Guide to Upper Dorćol's Venues

Dorćol is the most prominent neighborhood of Belgrade. It is located in the municipality of Stari grad-Old town. It begins 700 meters north from Terazije, the central square of Belgrade. It is divided in a two sections: Upper Dorćol, which covers the area from Akademski park to Cara Dušana and Bulevar Despota Stefana streets and the right bank of the Danube, Lower Dorćol used to be known as Jalija (Turkish Yali, bank). It boarders the neighborhoods of Stari Grad  and Jevremovac and Kalemegdan fortress, which is considered as part of Dorćol as well. 

                                                          Dorćol by Marija Velinov 

This is a historical neighbourhood of Belgrade. An area where the first city is created. In the past this was multicultural part of town, where Gypsies, Jews, Turks and Serbs lived. Before the Second World War Belgrade included three synagogues and thousands of Jews who had their own quarter in Dorćol, meanwhile after the bombing in the WWII just one synagogue survived. The most of the Jews left the Kingdom of Yugoslavia or were executed by Nazis. Today, the heritage of Jews and their story is presented in  the Jewish museum in Kralja Petra (King Peter's) street. 

Museum & Galleries: 

Ethnographic museum. 

This is one of the oldest museums in Serbia. It showcases national costumes, dresses and weapons from the wars and similar artifacts. 

Jewish museum 

Small museum located in the building of Kralja Petra street. It showcases artifacts and documents of life of the Jews in Serbia, 

                                                                Dorćol by Marija Velinov 

Culture Centre UK Parobrod 

This the official culture centre of Stari Grad municipality and one of the most visited culture center among younger urban population. In this spot visitors can catch cool art and design exhibitions, workshops and presentations and movie screenings. 

In the basement of the building stands Das Boot jazz club. Perfect place for drinking coffee during the day and listening to djs and live music during the night. 

Bars: 

Dorćol is a home of many different bars. You can check out Pastis bistro in 52B Strahinjica bana street or the famous Centrala bar in 6 Simina street. 

Restaurants:

I would suggest Tribeca restaurant on the corner of Kralja Petra and main street Knez Mihailova. This restaurant operates successfully for more than 10 years. 

Restaurant Jevrem has a beautiful garden and serves both traditional and international dishes. It stands in 36 Gospodar Jevremova street. 

                                                           Supermarket Concept Store 

Shopping: 

If you want to feel trendy and hip drop by Supermarket concept store in Višnjićeva street. This is the first concept store in the Balkans. This big place offers fusion cuisine restaurant, cocktail bar and one section that represents a store offering fashion items from both local and international scene. 

Club: 

The Tube is one of the most prominent clubs in Belgrade. It hosted world class djs from all over the glob such as Ben Klock, Jimmy Edgar, Nina Kraviz, Steffi and similar. It is oriented towards house and techno music. 

 Where to stay: 

Of cause we recommend our company City Break Apartments. We offer fully equipped apartments in this central area of Belgrade. You can check out our map and find apartments in your desired location for a very descent prices. 

Easter in Serbia

This is the most important Christian holiday. Easter day around the world usually means celebration around the rich table with the loved ones.

Easter day, representing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, is the most important holiday for Christians all around the world who cherish their own customs, beliefs and habits that are passed on from generation to generation. The Orthodox Christian date for Easter Sunday often occurs at a later date than the Easter date observed by many western churches. Orthodox Easter preparations begin with 40 days of strict fasting prior to Easter Day.

               

People are engaged in painting, decorating and coloring Easter eggs. This usually happens on Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Easter eggs are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter. The egg is seen as a symbol of resurrection: while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it.Easter egg is hard-boiled and dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ and the first painted egg is kept until the next Easter, as guardian of the house. 
In the morning, on Easter Sunday, believers go to the church to participate in the Easter service after which the holiday is traditionally celebrated with the family around the festive table. All people, no matter if they are believers or not greet each other that day saying: "Hristos Vaskrse" (Christ is risen) and "Vaistinu Vaskrse"(Truly He is risen). There is no particular Easter dish in Serbia, but it is customary to prepare a lamb and pastry dough in different forms.

In addition to the various celebrations before Easter Sunday, the culmination of activities is the egg tapping game. The owner of the last undamaged egg is considered lucky.

Easter is time to get together with friends, family and loved ones and celebrate this joyful time.

Happy Easter!

Street Art in Belgrade

We continue in our style. We wrote about Savamala "Creative District" and Beton Hala restaurants on the riverfront in our previous articles. Today, we showcase more of Belgrade creativity. Some of local municipalities decided to redecorate gray facades of buildings and support public art. With a help of graffiti and street artists this town is becoming more colorful and arty. 

In case you need accommodation in downtown of Belgrade or in this neighborhood City Break Apartments provide the best and full equipped  apartments. If you prefer this area we suggest apartments Soho, Savamala and Palace 29.  

SAVAMALA

An ex industrial zone on the river, below Brankov bridge and near the center of the city, Now, known as the creative hub of Belgrade. Streets as Brace Krsmanovica are covered with graffiti. The most of them are made by the local artists. Foreign guests were in Belgrade with the aim to paint murals. The most of them came during Belgrade festivals.

                                                        Mural by SQON, Photo by B Local Travel 

 

                                                    Our Favorite graffiti the "Ghosts of Savamala"

La Santa de Belgrad is one of the trademarks of Belgrade. Located in Karadjordjeva street. Created by artist Giom Olbi Remed. 

 “I have search some information, about the history and architecture of Belgrade. Then I learnt, that it has been destroyed and rebuild 38 times in her history.. So this ” santa” inspired from an icon of the city my friend sent me, has several hands and a hidden black face. Between her legs, an egg from which goes out life and civilization. One hand is holding it, protecting it…One other hand is sending lightening on the city to destroy it, but in her sleeve, there s a white flag of peace…One of her other hand, is holding her breast, as a mother giving milk, feeding the city…but hidden in her sleeve, a big gun, war weapon…Then the top hand, is also sending lightnings destroying the city, but from her sleeve, a free bird is going out to fly and spread peace !”, wrote Giom Olbi Remed.

                                                           La Santa de Belgrade, Kardjordjeva street 

Mural titled "Waiting for the sun" is a work of  Aleksandar Maćašev and it gives a very different impression to passersby captured in nearby ruined and dirty facade of Savamala. Made during Mikser festival. 

                                                                Waiting for the sun 

Also, one of the most famous murals in Belgrade is this one. Painted by BLU during Belgrade Summer Festival. A metropolitan monster is eating a surviving tree.  

                                                                       BLU, 2009.