THE FORTRESSES OF SERBIA

Welcome to the site about fortresses and fortified towns of Serbia

Step into the rich history of Serbia and discover its hidden treasures!
Since ancient times, and especially throughout the Middle Ages, the territory of present-day Serbia has been adorned with numerous magnificent fortifications, many of which are celebrated in epic folk songs. Apart from the well-preserved fortresses like Belgrade, Smederevo, and the recently restored Golubac, little or almost nothing is known about most of them. Today, many of these places, commonly known as Gradina, Gradac, Kulina, and Hisar, have been forgotten, lying in ruins and overgrown with weeds. The website tvrdjave.rs aims to bring these hidden gems back to life using interactive maps and stunning photographs. Join us in preserving our cultural heritage and inspiring a love for history and traditions among all generations. Let’s make history come alive!

Take a journey back in time

In the Middle Ages, Serbs referred to all defensive fortifications as “grad,” denoting structures built to protect and defend. These fortresses served to safeguard administrative centres, mining regions, key trade routes, trading places where caravans from the coast and the interior converged, as well as monasteries that functioned as cultural and educational hubs. Typically constructed from solid materials and encircled by strong walls, these military installations were strategically positioned at prominent and hard-to-reach locations. They were generally small and compact, with limited facilities: a barracks, a church, and a residence for the fortress lord. Today, the names of more than 200 fortified cities built in the Nemanjić Serbia are known. Many have vanished over time, and even the most famous and best-preserved ones are often at risk of a similar fate.