Nis

 

The fortress dominates the city with its robust tower in the form of an irregular polygon and imposing entrance gate, traces of Turkish domination which began here in 1386 and lasted almost 5 centuries. The building, which dates back to the eighteenth century, has a bridge connecting it to the city centre. Well worth visiting are the old prison cells and gunpowder magazine.

This building remembers the battle of Cegar in 1809, when the Serbs rebelled against the Turks, leading to a defeat: the legendary commander Stevan Sindelic blew himself and his men up, setting fire to the gunpowder magazine to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. A three-metre-high tower was built in remembrance of this heroic gesture and, low down in a niche, is the bust of the national hero. Nearby is the Cele Kula, Skull Tower, which contains the remains of the Serbs decapitated en masse by the Turks, who preserved them as a warning to the local population.  

The monument, situated on a hill 3 kilometres from the city, is dedicated to the 10,000 victims of the Nazis, who set up the Crveni Krst concentration camp along road leading to the highway to Belgrade. It was built in memory of one the largest massacres of the war, which was ordered by the head of the Gestapo Himmler. This unique monument by the Croatian sculptor Ivan Sabolic takes the shape of three monumental fists, which symbolise the sufferance of humanity, but also of defiant resistance and refound freedom after the end of the Second World War.

On the right-hand side of the River Nisava is one of the most beautiful and historic palaces of Nis. Built in 1889 in neo-Renaissance style and once seat of the Government, it now houses the University and Congress Centre.

The Orthodox Cathedral, built between 1856 and 1872 and consecrated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, is a striking example of Serbian-Byzantine art, with elements of Baroque and oriental Renaissance. Consecrated as a church after liberation from the Turks in 1878, it was destroyed by a fire in 2001, but has been faithfully restored. It features a large artistic iconostasis, a traditional theatrical element in orthodox churches that separated the central nave from the area where mass was celebrated.

Celebrations take place here on 3 June for the Emperor and his mother Helena, who is also a saint in the Catholic Church. All religious, artistic and cultural events are organised from this church on this important date for the inhabitants of Nis.

This is an important Roman archaeological site on the left-hand bank of the river, which covers approximately 40 hectares of land along one of the more renowned and strategic roads of ancient times, Via Militaris. Once the holiday place of emperors and notable court figures, it comprises villas with porticoes and fountains, decorated with mosaics and geometric motifs or with mythological figures. The main villa is decorated with a magnificent peristyle (series of columns edging a courtyard). Nearby is the Archaeology building of the National Museum, which houses finds from the Roman era from ancient Nis and its suburbs: coins, statues, frescoes, objects associated to a very popular betting game of the era, and items from everyday life, as well as a copy of Constantine’s portrait.

The Archaeology Room of the Nis National Museum houses artefacts that illustrate the history and culture of the city. It preserves: Roman money, military cards, statues, tombstones, remains of the border around the Roman villa of Mediana, medieval jewels, stone icons and crosses. The room also contains unique works of art, such as a copy of the portrait of the emperor Constantine, a sculpture of Jupiter on a throne and a portrait of the Byzantine Theodora/Euphemia.

A few miles from Nis is the spa town of Niska Banja, which has been known since ancient times for the properties of its waters, a remedy for high blood pressure, heart problems and rheumatism, and where visitors are pampered with relaxing massages carried out using chocolate and cinnamon.  

A tour of the so-called Southern Alps of Serbia or Suva Planina, 15 kilometres to the east of Nis, will envelop visitors in infinite calmness. A perfect place for relaxation, the unique countryside is also considered a site of biodiversity, and numerous plants and animals – particularly birds – are found only here. It is particularly recommended for lovers of mountaineering and winter sports.