Monday, 26 October 2015

Serbia- Belgrade and Novi Sad


Welcome to Serbia! 

We caught a train from Podgorica to Belgrade. A lovely 11 hour train trip through some beautiful mountain scenery but by the end we were very happy to arrive in Belgrade and have a walk around. When we arrived it was already dark so we walked to our apartment, which was luckily only a 10 minute walk from the station. 

We had an 8th floor apartment here and had a great view to the Ada Bridge over the Sava river. 




Nic Getting stuff done

Our first day in the city was a Sunday, so we headed out to where the locals spend a sunny Sunday afternoon- The Belgrade Citadel and Kalemegdan Park.  This is set a little way back from the river, high upon rocks looking over the city. The parks were full of people enjoying some of the last summer sun. We went for a stroll around and took in the sights and the atmosphere. 


Gate of St. Charles VI


 

Church of St Petka
Looking out over the Sava River 




Stefan Tower



We had a break and a snack sitting on the old fortress walls- great stot for a break! 


 



 
The Clock Gate

In the Fortress they have a Military Museum which includes tanks around the inner walls and museum entrance:





 


We also took a turn through the well planned Military Museum which covers everything from the early World Wars to Serbia's More recent turbulences. There are token English explanations of exhibits but there is more than enough t keep the eyes busy and for only $2 it is very worth it (not to mention that we only saw 3 other people in the place for our entire stay).

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting- HA 

 
A Massive shell                              And an Enigma Machine 

An Orthodox Church in the city. 

On our next day we took a walk to the Biggest Orthodox church in the world: Church of Saint Sava. The church was begun in 1935, but due to several wars and bombings of Belgrade, the church is still not finished- Walls and windows have been completed, but the work on the interior is still continuing.
The sheer size of this church is impressive, and finished or not, it is still pretty special to walk around inside this massive place of worship.  



 





All of the walls and columns inside are covered in plastic with work on the internal decoration still continuing and the floors are still unfinished concrete.  





Next to the Large church is a smaller cathedral, this one showing traditional frescos 

 



We made our way to TaĊĦmajdan park to have a walk around and look at the St Marks church and Serbian Parliament. 



The wind was a bit icy today

St Mark Church 

 

Parliament of Serbia building


Next we went for a stroll through some of the inner streets of Belgrade


 

Walking through Skadarlija street in Old town. In summer this would be full of life, and at night it is a main bar street. at the time we went it was much more relaxed and we were able to have a good look around this street which is over 400 years old 

 


 Back in the modern world


 

Some photos of walking through the main pedestrian shopping district

 


Autumn is upon us


A couple of Trams for you Michael :)


For another of our days, we took a 2 hour train ride north to the town of Novi Sad

the church in the main square













 

Petrovaradin Fortress construction started in 1692 and finished in 1780. Quite a long time to complete 




view from top of fortress


 



city views from the fortress



clock tower at top of fortress