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Prague In Your Pocket takes a look at this most hedonistic of
http://www.inyourpocket.com
Prague In Your Pocket takes a look at this most hedonistic of cities.
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade Highlights
Knez Mihailova Street
The ma
http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade Highlights
Knez Mihailova Street
The main promenade and shopping centre. A pedestrian zone, it stretches between Terazije and Kalemegdan Park. It is named after Prince Mihailo Obrenović, the most enlightened ruler of modern Serbia and the younger son of Prince Miloš. He came to throne after his father's death in 1860 and was assassinated during a stroll through Košutnjak Park in 1868. Sets of representative buildings and mansions erected in the late 19th century adorn the street
Republic Square
The main city square lined with the National Theatre building (completed in 1869), National Museum, and monument to Prince Mihailo erected in 1882, popular with Belgraders as a meeting point. Once it was the location of the infamous Stambol Gate, the main gates to the Belgrade Fortress. Today this square hosts concerts, protests and various other events. The National Museum is closed to visitors due to inadequate conditions for display and a reconstruction will take several years, so you will be unable to see a large collection of international painters (particularly impressionists), or its most valued treasure - Miroslavljevo jevanđelje (Miroslav Gospel), the oldest preserved manuscript in Serbian Cyrillic Script (from 1190) with very rich decorations.
Serbian Parliament (Skupstina)
Trg Nikola Pasic 13.
This building certainly has seen a fair bit of action. Started off in 1906, building activities were interrupted by the First World War; it was completed in 1932, while the Playing Black Horses statues were added in 1939. In 1945, the Yugoslav Republic was announced here, and more recently the building had its 15 minutes of fame on October 5, 2000, when part a crowd of 900,000 gathered in Belgrade stormed the building, throwing out fraudulent ballot papers, setting fire to a room or two and scooting off with bits and pieces of the building and its interior, while RTS (Serbian state TV) happily chose to ignore all the fuss. BBC's John Simpson reported: 'when demonstrators brought out hatstands, chairs and policemen's helmets from the parliament building, it was more in the spirit of souvenir hunting than looting'. When the new authorities later kindly asked the public to bring back the furniture, nobody was surprised that many did so.
Albania building
Knez Mihailova 2-4.
Located on Terazije - the centre of the city and the Balkan Peninsula. Terazije is a landmark from which all distances in Serbia are measured. Completed in 1939, Albania was the tallest building in Belgrade and the Balkans for a long time. It was named after a tavern named Albania, which occupied the same site. Workers digging its foundations turned up a mammoth's skeleton. It is one of the symbols of Belgrade, and one of very few buildings which were spared the destructions of WWII.
Cathedral Church
Kneza Sime Markovića bb.
The main church of the city, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The present church (from 1845) was built on the site of a former Cathedral Church, dating from the 16th century, which had been repeatedly demolished and desecrated by the Ottoman Turks. The church treasures the holy remains of Serbian saint Emperor Uroš (the last of Nemanjić Royal house), and it is the burial site of some of the most important figures in Serbian history: Vuk Karadžić, Dositej Obradović, and Serbian rulers of the Obrenović dynasty - Miloš, Mihailo and Milan. The interior is richly decorated with a gold-plated carved iconostasis. Across from the church is the seat of the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, a building completed in 1935.
Kalemegdan Park
Kalemegdan Park was created as late as the 19th century, on a plateau in front of the fortress, which had been cleared for centuries to allow for unobstructed view of the advancing enemy. The park is popular because of its many shady benches, random sculptures, art pavilion, Zoo, amusement park, souvenir vendors. It is the favourite haunt of chess players, squirrels and couples in love.
For more information go to: http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade/Sightseeing/cate gory/64403-Essentials.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade Fortress & Kalemegdan Park
Located on a
http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade Fortress & Kalemegdan Park
Located on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Sava river into the Danube. The Romans were the first to build a fort (castrum) at this site and in the late 1st century AD, it became HQ of the IV Flavian Legion. Over the centuries of sieges, battles and conquests, the fortress was repeatedly razed to the ground, rebuilt and restructured. It took on its present shape round the end of the 18th century, but again, the wars that followed swept away nearly all the buildings. The Belgrade Fortress consists of Upper Town, Lower Town and Kalemegdan Park. Kalemegdan Park was created as late as the 19th century, on a plateau in front of the fortress, which had been cleared for centuries to allow for unobstructed view of the advancing enemy. The park is popular because of its many shady benches, random sculptures, art pavilion, Zoo, amusement park, souvenir vendors. It is the favourite haunt of chess players, squirrels and couples in love.
The most of the preserved fortress ramparts and gates are located in the Upper town, as well as the Military Museum, St. Petka and Ružica churches, Roman Well (an intriguing building whose eerie waters claimed many lives) and the symbol of Belgrade - Pobednik (The Victor). The plateau with the statue of Pobednik offers stunning views over the rivers and incredible sunsets. The Lower Town at the banks of the Danube was the main city centre in the Middle Ages. It was surrounded by walls and had a port. Only a few buildings remain today: Kula Nebojša (Daredevil Tower) from 1460, Turkish Bath from the 18th century (today housing a planetarium), Gate of Carl VI from 1736.
For more information go to: http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade/Sightseeing/Esse ntials/venue/38548-Belgrade_Fortress.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 07.08.2007
The NATO trail - Kneza Milosa
There are not much
http://www.inyourpocket.com 07.08.2007
The NATO trail - Kneza Milosa
There are not much local sources that will tell you about the effects of the NATO campaign against Yugoslavia between March 26 and June 10, 1999. Whatever your views on the events, you'll certainly be impressed by the results. Here's an overview of what was targeted and what can be seen. Note that taking photographs may not be appreciated by bystanders or guards.
Kneza Milosa
A stroll down Kneza Milosa will bring you past some scary examples of precision bombing. On the corners of Kneza Milosa and Nemanjina there are the twin giant buildings of the Yugoslav Ministry of Defense. Especially these were heavily damaged during the bombings on May 7, and the impressive ruins will remain a warning eyesore for quite a while. Note that the buildings that were hit are rendered completely ruined, while the neighbouring buildings only occasionally have suffered damage, although all windows within two blocks broke. Further on, near the Canadian embassy at N°75, is the Yugoslav Ministry of Interior, and across the street the Serbian Ministry of Interior. At Kneza Milosa 50 stands the US embassy complex that was deserted before the campaign, and was vandalised surprisingly lightly - here the elements did their job; years of no maintenance, rain, wind and snow have rendered the historical building on the corner unsafe.
Avala TV Tower
The huge 200m TV tower on top of
Avala hill, a Belgrade landmark just south of town, was targeted on April 30th. By taking it out, NATO managed to stop state TV broadcasts for 10 hours.
Hotel Jugoslavia
Hotel Jugoslavia was targeted on May 7th because of the casino owned by Zeljko Raznatovic (Arkan) and some offices. The missiles hit the northern end of hotel, destroying the conference centre, the swimming pool and a number of rooms, but leaving the casino undamaged.
RTS TV Station Aberdareva 1
Possibly the most tragic single event (and most shocking for Belgraders) was the bombing of the RTS Serbian state TV station directly behind Sv. Marko church. At 02:00 on April 23, 1999, a missile hit the technician's wing of the large building, killing 16 RTS employees. The shocking news was that the authorities and management knew that the building would be targeted, but still had the employees work there. Employees leaving the building during work, even during air raids, were threatened with martial court. The official who had given that order was nearly lynched after the strike (and later again attacked during the revolution on October 5, 2000). The 16 killed are seen as heroes who were offered for political purposes. A monument overlooking the ruins from Tasmaydan park asks zashto ('why?'), lists the names, profession and ages of the victims and has a photo of the ruins directly after the attack.
Tasmaydan Monument Tasmaydan Park
Located near to the Pampers playground, this monument was erected to commemorate the children killed during the NATO bombings of 1999. The text on the monument, erected by the leading daily newspaper, seems to express anger and indignation towards NATO rather than genuine sorrow for the children in question - as proven by the fact that the text is both in Serbian and English, and by the careless spelling: Dedicated to the children killed in NATO Agression 1999. 'Vecernje
novosti' with their readers.
The Chinese Embassy Bulevar Nikole Tesle
Nobody here believes the claims that the embassy was 'accidentally' hit, and the precision with which most other bombs fell elsewhere will get you wondering too. The building was half destroyed by several direct hits. Four Chinese embassy staff were killed during the attack, causing a diplomatic crisis.
For more information go to: http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/city/belgrade.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
The most relaxed bar on Skadarska has a brick vaul
http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
The most relaxed bar on Skadarska has a brick vaulted ceiling and lots of standing space to hold revellers on weekend evenings. A youngish crown sips espressos at the tables in the back before hitting the cocktail menu, listing Fuzzy Navels, B52s and Brazilian Nights.
For more information go to: http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade/hotels/Upmarket/ chapter/128-food__drink.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 07.08.2007
Belgrade In Your Pocket - Hotel Moskva
This elega
http://www.inyourpocket.com 07.08.2007
Belgrade In Your Pocket - Hotel Moskva
This elegant hotel on Terazije square is one of the symbols of Belgrade. The Art Nouveau building was constructed in 1907 and is under state protection. The rooms are furnished with authentic period furniture and an impressive collection of paintings. What is unique about this hotel is that is has 40 duplex rooms, and it is also the only hotel outside Russia with that name (Moscow). For many Belgraders, the pastry shop on the ground level is a favourite venue for a meeting over coffee, a piece of the famous Moscow cake, and a treat to live piano music.
For more information go to: http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade/hotels/Upmarket/ venue/38744-Moskva.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 15.02.2008
If a night on the tiles has left you feeling like
http://www.inyourpocket.com 15.02.2008
If a night on the tiles has left you feeling like road kill then get thee to Bar Pod Rybą (Under The Fish Bar), and pronto. Don't let the name fool you, this place is all about jacket potatoes. Enormous spuds come cooked inside a cast iron stove before being dispatched to the massed on paper plates or to go in styrofoam boxes. This is brilliant soakage, and the best budget dinner in town, with fillings including the editorial favourite: Hungarian sausage with lashings of 'devil sauce'. Polish menu only, though the staff are happy to translate when collared by monoglots.
For more information go to:
http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/gdansk/restaurants__cafes /Quick_Eats/venue/16000-Bar_Pod_Ryba.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 15.02.2008
Until the 16th century, when the growing Westerpla
http://www.inyourpocket.com 15.02.2008
Until the 16th century, when the growing Westerplatte peninsula finally separated it from the sea, Wisłoujście Fortress stood on the seashore and served as a lighthouse. It also served as a strategic point of defence for Poland, with about 40 bronze cannons and room inside for 1,000 men. The fortress was later seized by the Prussians and used as a prison. To get here, take bus N°106 from the main train station in Gdańsk and ask the driver to drop you at the Wisłoujście stop. Fenced off from the public for many years you won't see much other than sneaking glimpses through gaps in the fencing, though if rumour is to be believed it may reopen as a museum soon.
For more information go to:
http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/gdansk/sightseeing/places ofinterest/venue/16191-Wisloujscie_Fortress.html
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http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade In Your Pocket - ? Serbian Tavern
This a
http://www.inyourpocket.com 06.08.2007
Belgrade In Your Pocket - ? Serbian Tavern
This authentic Serbian tavern of an unusual name is located in one of the oldest houses in the city. Erected in 1823, it opened as a tavern in 1826, and was the first to install a billiard table in Belgrade, in 1834. There is still a wood stove for cooking beans and roasting potatoes in a corner. Great for national dishes and draught beer. The tavern has a summer terrace, and you can always hear a lively buzz of conversation, but no music devices, echoing the warm atmosphere of yore.
For more information go to:
http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade/Sightseeing/Hist oric_buildings/venue/38666-_and_34;_and_34;.html
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