Skip to content

Belgrade, Serbia

Introduction

Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia, located in southeastern Europe. With a rich history dating back to Roman times, Belgrade has been influenced by various cultures, including Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav. Today, it is a vibrant cultural, economic, and historical center with a population of over 1 million people.

Key Facts

  • Population: approximately 1.2 million
  • Area: 462 km² (179 sq mi)
  • Date of founding: Roman times (6th century BC)
  • Capital city since 1660
  • Official language: Serbian, but other languages are widely spoken

Geography and Climate

Belgrade is situated on the Danube River, surrounded by hills and mountains. The city has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.

  • Average temperature: -2°C (28°F) in winter, 22°C (72°F) in summer
  • Annual rainfall: 800 mm (31 in)
  • Average annual sunshine hours: 1,500

Historical Context

Belgrade's history is intertwined with that of the Balkans. The city has been conquered and ruled by various empires, including the Romans, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians, and Yugoslavs.

Roman Empire (6th century BC)

The Romans founded Belgrade as a fortified settlement on the Danube River. They named it Singidunum after their capital in modern-day Bulgaria.

  • Name origin: Latin "Singidunum" means "place of singing dogs"
  • Archaeological remains: many Roman ruins, including a temple and a forum

Ottoman Empire (14th-19th centuries)

In 1389, Belgrade was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The city remained under Ottoman rule for nearly four centuries.

  • Name origin: Latin "Singidunum" still used as a name, but with "singid" indicating it is no longer in use
  • Ottoman architecture: many buildings and monuments from this period have survived

Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918)

In 1867, Belgrade became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this period, the city underwent significant urban development.

  • Name origin: Latin "Singidunum" still used as a name
  • Austro-Hungarian architecture: many buildings from this period have survived

Yugoslav Era (1918-1991)

Metadata:

  • Model: llama-3.2-1b-instruct
  • Generation time: 2024-11-01 19:09:46
  • Keywords: Belgrade, Serbia, wiki, history, attractions, facts
  • URL: https://worldbestplaces.com/places/belgrade_serbia