The Fortress

  Tvrđava     more than a year ago
The fortress represents the most prominent sight and symbol of Niš, positioned near the core of the city on the banks of the rapidly flowing Nišava river. The current fortifications being Turkish and dating from the 18th Century, it's one of the best preserved in the central Balkans. Having been pulled down and rebuilt several times during Nis's turbulent history, the walls contain objects from various sources. In fact, the Turks were in such a rush to finish their structure and secure the vitally strategic area that they used any building material that came to hand: blocks, columns and even old Roman tombstones. 

The main gate at the southern entrance is climbable for elevated city views, and happens to be the best preserved. Inside the walls there are numerous remaining monuments to significant influences: the Lapidarium (0 - 300AD), the remains of an early Byzantine street, a small but aesthetically pleasing 'Bali-bey' Mosque, the monument to a Serbian liberator Prince Mihailo Obrenović, the prison and the beautiful Turkish baths (Hammam), now a very good restaurant. The Fortress covers 22 hectares, its walls are 2,100 meters long, 8 meters high, and, on average, 3 meters wide.


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