Fun facts about Belgrade
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Belgrade (“White City” - by its white stone out of which the fort was made) got a lot of names throughout history such as: Singidun – Celtic name; Singidunum – romanized Celtic name; Alba Graeca – Latin name; Fehérvár – Hungarian name; Weißenburg and Griechisch-Weißenburg – German name;
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Due to its tactical location at the meeting of the 2 rivers, the city has found itself at the junction of Western and Oriental Europe.
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When you are walking on the pavement of Belgrade you are actually walking on the roofs of old Roman city which originated from the 1st year of new era. The remains of Roman Empire can be found till in the center of the city around Republic square, Rajiceva shopping center, King Peter street and Kosancicev venac street.
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Belgrade was fought over in 115 wars and appropriately got a nickname, the White Fenix as it has been destroyed and rebuilt more than 44 times during its history.
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The only official formula race held in Belgrade was during the WWII. It happened on 3rd September 1939 around Kalemegdan to celebrate the birthday of King Peter II.
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Belgrade can be seen in world known video games like Battlefield and Half life, where you can see some of the Belgrade attractions.
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The 3 Fingers - lifting 3 fingers (thumb, index and the middle finger) is a Serbian tradition. So if you want to show your appreciation towards Serbia and to its locals that will send a clear message without having to struggle with Serbian language.
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A lot of famous movies are filmed in Belgrade: Bloom brothers, District 13, November man, 3 days to kill, Lockout, Ibiza, The white crow, Crawl, Chernobyl Diaries, Papillon, Mayhem, Corioulanus, The Raven, Incoming, An ordinary man, etc.
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City square duck hunting - The Slavija square in the 19th century was a hunting ground for wild ducks. The land belongs to Scotsman called Francis MacKenzie, and it was used as a place for hunters to gather.
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The first “kafana” (coffee house) in Europe was opened in Belgrade on Dorćol in 1522. This was long before it happened in London, Paris and Vienna.
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Serbian cuisine is very much a product of the multicultural influences of Serbian history and a lot of the food is meat heavy, with bread on the side, while in terms of drinks you can always be sure to be offered a glass of local, alcoholic Rakia to wash the meal down with.
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The most popular fast food in the Serbian capital are bakeries (pekara) with a variety of pastries. There are really a lot of them here.
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Constantine the Philosopher about Belgrade: “Belgrade is one of the large old cities which is set in a beautiful place, rarely seen even in the Universe. Let anyone speak up if any such city is to be found elsewhere.”
