Houses in Singidunum looked similar to those in other Roman provinces. The building stone used was extracted in a quarry in Tašmajdan or Topčider. The houses had many rooms: vestibule, tabilium, cubicle, triclinina, depending on the wealth of the owner and the size of the house. The central part of a house was the atrium, […]

The findings of medical instruments (forceps, scalpels, special knives, hooks, small spoons), and the seal of an ophthalmologist (found in the Lower Town) indicate the existence of a Medicus, who took care of the health of the residents of Singidunum. Some of the instruments, along with small scales, were also used in pharmacy. A medicus’s […]

Viewed from below, the whiteness of the limestone ridge, together with the remains of the early Byzantine fortress, must have clearly stood out in the surrounding landscape. Walls and towers built of stone of the same geological composition and color, no doubt gave a new name to the town, ‘Beograd’- The White Town. G.Marjanović Vujović, […]

The German emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, one of the greatest emperors of his time in Western Europe, stayed in Belgrade when leading a large army to the crusades. He arrived in Belgrade at the end of June 1189, where he, his men, and his escort celebrated festivals of the apostles Peter and Paul. The German […]

Archbishop Danilo talked about a visit of Queen Simonida to his brother-in-law Dragutin and his wife Katarina. Queen Simonida, accompanied by many nobles and with the approval of her husband the Serbian King Milutin, arrived in Belgrade most probably in 1315. She was welcomed with many gifts and honours by Dragutin, Serbian nobles, and envoys […]

The ports had a major role in the Belgrade economy. Belgrade had two ports in the 16th century: a trade port and a military river base anchorage. The trade port was on the north side of the town on the river Danube, while the military one was a bit more to the east. Goods were […]

During twenty years of Austrian rule, Belgrade became a “Merry Town”. More than two hundred inns were opened, and four breweries were working to their full capacity. The most famous inns were “Red Rooster”, “Red Ox”, “Five Larks” and “Three Rabbits”, while the most notorious was “At Two Bulls”. In one of his reports to […]

During the reign of Aleksandar Karađorđević, the influence of western culture was increasingly common. This effect was first felt on the court. At the time, apart from the commonly celebrated “Slava” (Saint’s Day), special lunches were also made twice a year at the court. Pashas, ministers, foreign generals and consuls were invited to these special […]

A mystery surrounding the Roman well attracted adventurers who sought to reach its bottom. In 1855, Rome Zmorski headed into such an adventure, later remarking: “In recent years there has never been any need for using the well. It has never happened to me to meet anyone who would at least out of curiosity try […]

The first news on football in Serbia was published by “Večernje Novosti” in May 1896. According to the report, members of the Sports Association “Dušan Silni” played the first football match in Belgrade at the Lower Town close to Nebojša Tower.