Belgrade

Lore & Background

Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. The Vinča culture, a major prehistoric culture, evolved in the Belgrade area in the 6th millennium BC. It was conquered by the Romans under Augustus and awarded Roman city rights in the mid-2nd century. The city is situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. Its population within the city proper is over 1.19 million, with the wider administrative area exceeding 1.68 million, making it the third-most populous city on the Danube. Belgrade has been battled over in 115 wars and razed 44 times, reflecting its strategic position. It is Serbia’s primate city, housing the central government, largest companies, and scientific institutions. Notable landmarks include the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox church buildings, and the Belgrade Arena, a major indoor venue. The city hosted the first Non-Aligned Movement Summit in 1961, the first FINA World Aquatics Championships in 1973, and the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008. It will host the Expo 2027 specialized exhibition.

Reader's Guide

Belgrade’s strategic position at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkan Peninsula, has defined its turbulent history. It is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with Neolithic farming cultures like the Starčevo and Vinča cultures flourishing in the area, the latter known for large settlements, early copper metallurgy, and a proto-writing system. In antiquity, Thraco-Dacians and later Celts (who named it Singidūn) occupied the site before it became the Roman city of Singidunum, awarded municipal rights in the mid-2nd century. Slavs settled in the 520s, and the city later changed hands among Byzantine, Frankish, Bulgarian, and Hungarian powers before becoming the seat of Serbian king Stefan Dragutin in 1284. It served as the capital of the Serbian Despotate under Stefan Lazarević, then was returned to Hungary. The Ottoman conquest in 1521 began centuries of frequent Ottoman–Habsburg struggles that repeatedly destroyed the city. After the Serbian Revolution, it became Serbia’s capital again in 1841, and later the capital of Yugoslavia. Having been fought over in 115 wars and razed 44 times, it has been bombed five times and besieged many times. As Serbia’s primate city, it holds special administrative status, hosting the central government, major companies, media, and scientific institutions. Notable landmarks include the University Clinical Centre of Serbia (one of the world’s largest hospital complexes), the Church of Saint Sava (one of the largest Orthodox churches), and the Belgrade Arena. It has hosted major international events such as the first Non-Aligned Movement Summit, the Eurovision Song Contest, and multiple EuroBasket championships.

Did You Know?

• Belgrade is the third-most populous city on the river Danube.
• The Vinča culture, known for early copper metallurgy and a proto-writing form, evolved within the Belgrade area in the 6th millennium BC.