At the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the fortress of Kalemegdan is the pride of the Serbs, who often cite it among the most remarkable monuments of the country. It is in fact a monumental complex, an aggregation of all the influences of the country that is concentrated on this ancient fortified site, which almost certainly dates back to Roman times. The oldest buildings on the current site were built by the Serbian despot Stefan Lazarević in the 14th century, before the complex was completely rebuilt by the Austrians from 1717, following the fortification principles of Vauban. The huge construction site was barely completed, but the Austrians sabotaged it when they had to abandon it to the Ottomans, who recovered the city. From 1739 to 1830, the Turks established their most advanced point in the Balkans, overlooking the Austrian border on the other bank of the Sava. They added their own buildings, a number of which are preserved in the upper part of the fortress, such as the fountain of Mehmed Pasha Sokolović erected in 1576 (of Serbian origin, sent by force to the janissaries at the age of 8). Also worth seeing is the mausoleum(türbe) of Damad Ali Pasha, vizier killed in Petrovaradin in 1716, or the hammam built in 1870. The fortress is also interesting for its various medieval towers and gates. The oldest is the Despot Tower, a square tower used in the 14th century as the main entrance to the fortress. To reach the Military Museum from the center, one passes under a succession of gates, such as the Istanbul Gate built in 1750 or the Karađorđe Gate erected in 1806. Another notable monument is the Nebojša Tower, which was built in 1460 and used in the Middle Ages as a stopover between the old port on the Sava River and the upper town. In the 18th century it was transformed into a dungeon, and Greek revolutionaries were tortured and executed there in 1789. In the lower town there are some remains of the medieval period - fragments of walls and mounds - and churches. The church of St. Petka is built against the wall and honors the Greek saint. The small church Ružica is known to all Belgrade students who go there before an exam. Right next to it is the ossuary of the heroes of 1914-1915, when the city was defended by the population. Very popular with the locals, the park is also open at night, for a romantic stroll and a breathtaking view under the starry sky.

The monument of gratitude to France. You will find the monument at the entrance of the Kalemegdan park, coming from the pedestrian street Knez Mihailova. Erected in 1930 by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović in Art Deco style, it is intended as a tribute of the Serbian people to France for the help it gave them during the First World War. Indeed, it was the Army of the East that recovered the Serbian army in 1915 and, from the Salonika front, made a victorious advance through Serbia in the fall of 1918. It is this spirit of sacrifice and the strong ties that were forged on this occasion between Serbs and French that Meštrović wanted to honor. Under several bas-reliefs of French soldiers, it is written, "We love France as she loved us."

The Army Museum (+381 11 334 3441, www.muzej.mod.gov.rs. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm). In the upper part of the medieval fortress are exhibited more than 40,000 items relating to the military history of the former Yugoslavia, from the earliest times to the present day. Weapons, uniforms and documents on the haiduk revolts against the Turks, Serbian and French uniforms of the famous French Army of the East that liberated Serbia in 1918, etc. A colorful museum and an excellent testimony to various aspects of Serbian history. In front of the museum, visitors can admire a whole range of Yugoslav, American, French and Soviet tanks from the Second World War.

The winner of Belgrade. At the end of the fortress, overlooking the meeting of the Sava and the Danube, you can see the symbol of the city of Belgrade: perched on a high neoclassical column, stands, in a proud and serene attitude, a young soldier carrying a message of peace. Built in 1928 by Ivan Meštrović, this imposing sculpture recalls the sacrifices of the Serbian army for the liberation of the homeland in 1918, alongside the famous French Army of the East.

Kalemegdan Zoo (+381 11 26 245 26, [email protected] - www.beozoovrt.rs - Open every day of the year. Ticket offices are open from 8am to 7pm. Tickets: 500 dinars for an adult, 300 dinars for children). Dating from 1936, the zoo located at the bottom of the Kalemegdan park is one of the oldest in Europe. You can discover more than 2,000 animals including a hippopotamus born in November 2012. Don't miss the Siberian tigers either.

Ružica Church. Located in the upper part of the Belgrade fortress, in front of the Zindan gate. According to tradition, the first church with the same name was built in the 15th century during the reign of the despot Stefan Lazarević. In 1521, it was completely destroyed by the Turks. Notice the candelabras made from bullets, it is original to say the least!