The Most Beautiful Fortresses in Serbia That Should Be Visited.

Rich history of our country has provided it with some of the greatest tourist attractions of today. Magnificent fortresses in Serbia that have survived centuries marked by wars and destruction attract the attention of both domestic and foreign tourists.

Fascinating fortifications have been built on the territory of our country since ancient times, and besides being important historical monuments, fortresses in Serbia take your breath away with their beauty. Many of them can be compared to locations seen in the best world movies and series.

If you want to experience the atmosphere of medieval cities, you don't need a passport. It's up to you to take the time to explore your own country, and we present to you the most beautiful fortresses in Serbia that you should definitely visit.

Belgrade Fortress - Kalemegdan

We cannot start this list without highlighting the symbol of the capital as well as the whole of Serbia. Kalemegdan Fortress is the first stop for all tourists visiting Belgrade and a trademark on postcards, magnets, and other souvenirs of our country.

Kalemegdan in Belgrade is the largest and most beautiful park in this city, which is of great historical significance thanks to the fortress overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Kalemegdan Fortress got its name by combining the Turkish words kale (city, or fortress) and megdan (field), so its name already speaks of a fortification that was once the main military stronghold of Belgrade.

The fortress was built at the beginning of the 1st century as a palisade with earthen ramparts, and over the centuries, it developed and changed its function. Belgrade Fortress was once a Roman castrum, Byzantine castellum, medieval fortified capital of the Serbian Despotate, and finally an Austro-Ottoman artillery fortress.

After Kalemegdan Fortress was handed over to the Serbs in 1867, its transformation into a park began. Today, it is also home to the Military Museum, Belgrade Zoo, Art Pavilion "Cvijeta Zuzorić," Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, as well as a large number of sports fields and hospitality facilities, along with a children's amusement park.

Thanks to the view that Kalemegdan Fortress offers to visitors, Belgrade can boast one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Europe. The view of Veliko Ratno Ostrvo (Great War Island) and the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers is featured in numerous tourist photos, and it is particularly loved by the people of Belgrade.

Petrovaradin Fortress - symbol of Novi Sad

Just as Kalemegdan is to Belgrade, Petrovaradin is to Novi Sad. With a fantastic view of the Danube River, Petrovaradin Fortress represents one of the most beautiful locations in Vojvodina, which is extremely popular throughout the year, especially during the warmer months.

Military fortifications existed at the site where Petrovaradin Fortress stands today, so its history is believed to span over 200,000 years. The current fortress was built by the Austrians between 1692 and 1780 due to its proximity to the Ottoman Empire border and the threat from the Turks.

The name Petrovaradin Fortress is a combination of three words - "petra" (meaning rock in Latin), "var" (Hungarian word for city), and "din" (Turkish word for faith), so the name translates to "City on a rock firm as faith." Many also call it the "Gibraltar on the Danube."

In the mid-20th century, this fortress was declared a historical monument. It was demilitarized, made available for civilian use, and placed under state protection. The most recognizable feature of Petrovaradin is the Clock Tower, which is unique in that the large hand indicates the hours, while the small hand indicates the minutes.

In addition to the stunning view, Petrovaradin Fortress offers a multitude of attractions for visitors. It houses the Museum and Archives of Novi Sad, an astronomical observatory, a planetarium, an art academy, galleries and studios of visual artists, as well as hotels and restaurants. For 19 years, Petrovaradin Fortress has also been synonymous with the most popular music festival in Europe - EXIT.

Smederevo Fortress - seat of the Serbian Despotate

There is no doubt that Smederevo Fortress, apart from being attractive, is also the biggest tourist and historical landmark of Smederevo, considering that it was built as the administrative, military, religious, cultural, and economic center of the Serbian Despotate.

The fortress at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube rivers was built by Despot Đurađ Branković, the nephew of Despot Stefan Lazarević. Smederevo Fortress covers an area of 11 hectares and consists of the Small and Large Town.

The Small Town houses the court of Despot Đurđe, which is classified as a water fortress despite not having foundations in the water, as it is surrounded by water on all sides. There is also a stone-built well and a donjon tower here, and it is separated from the Large Town by a moat.

The Large Town has 19 towers, with walls that are poorly preserved due to several instances of destruction and reconstruction. There used to be a metropolitan complex here, which included buildings for the population.

With all the charms offered by the fortress of Smederevo, it provides a complete experience of a medieval city for its citizens and visitors. Significant experience, knowledge, and skill of both domestic and Byzantine masters were required for its construction, making the Smederevo Fortress considered the highest achievement of medieval Serbian military architecture.

Golubac Fortress - the greatest attraction of the Danube

When it comes to the most beautiful fortresses in Serbia, Golubac Fortress is considered by many to be in first place. The Golubac Fortress is located on the right bank of the Danube, at the entrance to the Đerdap National Park. It is a monument of exceptional cultural significance, known for its turbulent history, and is now the most popular tourist attraction on the Danube.

Golubac was built on the remains of the former Roman Empire, and its extremely favorable strategic position led to the utilization of old fortifications and the construction of new ones. Golubac Fortress is first mentioned in historical sources in 1335.

It is not known exactly when Golubac Fortress was built or who its builders were, but some experts estimate that it embodies the spirit of Serbian fortifications from the 13th and 14th centuries, suggesting that it was built during the reign of King Dragutin.

High cliffs protect Golubac Fortress from the south and east, while the Danube protects it from the north, leaving only the western side accessible. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Golubac Fortress became a site of conflicts between Serbia, Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, and an important border town.

After the restoration of the fortress, completed in early 2019, visitors have access to 4 zones inside the fortress (with varying levels of accessibility) and guided tours in 3 languages: Serbian, English, and Romanian. Visitors can also explore the Archaeological Park, which includes a Turkish bath, a Roman house, and a bird-watching corner. There is no doubt that Golubac Fortress is a must-visit for every resident of Serbia and its guests.

Maglič Fortress - a treasure of the Ibar Valley

Just 20 kilometers from Kraljevo, Maglič Fortress is located, which has survived despite the wars that befell it, as well as uprisings and rebellions. It can be said that the fortress has survived thanks to its inaccessibility, and even today, it looks unattainable when viewed from above. However, it is much easier to reach it nowadays, and it boasts a large number of visitors.

Historians have not agreed on who built this fortress. Some believe it was Danilo II, who was known as a writer, archbishop, nobleman, army commander, and a figure who managed to defend Hilandar. Others argue that Maglič Fortress was built thanks to Stefan Prvovenčani, while some facts indicate that it was done by Stefan Uroš I.

In addition to the mysterious origins of Maglič, many legends are also associated with the Ibar Valley, as well as the origin of its lilacs. Nevertheless, it is an extremely attractive part of Serbia, and a visit to Maglič is usually part of a spiritual journey through Serbia. When visiting this famous fortress in Serbia, significant monasteries are usually also visited.

Niš Fortress - the best-preserved fortress in the Balkans

In the very center of the city of Niš, on the banks of the Nišava River, is the fortress considered the oldest and most valuable monument of this city. Niš Fortress was built on the remains of ancient and medieval fortifications when on 19th February 1719, by a decree of the sultan, it was decided to build a strong fortress at this location.

The length of the fortress walls is 2100 meters. The massive walls are well preserved, as well as certain gates - the western Beograd Gate and the southern Stambol Gate. According to many, Niš Fortress is the best-preserved fortress of this type, not only in Serbia but also in the Balkans. This is precisely why it is classified as one of the most important fortresses in Serbia.

When it comes to festivities organized by the city of Niš, the fortress is usually the location for holding these events. The summer stage is located here, and various concerts and cultural events are held within the fortress walls, including Nišville and Film Encounters.

Ram Fortress

About 28 kilometers northeast of Požarevac, right on the bank of the Danube, in the small village of Ram, is the Ram Fortress. Built at the end of the 15th century by the Turks, it represented an important strategic point between two significant fortresses on the Danube - Smederevo Fortress and Golubac Fortress.

For centuries, Ram Fortress unsuccessfully resisted the ravages of time and weather conditions. The first and only reconstruction of the fortress was carried out just a few years ago, and in March 2020, it was officially opened for tourist visits, representing a new and highly attractive destination in this part of Serbia.

The fortress from which the Danube looks as impenetrable as the Amazon is a true refreshment in the tourist offer of the Serbian Danube region and Eastern Serbia in general.

Serbian fortresses, together with the fascinating nature, are perhaps its greatest tourist treasure. Today, after numerous restorations, these objects are very accessible and adapted to tourists, so if you spend your free days visiting them, you will certainly not regret it!