Why I love Belgrade Fortress Kalemegdan
Kalemegdan Fortress stands above the confluence of the Sava & Danube rivers in Belgrade, overlooking the Great War Island. Seen from below, it’s an impressive sight with “The Victor” monument, a dove of peace in one hand, a sword in the other, standing proud and looking out across the city. Walk through the lower town area and you will come to the Ružica Church, a beautiful building dating back to the 14th century but having been heavily renovated throughout its lifetime, most recently after damage received during WWI.
If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill from the river, you can also enter Kalemegdan from Knez Mihailova. Entering from this direction you walk through the beautiful park area and past ‘The Struggle’ fountain, to stand overlooking the river. Stop for a while to watch the seriousness of the chess, or maybe risk having some fun by making a fool of yourself & joining in the dancing, the choice is yours.
As the evening draws closer, Kalemegdan is one of the most beautiful places imaginable to watch the sun go down. It matters little where you choose your spot, you could almost convince yourself Kalemegdan was designed not as a fortress so much as an observatory for the sun. Everywhere you walk pays homage to its warmth and life. From the clock tower as the sun breaks through the clouds, to the Natural History Museum where long shadows gently flicker and dance against the wall. Each has its own personality and equal beauty.
I love water, I love the rivers, my personal choice is to sit and watch the sun go down from above the river. The Belgrade skyline is as beautiful as any in the world, the gentle glistening of the river below as it shimmers in the setting sun just seems like its perfect complement. You think the night is over? Look down a little further and you’ll see lights starting to come on as the clubs and bars begin to come to life. Find yourself a taxi and head over. The evening awaits!
Comments
By Mima on January 28th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Splendid!
By ian furniss on January 29th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Thank you Mima
By Kalemegdan on February 22nd, 2010 at 8:36 am
“The Victor” monument was build after First World War, when Serbia lost 30% of people (60% of man) in war with Austria. Originally, statue was dedicated to the victory of Serbian army in The First Balkan War (1912) and the liberation of the southern provinces from 5 hundred years long Turk occupation.
Two years later, started First Warld War and “The Victor” is not finished. The statue of a bare man represents the rennaissance of Serbia that came with the end of the conservative Turk and Austrian rule. In the left hand of the statue is a gray hawk which observes the world and watches out that the evil occupation forces do not revive, and in the right hand is the sword as monition. On purpose or not, the man looks toward Vienna.