” – ” White City “ which is precisely what Belgrade means in Serbian. The Belgrade Fortress has a splendid view over New Belgrade, Zemun and Panonian Plain.

It is skirted by the old Serbian quarter of  Belgrade Kosančić Crescent with its cobbled road and painters studies and many elegant old houses worth visiting. They include the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral built in 1837 ( dedicated to Archangel Michael ) and Patriarchate ( the Church’ s seat of power ) Nearby is Princess Ljubica’ s House, the most typical building from 19 century, then Belgrade’ s oldest cafe known simply as” ? ” ( question mark ) built in the rare Balkan style. From there the city fans out in all directions: the pedestrian precinct of Prince Mihailo street, central Republic Square dominated by a massive statue of Princ Mihailo on horseback, the National Museum and National Theatre on the same square with many popular cafes and restaurants around.

From Prince Mihailova Street where the atmosphere of the old times is combined with the glamour of modern shops, straight line leads into Terazije square the very center of the town dominated by hotel Moskva, a fine example of Belle Epoque architecture and Terazije Fountain, and then follows the old Palace, now home of the City Assembly, and the New Palace, now the office of the President of Serbia. Nearby is the monument of the Nobel Prize winner – Ivo Andrić. The street ends in Vračar Square with the small St Sava and Temple  St Sava one of the biggest ortodox temples.  

In the evening depending on your own bent for music:

a) each Friday evening you can enjoy the music of well known Belgrade philharmonic orchestra and concerts master pieces in diferent thematic cycles: Classic, Popular or Vocal. After concert light dinner in one of the exclusive restaurants.

Or if you prefer:

b) jazz music you will spend marvelous evening in art cafe or jazz clubs, where everybody can find the music for himself. The extremly rich music program includes funk, soul, jazz, blues, latino and ethno music .

c) To go crazy – open the door and enter the world of crazy and singing nights. If you have not booked table on time you can hardly find it in late hours in the night. Clubs offer: folk, pop and rock music for young people who are here until dawn.

Early morning return to the hotel.

After good sleep, free day to wander through the town, do some shopping in modern shops or have one of the sightseeing tours. Lunch in one of the restaurants with great choise of cuisines. In the evening possibility for another, different sleepless night.
Maybe you would like now a dinner in one of the floating restaurants with candles, musicians playing just for you or dinner in traditional restaurant with folklore show and spirit of the old times in bohemian area Skadarlia.
 

Skadarlija – The pedestrian street has preserved the authentic buildings of the past times together with the spirit of the days when it was the center of bohemian culture.

It is well known for its crowded and lively cafes and restaurants which specialise in live music and traditional cuisine.

This part of old town is favourite meeting place in summer with an open arena for theatre, exhibitions and other events.

With hundreds of small and big clubs, restaurants and floating cafes, but first of all with joyful people enjoying music and life, Belgrade is Singing City.