Explore Belgrade Fortress, a Living Monument of Power and Legend

Belgrade Fortress (Beogradska Tvrđava) rises above the Serbian capital like a stone sentinel. For more than two millennia, it has watched empires advance and retreat, armies clash and disperse, locals stroll and artists linger. For visitors, it presents a thrilling day out where nature, architecture and history merge.

Long before Belgrade became Serbia’s capital, the Romans built a fortified camp here. They called it Singidunum, a strategic outpost guarding the northern frontier of their empire. From its ridge-top vantage, the stronghold commanded sweeping views across the fertile plains of Pannonia.

Over the centuries, the fortress has been destroyed, rebuilt, expanded and reshaped by conquerors who recognised its strategic and symbolic power. The Byzantines restored its walls, the medieval Serbs expanded them, the Ottomans adorned the citadel with minarets, the Austro-Hungarians later overlaid their own geometric precision of bastions and gates. Each layer of rule left its own signature in brick, lime and stone.

Today, the fortress is not a museum frozen in time but a living monument, animated by the city’s restless energy. Fountains glint beside powder magazines; Ottoman towers cast shadows over landscaped promenades. Street musicians play near centuries-old ramparts, and outdoor cafés brim with chatter beneath plane trees. Despite its storied past of sieges and conquest, it never feels solemn. Instead, it embodies Belgrade’s enduring spirit; resilient, warm and effortlessly convivial.

Belgrade fortress unfolds at the far end of Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade’s elegant pedestrian artery. From most central hotels, such as Mercure Belgrade Excelsior or the stylish Mama Shelter Belgrade, it’s an easy stroll. As you approach, the urban bustle gradually gives way to open skies, green spaces and the tranquility of the river banks.

Exploring the fortress’s ramparts and winding pathways is a joy in itself, but history and architecture enthusiasts will find plenty of treasures to seek out. Entry to the site is free, though a few attractions within the complex charge small admission fees. It's divided into two main sections: the Upper Town, reached via Kalemegdan Park from Knez Mihailova Street, and the Lower Town, which slopes gently towards the riverbanks.

You’ll find echoes of every era here, from a museum that traces centuries of warfare to a clock tower that once kept Ottoman time and the unmissable Victor Monument watching over the twin rivers below.

Founded in 1878, the Military Museum chronicles Serbia’s martial past with over 3,000 artefacts spanning from ancient weaponry to modern arms. Roman swords and helmets, Greek daggers, medieval crossbows, gleaming armour and ornate axes offer a tactile sense of bygone wars. The museum’s tranquil courtyards, dotted with tanks and cannons, contrast with the intricacy of its indoor displays.

Recently reopened to the public, the mid-18th-century Sahat Tower rises elegantly above the gate that shares its name. Built during Ottoman rule in the Baroque style, it resembles the clock towers found across Turkish cities. Climbing to the top rewards you with commanding views of Kalemegdan and the rivers beyond.

A haunting relic of the Ottoman era (1459–1878), this hexagonal mausoleum was built in 1784 over the tomb of Izzet Mehmed Pasha, a Grand Vizier of the empire.

This deceptively named structure actually dates from the 18th century. Located near the inner gate, it plunges 50 metres underground into what was once part of the fortress moat. Used historically for water storage, its shadowy depths have inspired numerous myths; some claim prisoners were once thrown into its depths, others that spies met their end there.

A proud symbol of Belgrade, the Victor Monument stands at the fortress’s highest point, surveying the union of the Danube and Sava. Erected to commemorate Serbia’s victories in the Balkan Wars, its conception dates back to the First World War. The statue, a nude male figure by sculptor Ivan Meštrović, holds a sword in one hand and a falcon in the other, symbols of war and peace. At sunset, as the rivers shimmer below, it is perhaps the most evocative spot in the city.

Sheltered beneath the fortress's commanding upper ramparts, the Lower Town unfolds along a gentler terrain. This atmospheric quarter reveals layers of Belgrade's complex past – Austrian engineering, Ottoman influence, Serbian Orthodox devotion and medieval fortifications – all woven together in a collection of monuments that have survived centuries of conflict and transformation.

Carved into the rock by Austrian rulers in 1718, the Big Gunpowder Magazine once safeguarded artillery. Its two vaulted chambers now house Roman sarcophagi, gravestones and altars discovered across Serbia. Occasionally, this cool, echoing space hosts concerts, with jazz music reverberating against the centuries-old stone.

Tucked behind an ivy-draped façade, Ružica Church offers a haven of spirituality within the fortress grounds. Built in 1847 as a chapel for the military, it is famed for its chandeliers made from decommissioned bullets and sabres; a poignant blend of artistry and remembrance. The gold-tinted frescoes, painted by Russian artist Andrei Vasilyevich Bitsenko, glow in the filtered light.

Set on the walkway linking the Upper and Lower towns, this small yet enchanting chapel was built over a freshwater spring that still runs beneath its altar. Inside, wall-to-ceiling frescoes by Belgrade painter Đuro Radlović depict scenes from the life of Saint Petka, an 11th-century ascetic revered for her piety and compassion. On 27 October, her feast day, the chapel becomes a site of pilgrimage for Orthodox believers who come to draw water from the spring.

Built in the late 19th century, this hammam pays architectural homage to two Ottoman bathhouses that once stood within the fortress before being destroyed during the Second World War. Originally a military bathhouse and later an astronomy museum, it can now only be admired from outside, its domed silhouette recalling the splendour of Ottoman Belgrade.

The last surviving medieval tower of the fortress, Nebojša Tower dates from around 1460. Its squat, octagonal form once served a defensive purpose, launching cannon fire towards the Danube. Today its interior hosts exhibits chronicling Serbia’s First and Second Uprisings.

Encircling the fortress, the Kalemegdan Parklands form the green heart of Belgrade. The name itself blends the Turkish kale (fortress) and meydan (field), reflecting the city’s layered heritage. Once a military parade ground, the area is now Belgrade’s most beloved public park.

On weekends, families picnic beneath chestnut trees, teenagers lounge on cannons snapping selfies and couples wander along riverside paths scented with linden and pine. The park is divided into two main sections: Great Kalemegdan, with its sweeping promenades, and Little Kalemegdan, closer to the city centre.

The Big Staircase, designed in the 1920s by Russian-born architect Đorđe Kovaljevski, connects the upper fortress to the park’s grand esplanades. From here, the elegant Sava Promenade leads to the Small Staircase; an earlier, fin-de-siècle construction facing the French Embassy. Local artists often set up stalls along these paths, their paintings capturing the same views of rivers and skyline that inspired generations before them.

Within the fortress walls, a handful of cafés and terrace bars serve as perfect rest stops for an afternoon coffee or sundowner cocktail. Their tables spill out beneath trees, offering panoramic views of the Danube and Sava as boats glide past.

Beyond the walls, the nearby districts of Kosančićev Venac and Dorćol offer an appealing mix of traditional and contemporary dining. Duck into a kafana (a classic Serbian tavern) for grilled meats, bean stews and a glass of rakija (a local, fruity brandy) or opt for a modern bistro dishing up inventive takes on Balkan cuisine. Families visiting for the day might prefer to pack a picnic; almost anywhere in Kalemegdan Park makes a perfect alfresco spot.

Continue your journey along the Danube by discovering the best things to do in Budapest, or the hidden gems of Zagreb, Croatia's gentle capital city. Wherever you go, remember to book your accommodation early!