Belgrade, a city of very tumultuous history, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its history lasts full 7,000 years. The area around two great rivers, the Sava and the Danube has been inhabited as early as palaeolithic period. Remains of human bones and skulls of Neanderthals, found in the stone-pit near Leštane, in a cave in Čukarica and near the Bajloni market, date back to the early Stone Age.

Remains of the late Stone Age culture have been found in Vinča, Žarkovo and in Upper Town, above the Sava and Dunav confluence. It indicates that the area of Belgrade has been continually inhabited and that the intensity of the settling has been getting higher and higher. Many of today's settlements in Belgrade surroundings lie on cultural layers of earlier prehistoric settlements.

Vinča near Belgrade comes among the most important settlements and cultural sites of the prehistoric period. The presence of Illyrians is characteristic for the Bronze Age. The archaeological excavations at Rospi Ćuprija, Upper Town, Karaburma, Zemun and Vinča confirm hypotheses that the Belgrade area has been intensively inhabited and that its population has been engaged in plough agriculture and other supporting economic activities. Necropolises of the Bronze and Metal Ages as well as the evidence of different cultural influences have been discovered at these locations.

Culture and Art

Belgrade is the centre of culture and art of Serbia. It is Belgrade where our most notable artists create, where over 11.000 theatrical performances, exhibitions, concerts, performance events, and other artistic programs are presented and where prominent authors in the world of art are hosted. Belgrade is the centre of the highest state and national institutions of culture and art: Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Library of Serbia, the National Museum, the National Theatre and the University of Arts.

It is Belgrade where the most significant works of architecture are located, with Kalemegdan accommodating Belgrade Fortress, cultural monuments and other immovable cultural treasures, numerous archeological sites with remnants of developed civilization and culture on Belgrade territory from prehistory until this day.

The City of Belgrade is the founder of 36 cultural institutions (11 theatres, 8 institutions for protection of cultural values, 4 libraries, 13 cultural centers and galleries) and the supporter of 2 public companies, at the same time the contributor in the implementation of schedules and scheduled attractions of 231 institutions and artistic associations.

The City of Belgrade is the founder of 11 cultural events (FEST, BITEF, BEMUS, BELEF, International Competition of Music Youth, Festival of Documentary and Short film, October Salon, Joy of Europe, Belgrade Book Fair, Sopot Film Festival, Belgrade Jazz Festival), and also the supporter of 69 events in the field of culture performed in Belgrade.

Come to a city where you will feel at home

This is not a tourist slogan but the truth. We are not bearing in mind the well know Serbian hospitality that seems to grow with the number of kilometers our guest has made to come to Belgrade. Belgrade is an unusual mosaic built up by centuries of overlapping civilizations in which everyone finds at least something that reminds him of home, obviously wrapped up in the inimitable Belgrade charm.

There is no place in the world with such a natural combination of oriental passion and European finesse. Having stood on the path of many conquests going both from the East and from the West, Belgrade has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and has not the continuity of style and the elegance of similar European big cities. On the other hand, it has abundant vitality, sense of humor, curiosity. That's why you will never get bored in Belgrade!

Climate

The Belgrade climate is moderate continental, with four seasons. The average annual air temperature is 11,90C.
Autumn is longer than spring, with lengthy sunny and warm periods (Indian summer). Winter is not particularly harsh, and averages 21 one days with below zero temperatures. January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 0,4C .
Spring is rather short and rainy. Summer starts abruptly. The hottest months are July (21,7C) and August (21,3C).