Belgrade Sights

Warm & Welcoming.

Those are two words I would use to describe Belgrade, Serbia.

The people that I came in contact with went out of their way to welcome me and help in any way they could.

First impressions - 

~~~It's an old city that reminds me of the Midwest in the US.  There is pride in having lived through some tough times, and a willingness to work hard to make a better life.

~~~There's a great appreciation for outdoor life.  I went for a mile-long walk from the hotel, and passed no less than six parks along the way.  Now this was late morning, but there were all kinds of folks enjoying the parks - folks you would expect like, old ladies, and moms with kids, but there were also working folks and students enjoying the outdoors.  It's almost as if the theme of the city is "work hard, but enjoy life."

~~~The weather was perfect, about 70-75 degrees.

~~~I didn't see anyone who looked like me until I returned to the airport when I saw two black folks.  I asked about this, and my guide said that they're a poor country with not much to offer outsiders, so mostly folks avoid their country altogether, or just pass through, like the Syrian refugees.

~~~It's one of the least expensive places I've visited.

The reason I chose Serbia is because I read from three different sources it was a great place to visit while it still maintained it's independent character.

Below are some of the sights from around the city.

Typical street scene

This building has been restored to its former glory with funding from the UAE.
Of course I found this very interesting.

Inside restored building 

Another view of inside restored building

Another street scene

This is a mosaic wall that houses the zoo.
It is also the entrance to the Belgrade Fortress.

Belgrade Fortress - Formidable and imposing

Fortress 2

Closeup of the stones making up the wall

Fortress gate

Another entrance.
Although the outside of the fortress is dreary and foreboding,
inside is the most beautifully manicured park with magnificent views of the city.

Placard showing that the fortress was built in 1404-1427.

Although this photo couldn't capture it,
this view from inside the fortress of the convergence of the
Sava and Danube Rivers is spectacular.

I love this guy!
This is the Statue of the Victor.
This was supposed to be in the center of the city,
but some folks were offended that he is naked.

The Ada Bridge.
AMAZING!

Another view

And another

One of the many parks

A beautiful tree in a park!

This is the Syrian refugee camp site.
They are required to register with the country,
even though they're just passing through on their way to Germany.
Serbia is in conflict with their neighbors, Croatia and Hungry,
who have taken a much harder view of the refugees,
choosing to build fences and using other tactics to keep them out.

Another view of the camp

And another

This is another view of the picture I posted a few days ago.
The large blank yellow board that was to the left, is now covered
with an ad for the new Belgrade Boardwalk that is coming soon.
This building is the train station.
My hotel was across the street.

Sign indicating that the church I'm walking to, St. Sava's Temple, is up ahead.

A statute on the grounds of St. Sava's Temple

St. Sava's Temple from a distance.
This church is incredibly beautiful and is the pride of Belgrade.

This is the entrance to the church.

Another view

The church is not finished.  You can see the scaffolding to the left.

Another view of inside the unfinished church

This is a small chapel next to St. Sava's that is
being used while it is under construction.
The thing I found really interesting is that there no pews.
The congregants stand during the service.

Another statute outside the church

Another park

This is a birdcage inside the hotel where I stayed.

There are not many places that I've seen that I want to visit again (mostly because there is so much more to see), but Belgrade is on that list.

As always, thanks for sharing this with me.