Belgrade: History, Name Origin and Top Places to Visit

Where the Name Comes From

Covering 360 square kilometers and home to more than 1.3 million people, Belgrade is the largest city in Serbia.

Its importance showed between 1918 and 1941, when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

It kept that status during the former Yugoslavia, from 1945 to 1992.

The name translates literally as “White City.”

The name first appears in 878 AD, in a letter the pope wrote to the Bulgarian tsar Boris. Belgrade apparently got its name from the white sandstone fortifications that once carefully enclosed the city.

History of Belgrade

Because Belgrade lies where two major rivers meet, the Danube and the Sava, it played a key role as early as the Celts, who founded a settlement here.

The Romans later expanded the settlement significantly so their river fleet could anchor there.

In the sixth century, Belgrade became part of the Byzantine Empire, until the Slavs eventually took it over.

Belgrade in Dates

Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its residents always benefited from the strategic location where the Sava meets the Danube, so the city’s history moved in quick succession.

Ottoman rule lasted for centuries, broken only by occasional Habsburg conquests.

• 7th century: the Slavs settled here and gave the city its current name, Belgrade
• 14th and 15th centuries: the city’s so-called golden age
• 1521: the Ottomans conquered the city, opening their way to further expansion into Europe
• 1788 to 1789: during the war against the Turks, Austrian military commander Ernst Gideon von Laudon captured Belgrade
• 1867: Belgrade became part of independent Serbia for good
• 19th century: major modernization, as old Ottoman buildings gave way to new ones

Where to Go

Belgrade draws visitors with both historic and relatively modern architecture, and the two faces of the city often blend on a single walk. We’ve picked three places you shouldn’t miss when you visit Belgrade.

• Belgrade Fortress

  One of Belgrade’s oldest landmarks, it traces its roots back to the 2nd century AD, when the ancient Romans built it.

  You’ll find an original Roman well, Turkish baths, and bastion buildings, towers and gates.

• Jevremovac Botanical Garden

  This beautiful botanical garden right in downtown Belgrade is an oasis in the middle of a busy big city. You’ll find it in the historic Stari Grad (Old Town) district.

• Genex Tower

  If you love functionalism and massive concrete buildings, head to the Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) district.

  Among tons of reinforced concrete, you’ll find the giant 119-meter Genex Tower, a twin skyscraper whose towers are connected by a bridge at the top. You can even rent accommodation in it.

Where Else to Go in the City

If you have more time to explore Belgrade, add the iconic Church of St. Sava and the Nikola Tesla Museum to the three tips above.

For a first look at the city, a long weekend is enough: see the sights by day and enjoy the lively nightlife in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does the Name Belgrade Mean?

Belgrade literally means “White City.” The name most likely comes from the white sandstone fortifications that once carefully enclosed the city, and it first appears in written sources in 878.

Is Belgrade the Largest City in Serbia?

Yes, with 360 square kilometers and more than 1.3 million residents, it’s the largest city in Serbia. From 1945 to 1992, it was also the capital of the former Yugoslavia.

Who Lived in Belgrade Before the Slavs?

The Celts founded a settlement here. The Romans later expanded it so their river fleet could anchor there. In the sixth century, the city became part of the Byzantine Empire.

What Should You See in Belgrade?

When you visit Belgrade, plan above all for Belgrade Fortress with its Roman roots, the Jevremovac Botanical Garden in the historic Stari Grad district, and the giant Genex Tower twin skyscraper in the New Belgrade district.