Exploring New Belgrade Serbia

I spent much of the day yesterday exploring New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) on foot. The closest I got during my last visit to Belgrade was enjoying a panoramic view of the area from across the river at Belgrade Fortress in Kalemegdan Park. Novi Beograd is on the left bank of the Sava River. It’s a captivating place rich in history, but decidedly different than the urban area where I’m staying in central Belgrade proper.

The district was “built from scratch after World War II, and is constructed primarily of concrete“. The word “block” is used to designate its areas. I’ve heard it said that Novi Beograd residents don’t consider themselves part of Belgrade, but rather, their own unique city. Admittedly, I find the massive concrete buildings and brutalist architecture a bit overpowering.

The bus ride to New Belgrade started near Moscow Hotel and passed over the Danube River via Branko’s Bridge. The bus driver was “laid back,” so none of the stops were indicated inside the bus. Luckily, I found a friendly English-speaking passenger who told me when to exit for a riverside walk by cafés, splavs, and raft moorings. Clearly, Saturdays are busy along New Belgrade’s riverside, especially when the weather is nice. It was a great opportunity to mingle and “people watch”. There weren’t many tourists, but hordes of locals were enjoying the sunny, warm weather. There was an abundance of joggers, cyclists, couples, children, and dogs. Few masks were worn.

History

“Surrounded by water, in a bend of the Sava River where it meets the Danube, New Belgrade territory is a former swampland. For centuries, it served as no-man’s land between the borders of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.”

The oldest part of New Belgrade is Bežanija (meaning refugee camp), which became part of the Serbian capital after King Alexander I’s coup in 1929. World War II came and ended, with Josip Broz Tito gaining power as the leader of a socialist Yugoslavia, with Belgrade as its capital.

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“New Belgrade, the youngest of Belgrade’s 17 Municipalities, is a real showcase of gritty communist architecture. It’s in complete contrast to the old core of the city located right across the river from it.”
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After the war in 1948, a huge construction project began to develop a “new city” and make Belgrade the “massive European capital that Tito so dearly wanted”. The project was designed according to modernist plans inspired by French architect Le Corbusier’s principles and socialist aspirations. In 1952, New Belgrade was officially designated a municipality. Today, it’s one of Belgrade’s most populous suburbs.

Over “200,000 workers and engineers from all over newly liberated Yugoslavia took part in the building process”. Work brigades included youth groups brought in from rural Serbia to provide much of the manual labour. High school and university student volunteers took part in construction.

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“Where a harmonious relationship between open space and buildings is achieved, the blokovi generate large squares with greenery, public services, kindergartens, and sport facilities, evidencing social interaction and appropriation.”

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Building the city took “backbreaking labour that went on day and night”. There were “no notable technological tools to speak of“. The “mixing of concrete and spreading of sand was done by hand. Horse carriages were used for extremely heavy lifting”.

New Belgrade Blocks

“Numbered 1 to 72, New Belgrade blokovi (blocks) are microcosms constituting local urban identity. Abstract in their naming and form, over the course of years, they developed their own character. Each block became a unique neighborhood, with distinct traits and a sense of belonging among its inhabitants.”

“Blokovi are designed according to varying concepts and typologies. From block to block, they exhibit different qualities of urban space. The ultimate result catalogues the virtues and vices of the modernist city, where a harmonious relationship between open space and concrete buildings is achieved. Evidencing social interaction and appropriation, the blokovi generate large squares with greenery, public services, kindergartens, and sport facilities”.

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“Novi Beograd was a true source of pride for socialist Yugoslavia, as workers, students, and normal people came from all over the state to help build the brand-new part of the capital.”

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Attractions

I spent most of my time walking along the riverside and Park of Friendship, a large, mostly flat green area along the river. New Belgrade is known for its fantastic food and restaurants. Some major attractions are listed below. I’ll definitely be visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art:

• Eternal Flame – in memory of civilians who died during 1999 NATO bombings
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Hotel Yugoslavia
• Ušće Shopping Center
• Genex Tower – 30-story residential / 26-story office towers connected on top
• Sava Centre – large cultural / business center

On my return to more familiar central Belgrade, I sat in the outdoor café at Hotel Moscow contemplating my day, while enjoying espresso and a delicious Serbian pastry. The friendly crowd was endlessly interesting!

Late in the afternoon, a small, peaceful religious demonstration passed by the hotel and ended at the nearby National Assembly and Presidential Court Palace. The purpose of the demonstration was unclear to me. Some excited fans were gathering to celebrate the Belgrade Red Stars winning the Serbian National Soccer League title.

Boat Tour

Later this week, I’m taking a sightseeing boat tour of Belgrade neighborhoods starting at the marina in New Belgrade’s Zemun area. It’ll provide a “water perspective” of the city.

Truly understanding the history and culture of an area takes concentrated effort, time, and patience but is very rewarding. I’ve learned 100% more about Belgrade and Serbia since my first visit, but have also done a fair amount of mindless wandering. :o) All in all, Saturday was another satisfying day exploring Belgrade!