Sainted Sava of Serbia, the first archbishop of the Independent Orthodox Church he created, planted a new religion tactfully and humanely, skillfully weaving the pagan rites of his ancestors into the canons of Orthodoxy. He managed to preserve the pre-Christian customs of the people, many of which have survived to this day. During the Christmas holidays, Serbs burn badnyak - an oak stump, or a branch of an oak, sincerely believing that this will bring happiness and health in the new year. Bonfires blaze throughout Serbia, filling the space with the heady scent of oak. Churches and monasteries are decorated with oak branches. And with the first ringing of bells, women begin to bake Christmas bread - garlic, which literally translates as "a piece of happiness." And if you are lucky enough to celebrate Christmas in Belgrade, this bright, sparkling holiday will never be forgotten.
In this city, first of all, you should visit the Cathedral of St. Sava. The handsome Byzantine-style cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, stands on the spot where in the 16th century the Turks burned the relics of Saint Sava to break the spirit of the Serbs.
Then, along the pedestrian street of Prince Michael, you need to go to the Belgrade fortress Kalemegdan. The fortress was founded by the Celts in the 2nd century over the confluence of the Sava River into the Danube.
There is also the oldest Orthodox church in Belgrade "Ruzica" - one of the 10 most unusual churches in the world. Its chandeliers are made from shells and weapons of the First World War. It was with a shot in the Kalemegdan fortress that that war began. On the territory of the fortress there is a monument to the Winner, erected in 1927. On a high column - a naked youth, in one hand - a sword lowered into the ground, in the open palm of the other - a dove.
Worth visiting in the city:
- Zemun district
- Ethnographical museum
- Nikola Tesla Museum
Restaurants
Everything in Belgrade is very tasty and very cheap. Serbian cuisine has a lot of meat in different forms, but the taste of the dishes depends on the method of preparation and the set of herbs and spices. Vegetables, herbs and cornbread are always served with meat. The abundance of different types of cheese and feta cheese is also characteristic. There are also quite unusual soups, for example, with wild herbs. And a lot of sweets.
On Skadarska street, the favorite of Belgrade bohemia, you should look into the restaurants: Skadarska bohemia, Zlatan glass, Skadar attic.
What to buy
Shopping in Belgrade is an integral part of the holiday. The largest shopping centers are located in New Belgrade, but there are many small shops with all sorts of things on Knyaz Mihailo Street. There are also many markets in Belgrade where you can buy souvenirs and products in the style of only this country. For example,
- Jugs with delicious dried plums
- Charms - hand-embroidered basil pouches
- Kolubar lace
- Rakia plum or pear "Williams"
You will return from this city, hung with gifts, full of joyful emotions and unforgettable impressions.
