Belgrade history

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history spanning over two millennia. Situated at the picturesque confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, it has served as a vital strategic and cultural crossroads for centuries. Its current name, which translates literally as "White City," was not chosen by chance. According to one theory, the Slavic tribes who arrived in these lands were impressed by the sight of the fortress walls built from white limestone, and thus named the settlement.

The history of the city is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures. The first settlement on this site was founded by the Celts and was named Singidunum. Later, the city became part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, and was part of Austria-Hungary, all of which left a deep imprint on its architecture, culture, and traditions. The Slavic name "Belgrade" is first mentioned in sources from the 9th century. This centuries-old and turbulent history has shaped the unique appearance of modern Belgrade, where medieval fortresses stand alongside exquisite 19th-century buildings and monumental 20th-century developments.

Today, Belgrade is a dynamic and hospitable city that proudly preserves its rich past while confidently looking towards the future. It attracts travelers with its energy, numerous historical monuments, vibrant cultural life, and a unique atmosphere where the heritage of the East and West is harmoniously interwoven. Every street and every stone here has an amazing story to tell.

Key Milestones in the History of Belgrade

The history of Belgrade is a rich chronicle of events covering millennia. Standing at the confluence of the Sava and Danube, the city has been destroyed and risen from the ashes many times, changing hands and absorbing the culture of different peoples. Here is a brief overview of the most important dates in its destiny.

• 3rd century BC — The Celtic tribe of the Scordisci founds the fortified settlement of Singidunum on the site of modern Belgrade.
• 86 AD — Singidunum becomes a Roman military camp (castrum) and an important outpost on the border of the Roman Empire.
• 878 — The city is mentioned for the first time in written sources under the Slavic name "Belgrade" in a letter from the Pope to the Bulgarian prince.
• 1403 — Belgrade becomes the capital of the Serbian state for the first time under Despot Stefan Lazarević, experiencing a period of cultural and economic flourishing.
• 1521 — The city is conquered by the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, marking the beginning of centuries of Turkish rule.
• 1717 — Austrian troops under the command of Eugene of Savoy recapture Belgrade, and the city temporarily passes under Habsburg rule, acquiring European features.
• 1806 — During the First Serbian Uprising, rebels led by Karađorđe liberate Belgrade from Ottoman control.
• 1841 — Belgrade is officially proclaimed the capital of the Principality of Serbia, finally establishing its status as the political center of the country.
• 1867 — The last Turkish garrison leaves the Belgrade Fortress, and the city passes completely under Serbian administration.
• 1918 — After the end of World War I, Belgrade becomes the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia.
• 1944 — On October 20, the city is liberated from German occupation by the joint forces of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the Red Army.
• 2006 — Following the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Belgrade becomes the capital of the independent Republic of Serbia.

Stages of Belgrade's Development: From Fortress to Metropolis

Belgrade has undergone a long journey of transformation, evolving from a border fortress into a major European center. Each historical period has left its mark on its economy, culture, and urban appearance.

• Medieval Flourishing (15th century). In 1403, under Despot Stefan Lazarević, Belgrade became the capital of the Serbian state for the first time. This period was marked by rapid growth: the city turned into an important economic, cultural, and religious center with powerful fortifications, attracting merchants and craftsmen.
• Ottoman Influence (16th-19th centuries). After the conquest in 1521, the city acquired the features of an oriental metropolis. Crafts and trade developed, and a new urban structure formed with caravanserais, mosques, and markets, radically changing its architectural appearance and economic life.
• "Europeanization" in the 19th century. After gaining the status of the capital of the autonomous, and later independent, Principality of Serbia, Belgrade began to be actively rebuilt along European lines. Old Turkish quarters disappeared, new streets were laid out, and iconic buildings in Classicist and Art Nouveau styles were constructed. The National Museum, theater, and printing house opened, turning the city into the cultural core of the nation.
• Capital of Yugoslavia (1918-2003). This status gave a powerful impetus to growth. The most massive project was the construction of New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) on the left bank of the Sava, which began in 1948. A modern district with wide avenues and buildings in the style of Modernism and Brutalism was erected on the site of marshes, conceived as the new administrative and business center of the country.
• Modern Business and Cultural Hub (21st century). Today, Belgrade is asserting itself as a major regional center. Large-scale urban development projects are being implemented, such as "Belgrade Waterfront," which transforms former industrial zones into modern residential and business districts. The city is becoming a center for the IT industry, the creative economy, and a popular tourist destination known for its dynamic cultural life.

Architectural Mosaic: From Fortress Walls to Brutalism

The architectural appearance of Belgrade cannot be described in a single word. Due to its turbulent past, the city represents an eclectic collage where Ottoman heritage neighbors Austrian Baroque, and luxurious Art Nouveau facades are reflected in the glass of modern skyscrapers. A walk through the streets of the capital of Serbia is a true journey through time, allowing one to trace the urban development of the region.

The main architectural layers of the city can be divided into several key eras, each of which has left its iconic monuments:

• Antiquity and Middle Ages (Belgrade Fortress). The core of the city, Kalemegdan, preserves traces of a Roman castrum, Byzantine walls, and medieval Serbian fortifications. It is a living textbook of fortification architecture, where stones from different millennia are woven together.
• Ottoman and Balkan Heritage (18th–19th centuries). Although many structures from that time have not survived, the spirit of the era is conveyed by buildings such as Princess Ljubica's Residence (Konak) and the "Question Mark" Kafana. This style is characterized by wooden structures, projecting upper floors (oriels), and tiled roofs, creating the cozy atmosphere of an old town.
• Academicism and Classicism (late 19th – early 20th century). After gaining independence, Belgrade strove to look like a European capital. The city center, especially Knez Mihailova Street, was built up with majestic buildings featuring columns and rich decor. Striking examples are the National Museum and the National Assembly (Parliament) building, embodying monumentality and solemnity.
• Secession (Art Nouveau). In the early 20th century, the Art Nouveau style came into fashion. Its jewel is considered to be the famous Hotel Moskva, with its recognizable facade of green ceramics, which has become one of the symbols of the city.
• Serbian-Byzantine Style. A unique direction reviving the national traditions of medieval architecture in a modern execution. The main dominant feature of the city — the grandiose Temple of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox temples in the world, as well as St. Mark's Church, are standards of this style.
• Modernism and Brutalism (second half of the 20th century). The era of socialist Yugoslavia gifted the city the district of New Belgrade. This is a realm of concrete, wide avenues, and functional architecture. Iconic structures, such as the Genex Tower (Western City Gate) and the Palace of Serbia, attract Brutalism enthusiasts from all over the world with their austere aesthetics and scale.

Today, Belgrade continues to change. The "Belgrade Waterfront" project introduces futuristic skyscrapers of glass and steel into the city's panorama, creating a new contrast with the historical buildings and confirming the city's status as a place where history meets the future.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Belgrade

Belgrade has given the world and Serbian culture many talented and influential people. Scientists, writers, rulers, and athletes born in or closely connected with this city have left an indelible mark on history.

• Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) — A brilliant inventor and engineer in the fields of electrical and radio engineering. Although Tesla was not born in Belgrade, he is a national hero of Serbia. The Nikola Tesla Museum is located in the capital, housing his personal archive and ashes, and the city's main international airport bears his name.
• Ivo Andrić (1892–1975) — A distinguished Yugoslav writer and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. He spent most of his life in Belgrade, where his memorial museum is open today, preserving the authentic atmosphere of the writer's apartment. His works, permeated with the history of the Balkans, have become a treasure of world literature.
• Novak Djokovic (born 1987) — One of the greatest tennis players in history, born in Belgrade. A multiple Grand Slam winner and former world number one, he has brought fame to his hometown and country on the international sports arena.
• Vuk Stefanović Karadžić (1787–1864) — A philologist, reformer of the Serbian literary language, and creator of the modern Serbian alphabet based on Cyrillic. His work laid the foundations of modern Serbian culture. The remains of this great enlightener rest in Belgrade, at the Cathedral Church.
• Prince Mihailo Obrenović III (1823–1868) — A Serbian prince during whose reign Belgrade finally became the capital of Serbia. He played a key role in the modernization of the city and achieved the withdrawal of Turkish garrisons from Serbian fortresses, strengthening the country's independence. The main pedestrian street of the city, Knez Mihailova, is named in his honor.
• Milorad Pavić (1929–2009) — A world-renowned writer, a representative of postmodernism and magical realism, who was born and lived in Belgrade. His novel "Dictionary of the Khazars" brought him international acclaim and has been translated into many languages. Pavić is also the author of the unique book "A Short History of Belgrade".