For centuries it was a frontier fortress, the apple of contend between the rivaling invaders, Romans, Goths, Huns, Byzantines, Crusaders, Hungarians, Turks and the others. The first record of the name was Singidunum. In the 9th century A.D. documents call it “Alba Graeca” – “White City” which is precisely what Belgrade means in Serbian.

The oldest part of the town is situated at Belgrade fortress and Kalemegdan park, with a splendid view over New Belgrade, Zemun and Panonian Plain. It is skirted by the old Serbian quarter of Belgrade, Kosancic Crescent with its cobbled road, many elegant old houses and painters studios. Nearby is the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral built in 1837, dedicated to Archangel Michael, the Patriarchy, the Church’s seat of power, the Princess Ljubica’s Manor, the most typical building from 19th century and the oldest restaurant known simply as "question mark", built in the rare Balkan style.

From this point, the city spreads out in all directions: the pedestrian street of Prince Mihailo, central Republic Square dominated by a massive statue of Prince Mihailo on horseback, the National Museum and the National Theater on the same square with many popular coffee houses and restaurants around. From Prince Mihailo Street, where the atmosphere of the old times is combined with the glamor of modern times, straight line leads into Terazije square- the very center of the town dominated by hotel Moskva, a fine example of Belle Epoque architecture and Terazije Fountain. Then follows the Old Palace, now home of the City Assembly, and the New Palace, now the office of the President of Serbia. Nearby is the monument of the Nobel Prize winner – Ivo Andric. The street ends in Vracar Square with the small Church of St Sava and St Sava Cathedral, one of the biggest orthodox churches.

After Serbia was defeated in the battle of Kosovo in 1389, it was absorbed into the Ottoman Empire.

Through the XIX century its struggle against Ottoman rule intensified and in 1878 Serbia gained independence after Russia defeated the Ottoman Turks in the Russian – Turkish war of 1877-1878.

World War I began on Balkan Peninsula in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franc Ferdinand of Austria, which led to Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia. Within months, many of European countries were at war.

After the World War I in 1918. Serbia became part of Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, under the rule of King Peter I of Serbia who was the first ruler of Karadjordjevic dynasty. His son Alexander I succeeded him in 1921.

The name of the country was changed into Yugoslavia 1929.

In 1941, World War II begun, the Nazis occupied the country and the young king and his Government fled.

In 1945, after the War, the monarchy was abolished and the Federal People’s Republics of Yugoslavia with Josip Broz Tito as a prime minister was formed.

Tito became President in 1953. and President for life under a revised constitution adopted in 1963.

Serbia became an independent state again in 2006, after Montenegro left the union formed after the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1990s.

Serbia is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Council of Europe.

Culture

Serbia is one of Europe’s most culturally diverse countries. The borders between large empires ran through the territory of today’s Serbia for long periods in history: between the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire; between Kingdom of Hungary, Bulgarian Empire, Frankish Kingdom and Byzantium; and between the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian Empire (later Austria-Hungary). As a result, while the north is culturally “Central European”, the south is rather more “Oriental”. Of course, both regions have influenced each other, and so the distinction between the north and south is artificial to some extent.

Serbia has eight cultural sites marked on the UNESCO World Heritage list: Stari Ras and Sopoćani monasteries (included in 1979), Studenica Monastery (1986), the Medieval Serbian Monastic Complex in Kosovo, consisting of: Dečani Monastery, Our Lady of Ljeviš, Gračanica and Patriarchate of Pec- (2004, put on the endangered list in 2006), and Gamzigrad – Romuliana, Palace of Galerius, added in 2007. Likewise, there are 2 literary memorials added on the UNESCO’s list as a part of the Memory of the World Program: Miroslav Gospels, handwriting from the 12th century (added in 2005), and Nikola Tesla’s archive (2003) .Also, the UNESCO MAB Council has declared part of the Golija nature park as the Golija-Studenica Biosphere Reserve.

Serbian Manners and Customs

Serbia is a land of kind and warmhearted people, where hospitality is the dearest obligation of every host, where everything will be done to make the guest feel at home.

Greeting people

Shaking hands, done using the right hand, is customary when being introduced or meeting somebody of either gender.

When people meet for the first time they say their first name, shake hands and say “Drago mi je” which means Nice to meet you. If seated, stand up when meeting people, especially women and elder men.

When meeting after a longer time or upon some celebration such as a birthday, it is Serbian custom to kiss three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands. Of course, nobody will object if you only kiss once or twice while giving a long and sincere hug.

Serbs are, in general, open, friendly and direct.

House visits

As Serbian’s are good hosts they will invite you to visit them at home. Upon arrival at someone’s home you will be treated to a coffee, juice and brandy (rakija). Don’t miss trying the delicious sweet preserves “slatko” of which just a spoon should be taken together with a glass of water. Upon your first entry in a household it is customary to bring a symbolic present, a bottle of an alcoholic drink, an assortment of chocolates, flowers or similar. Sometimes you will be served with bread and salt, it is custom for welcoming the guest, especially in rural areas.

In Serbia, toasts are usually made with traditional rakija (brandy), often home-distilled. Toasts are made by clinking glasses, making direct eye contact and loudly proclaiming “Živeli!” A speech is usually only made on formal occasions, normally by the host, but a guest may give one, too.

During meals don’t hesitate even one moment to serve again if you like the food. The courses (starters, soup, main dish, dessert) are accompanied by saying “Prijatno” (Bon Appetite) and answering “Hvala, takodje” (Thank you, same to you).

Visiting for Slava

The greatest honor for every guest is to be invited to a “slava”, a celebration of a family’s saint day.

Don’t forget to bring a symbolic gift, such as a bottle of wine or flowers. The conventional greeting is “Srecna slava”, followed by kissing three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands. You will be offered “žito”, a ceremonial sweet made of wheat, sugar and nuts; you are required to make a sign of cross (if you’re a Christian), take one spoon and leave it in a glass of water. All that you have to do afterward is to enjoy the hospitality.

Food and Drink

Serbia has a lot to offer to hedonists and eating out to catch local flavors is an unforgettable experience and a highlight for many visitors. Make sure to taste the local dishes.

Serbian cuisine is a reflection of historical influences in this area, where Oriental and Slavic tastes are dominant. Local favorites are ćevapčići (small rolls of mixed minced meat), eaten with plain onions and warm bread, pljeskavica and all kinds of grilled meat.

Do not miss to try sarma (stuffed cabbage, minced beef and pork with rice enveloped in pickled cabbage or vine leaves), stuffed peppers, Serbian beans, podvarak (roast meat in sauerkraut), musaka (minced pork or beef mixed with eggs and potatoes and then baked), gibanica (pastry leaves mixed with eggs, cheese and then baked), proja (corn bread), etc.

The famous home grown spirits are šljivovica (plum brandy) and lozovača (grape brandy).

Should you be lucky enough to be invited to a dinner with a Serbian family, do not hesitate to accept! Such an invitation is always sincere, eating home-cooking meals always opens a whole new spectrum of tastes and flavors, and šljivovica offered to the guest in a Serbian home is always pure, strong and natural!

Paying the bill in restaurants is a big part of the Serbian mentality. The host will almost never allow a guest to pay for lunch, dinner or drinks because it is customary for the host to take care of all expenses as a sign of hospitality.

Sharing the payment around the table, except when there is no money around, is not considered convivial. You can ask to order a round after you enjoyed several paid by your hosts.

Nightlife

Belgrade is famous for nightlife and it is Balkan’s New York that never sleeps. Often called „City of Sin“, Belgrade is the center of the unforgettable fun and entertainment. Even the most famous tourist guide „Lonely Planet“ included Belgrade in the first place lists of the world’s best cities for nightlife. The same is with the rest of the cities in Serbia. In contrast to the rest of Europe, there is no single day of the week in Serbia when you cannot have a night out and that holds true for all generations, for all lifestyles and musical tastes and for all available budgets. After a wild night out, somewhere around three or four o’clock in the morning, people continue onward in search of grilled meat or „burek“.