Weekend in Belgrade and Mladenovac

1. Basic facts about ”White Town”
Location
Belgrade is at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, situated on the confluence of river Sava into the Danube. To the south of this area are the ascending hills of the Balkans mountain ranges while to the north is the Pannonian plain.
The Kosmaj (628 m) and Avala (511 m) mountains are near Belgrade.
Due to its position, area of Belgrade, is popularly called ”Gates of the Balkans” or ”Doors of Middle Europe”.
Climate
Climate is moderate continental, with all seasons well defined. The average annual air temperature is 11,9°C. January is the coldest month and the hottest months are July (21.7 °C) and August (21.3 °C). During the Autumn and Winter, košava, a strong and cold south-easterly and easterly wind, bring cold and dry weather to Belgrade. Spring is rather short and rainy. Considered all the best time for visiting Belgrade are May and September, with lots of sun and very pleasant temperatures.
History of Belgrade
Belgrade, located at the meeting point of two largest rivers in this part of the world, Danube and Sava, is considered to be one of the oldest capital cities of Europe. The first recorded mention of the city dates from 6th Century BC, when Greek writer Hesiodus wrote about it. That century has been taken as the beginning of recorded history of Belgrade. Because of its geographical position, Balkan was always attracting an inviders and rulers who wanted to settle there and to control the city. We can see that from the fact that Belgrade had been destroyed 40 times, was changing rulers about 60 times, and had about a dozen of different names. In 3rd century BC, Celts settled down in this area and gave town its first name Singidun or ”the Town of Singi”. Around the time of Christ’s birth Romans conquered the town Romanizing its name to Singidunum (Dunum is a Celtic word which means royal residence, fortress).
Slavs came in this area about 1500 years ago. They called it “White City”, because when they saw it for the first time they were enchanted by the whiteness of its city walls, reflected in the waters of two rivers next to it. That name has remained till nowadays.
2. Major touristic attractions
Serbian capital city has a lot to offer. A variety of attractions, from churches and monasteries, museums and galleries, palaces, till fortresses.

2.1. Kalemegdan and Belgrade Fortress
Maybe the most attractive sight for tourist is Kalemegdan and Belgrade Fortress. This place is accessible from the end of the Knez Mihailova street and represent beautiful, dramatic and unusual story of the city on the crossroads. Most part of it is a park and the fortress walls, with several cafes, tennis and basketball courts, museums and observatory. Here visitors can enjoy the spectacular view and see one of the symbols of Belgrade-the statue of Pobednik (Winner).