Ritam Srbije / Rhythm of Serbia
All the secrets of Niš Fortress On the bank of the Nišava, from Constantine to jazz Serbia’s third largest city will enchant you with its laidback charm, rich history, excellent cuisine and music that compels you to dance
Niš je rodni grad cara Konstantina Velikog Niš is the hometown of Emperor Constantine the Great
Niš is primarily a prod- uct of its people. And here we’re not only referring to Niš na- tives, known collectively as Nišlije. This city that emerged on the site of a traditional crossroads has al- ways attracted people from all cor- ners of the world. And that is still the case today. One specific charac- teristic of this city is that it is con- stantly changing while remaining the same at its core, continuous- ly intriguing and enticing visitors from various parts of the world. We can seek one of the reasons for this peculiarity in the fact that the hometown of Emperor Con- stantine the Great doesn’t reveal too many of its secrets. Its cob- blestone streets, historical monu- ments, dilapidated façades and old taverns hide untold stories with a spirit that can be felt in the sizzling southern air. However, the inability to uncover and understand myster-
the capital of Southern Serbia was a meeting point from Roman em- perors and the birthplace of Con- stantine the Great – the first Roman ruler to convert to Christianity. Its turbulent history continued when it was razed to the ground by the Huns (441-442). Niš Fortress was reconstructed a few years later by Emperor Justin- ian I. However, it continued to be plagued by a similar fate, with the fortress finding itself under attack again shortly afterwards, this time at the hands of the Slavs. Ancient records show that Niš was better fortified than Belgrade, and that it had acquired all the characteris- tics of a medieval fortress – with strong walls and towers – by the 10 th century. According to sourc- es, this fascinating edifice was al- so in the possession of Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenos, Ser- bian Grand Prince Stefan Neman-
ies dating back to Roman times is intoxicating in its appeal. It is pre- cisely for this reason that the for- tress on the right bank of the River Nišava is a magnet for all lovers of history, architecture, festivals and unusual legends. And it has plenty of those. When you surround your- self with the old ramparts of Niš Fortress, the imagination awakens, with images of bygone times pass- ing before the eyes and stories bub- bling up seemingly on their own. Niš Fortress was mentioned in ancient times as a powerful cas- trum, which – according to 6 th cen- tury Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus - was “repeatedly be- sieged, but never surrendered or conquered”. The original stone Ro- man fortress is assumed to have been constructed in the mid-2 nd century AD, when Niš first appeared in written sources. By the 4 th cen- tury, this city that today represents
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