Many cities are just not that attractive. Like people, not everyone and every place can wow us with a dazzling smile and flip of the hair. Belgrade isn’t a knockout when it comes to beauty. An uncanny mixing of grand buildings with Soviet stark structures might be the reason Belgrade is not the fairest of them all. Regardless the capital of Serbia knows just who it is, leaving it all out in the open and never hiding from its blemishes. The area that is Belgrade converged with several civilizations over the years. It was conquered and rebuilt by the Celts, Romans, Slavs, Turks, and Austro-Hungarians. A battleground and confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, made and continues to make for an interesting location in the world.
The Kalemegdan Fortress surrounds in elm trees and a park, constructed with the intent to protect the city. The old fortress houses museums, galleries, memorials, a planetarium and yes, even a zoo. One museum within, the Military Museum, displays the military history of the former Yugoslavia. Outside the structure, bombs, guns, tanks, and missiles are on display, reminders of the area’s defensive past. Others prefer to get scientific at the Nikola Tesla Museum where the famous scientist’s legacy to electrical engineering is represented. The Serbian native discovered alternating current. It is no wonder the museum features demonstrations of his inventions to showcase his importance and accomplishments.
If you don’t take note of a few of these structures in Serbia, you may have missed the point of visiting. The Palace of Princess Ljubice may not be ancient, but it is certainly ornate and modern. Built for the wife of Prince Milo in 1831, this woman had all the necessities. From a yoga and Pilates room to a Turkish bath filled with massages zones, the Palace is truly unique. It also notes the time, dressed in period furnishings, paintings, and carpets. The structures of Serbia’s capital continue with St. Sava. It remains the world’s oldest Orthodox church. If a little showy structure is more your thing, head to the National Theater. Within, the city’s major opera, ballet, theater, and orchestra performances fill the air.
While some find it hard to linger in Belgrade, others couldn’t disagree more. You will find most locals and tourists congregate in Trg Republike. Also known as Republic Square, the site offers a popular meeting point in town. Cafes and buildings allow for places to park and wait for those meetings. For a bit more edge and bohemia, the Skadarlija quarter of Belgrade is the only answer. Here, classic kafanas, or taverns, lie open and exposed with Serbian cuisine. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, the feeling in Skadarlija engulfs in artistic vibes with energetic tendencies.
This sleepy former Soviet capital has a party side you wouldn’t expect. The nightlife in Belgrade booms with apartment bars, bars on the river, and underground clubs. If there is one thing locals and visitors can find common ground on it would be partying well into the morning. Belgrade loves a good bash. If clubs and bars are your worst nightmare, Belgrade doesn’t neglect the introverts and wallflowers. Knez Mihailova strings with restaurants, bookshops, stores, and galleries for the slow travel seekers.
With concerts, performances, museums, and nightlife, on the surface, Belgrade sounds perfect. It may not be the prettiest city of them all, but you don’t have to have a long-term relationship with Belgrade. A visit is plenty but should you be able to look past imperfections and face value, you may even stay for a while, entertaining notions of dating the city for just what it is. Beauty is after all in the eye of the beholder.
