Smederevo Fortress (Smederevska Tvrdava)

Built in the 15th century and later fortified by the Ottomans, Smederevo Fortress (Smederevska Tvrdava) served as the capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages. Due to its strategic position between the Balkans and Central Europe, it was an important religious and commercial center in its heyday. Modeled after Constantinople Fortress, it provides a nice example of traditional defensive medieval architecture and has been relatively well preserved, suffering no major damage until World War II.

Located southeast of Belgrade, the fortress covers more than 10 hectares in the center of the city of Smederevo, where the Danube River meets the Jezava River. Completely surrounded by water, the fortress features 1.5 kilometers of two-meter thick walls and 25 towers that each stand about 25 meters tall. While only the foundations of the fortress remain in some places, conservation efforts have restored the escarpment along the Danube and a southern wall that is used as a levee. The fortress today is used as a park and often hosts festivals, concerts and other cultural events.