Ottoman Belgrade tour

Belgrade has withstood numerous sieges by the Ottoman army following the Battle of Kosovo. It wasn’t until 1521, under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, that Belgrade fell under Ottoman control. The city was a strategic asset; conquering Belgrade opened the pathway for the Ottomans to Western Europe. With the border shifting northward, Belgrade’s strategic position changed, and over the next 150 years, it became a relatively peaceful city with significant trading and transport functions. 

After being razed and burned, the rebuilt city gradually adopted an oriental appearance with the construction of mosques, bezistans, and caravanserais along its streets, becoming a bridge between East and West. The city reached its peak under Ottoman rule in the 17th century, boasting a population of 100,000. This tour will delve into the rich history and period under Ottoman rule, inviting you to step back in time and discover how life unfolded in the city during this turbulent era

Our “Ottoman Belgrade Tour” begins at 12:00 PM either at the “Big Tours” office (Kralja Milana No. 8 next to the old palace) or at Republic Square. At Republic Square, we will discuss the notorious Stambol Gate, named after the road leading to Istanbul (Stambol). After exploring the history of the Stambol Gate and its significance during the Ottoman period, we proceed down Knez Mihailova Street to Students’ Square, which was the center of ancient Singidunum and served as a cemetery where Turkish soldiers killed in battles around Belgrade were buried during the Ottoman era. Across from the park stands the turbe (tomb) of Sheikh Mustafa.

At this site, one of the 17 tekijes that once existed in Belgrade used to stand. A tekija is a type of Islamic monastery that was a gathering place for a particular group of mystics known as Dervishes, adherents of Sufism. Although the tekija was later demolished, the turbe where Sheikh Mustafa Baghdadi, a representative and leader of the Sufi order in Belgrade, was buried remains.

From there, we continue on foot to the Bajrakli Mosque, the only remaining mosque of the 273 that once stood in Belgrade, bearing witness to the city’s turbulent past. We will hear some of the many stories, both told and untold, at this location. After visiting the mosque, we head to Kalemegdan and pass through Zindan Gate, the most famous and striking gate of Belgrade Fortress, which harbors a dark past. Soon we arrive at the recently restored fountain of Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic, one of three great Turkish viziers of Serbian origin and a significant figure of his time. We will learn why Mehmed Pasha was so important for Serbia and Serbs during this period from one of the most scenic vantage points of Belgrade Fortress.

Continuing our tour, we pass by the other remaining turbe in Belgrade, where the remains of Damad Ali Pasha, the conqueror of the Morea, lie. Damad Ali Pasha’s last northern campaign began in the early 18th century towards Petrovaradin. The Ottoman army lost the battle, and the Pasha, wounded, died shortly thereafter; his body still rests in the turbe at Kalemegdan.

We conclude our journey through Stambol Gate, back down Knez Mihailova Street to Republic Square, where our exploration of Ottoman Belgrade comes to an end. This tour not only enriches your understanding of Belgrade’s Ottoman past but also connects you deeply with the city’s historical layers.