Earliest known as a Celtic fortified settlement
Singidunum was a city of great significance
Singidunum – meaning “Round Fort” was mentioned for the first time in I century B.C. , when Singidunum – a Celtic fortified settlement – was conquered by the Romans. Singidunum was a city with great significance for the defence of the Danube Limes so a military camp was raised at the estuary of the Sava and the Danube rivers. The area represented the intersection of the roads connecting the provinces of Moesia, Pannonia and Dalmatia. Singidunum was given the status of a free Roman city and was the permanent residence of Flavius’ IV legion.
Kalemegdan preserves the remains of the Roman castrum, the aqueduct, a cistern and a graveyard, while underneath Belgrade’s pavements lie priceless archaeological treasures. Parts of a Roman fort can be seen at the Roman Hall of Belgrade City Library; a collection of gravestones are exhibited in the underground tunnels of Barutana, and a collection of ornaments including dishes and pieces of art are kept at the National Museum and the Museum of Belgrade City. The present-day archaeological and historical site is surrounded by the most attractive city park, bearing the old Turkish name of this place – Kalemegdan.
It is a place where all generations, both Serbs and foreigners gather and spend their time enjoying the magnificent view on the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. It is also a place where foreigners gladly come in order to feel the history of that area of Belgrade.