Belgrade Old Town (Zemun) Walking Tour (Self Guided), Belgrade

The oldest Zemun square. The arrangement was started in 1784 by the demolition of the Catholic Church and the construction of the City School, the Parish Office and the Church of the Blessed Children of Mary. It fits perfectly into Masarikov Square, Gardos and the Millennium Tower. Today, it is one of the favourite zones in the center of Zemun. Big events and a varied cultural and artistic programme for all generations take place here.

At the square, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the arts and culture through the many outdoor film festivals, music and art performances, church gatherings, and school plays that take place on the site. Surrounding restaurants and outdoor cafes spill onto the square throughout the day and night, making it a popular gathering place for grocers, local residents, and artists of all ages and backgrounds. The restored Zemun market has become a catalyst for the revival of the region, and it is quickly becoming a popular tourist attraction.

The outdoor market in Zemun is the best place to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, as well as antiques and some odd objects. Up until 1935, it was a cereal market. Nowadays, there are several rows of the best local produce sold at very affordable prices. The market also works as a flea market, where tourists and collectors may find some truly rare items, mostly from the 20th century.

The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belgrade is a historic Roman Catholic church with a rich and unique heritage. Built in 1795, it stands on the site of a former 16th-century mosque, which was demolished in 1784 during the Austro-Hungarian occupation. This period saw an influx of Catholics into the region, necessitating the construction of a new church. The architectural design of the church was undertaken by Thomas Zagrepčanina Miklaušića.

The church displays a blend of Empire and Baroque architectural elements and features a rather unusual arrangement for a Catholic church, with the altar facing east instead of the traditional west. This distinctive feature sets it apart from many other Catholic churches. Significant restoration work was carried out in 1817 to preserve its structure and beauty.

Located in front of the Zemun Outdoor Market, the church holds a prominent position in the community. Inside, one of the most remarkable features is the Baroque statue of the Black Virgin, made of ebony, alongside statues of Saints Peter and Paul. The church also contains one of the oldest specimens of thorny wood (Gleditsia triacanthos) in the region, standing over 15 meters high. This tree, brought from Jerusalem on the day the foundation stone was laid, has a profound symbolic connection to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as its thorns were used to create the crown of thorns placed on Christ's head.

Overall, the Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a place of worship but also a historical and architectural landmark, reflecting the cultural and religious evolution of the area.

The Saint Nicholas Church is located just two blocks away from Zemun's Gardos Tower. It was built between 1725 and 1731 in a Baroque style, and features a single nave and a two-story bell tower. The church has all the typical characteristics of an 18th century Baroque church. Its interior is decorated with a richly carved iconostasis, with the icons painted in 1762 by Demetrius Bacevic, one of the most famous Serbian painters of the second half of the 18th century. The church boasts a rich collection of ancient cult objects and the 18th-19th century icons.

The Gardoš Tower is a significant historical landmark located in Belgrade. This iconic structure is perched on Gardoš Hill, amidst the remnants of a medieval fortress, and was constructed to commemorate the millennium of Hungarian settlement in the Pannonian plain. The construction of the tower was part of a broader initiative that included several other buildings across Budapest and four-millennium towers situated at cardinal points, reflecting the expansive reach of Hungary within the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time.

Gardoš Tower was inaugurated on August 20, 1896, marking its place as the southernmost tower of the project, given Zemun's (now a part of Belgrade) status as the southernmost city in Hungary. The design of the tower blends various architectural styles, with a pronounced Roman influence. Its structure is robust and functional, featuring sandstone and custom-made hollow bricks to enhance the durability and weight of the building.

The tower stands 36 meters (118 feet) tall with a base diameter of 18 meters (59 feet). However, its internal diameter narrows significantly to 6 meters (20 feet) at the same level, due to the thick walls which themselves become progressively thinner on higher floors.

Originally, the tower was adorned with an eagle at its pinnacle and various sculptures, including lions and coats of arms, at each rest area (podest). Today, only one of the lion sculptures remains, adding a touch of its erstwhile grandeur to the structure.

The tower has also served practical purposes; for many decades it was used as a lookout by the local fire brigade, thanks to its strategic vantage point. While its historical roots tie it in directly to Janos Hunyadi, who died centuries before its construction, the tower today is a celebrated cultural monument and a popular tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and a glimpse into the region's complex history.

Zemun Cemetery is a public cemetery situated in Zemun on the Gardoš Hill. It is bounded by Cara Dušana Street, Nade Dimić Street, Sibinjanin Janka Street and Grobljanska Street, as well as with the staircase towards the Branka Radičevića Square, thus making the northwest boundary of the Old Core of Zemun. The cemetery is proclaimed the cultural monument.

Zemun cemetery on the Gardoš is located on the wooded plateau above the old part of the town and the Danube bank. It was established for the Catholic population, after the Turkish authorities had been expelled from Zemun and the town was incorporated into the Austrian Empire (1717). By the end of the 18th century the old Orthodox graveyard was moved to the same plateau. Both cemeteries are today at the same place, including the Jewish which was established in that location after 1739. By the middle of the 20th century the cemetery had filled up the present area and the authorities planned to open a new graveyard. However, that idea was realized after the Second World War and that new graveyard now serves a larger part of Belgrade.

The use of the old cemetery has been continued, although the idea was to bury there only those people whose families owned burial places there. The problem is still acute, particularly because a great number of tombs where the eminent persons were buried and numerous memorials of historic and artistic value have to be preserved.

In the Orthodox of the cemetery there are: the protected endowment church of the St. Demetrious, of the merchant family Petrović-Hariš (1876),the chapel of Spirta family (around 1911), The monument to the fallen and dead Serbian soldiers 1914–1918 (1928), the important graves of the former Greek and Tzintzari colony, graves of Russian refugees (since 1920), of the first pilots of Yugoslav passenger planes, businessmen, philanthropists, priests, scientists, writers, artists and others, with a large number of sculptures on them, the works of the eminent sculptors.

The Catholic cemetery keeps: a chapel from 1763 with several memorial plaques on its façade, a stylized chapel from 1909 of the Treščik family of pharmacists, a memorial to the warriors 1914–1918, a Neo–Gothic crucifixion in metal INRI, the graveyard of the nuns who worked in hospitals (since 1887) and schools (since 1928), memorial tombstones of merchant families.

The Jewish cemetery, one of the oldest in Serbia, has been the burial place since the arrival of Jews in the Austrian Zemun (1739) till the present time. The stone memorials have characteristic shapes, from votive plates to modern and representative, such as the tombstone to businessman Gabriel Polgar (1915)

White Bear Tavern (Serbian: Кафана "Бели медвед", romanized: Kafana "Beli medved") is a former kafana in Belgrade, in the municipality of Zemun. First mentioned in 1658, it is the oldest surviving edifice in the territory of modern Belgrade, not counting the Belgrade Fortress.

It is not recorded when the house was built, but it is believed that it originates from the first half of the 17th century. French traveler Michel Quiclet visited Zemun in 1658, then part of the Ottoman Empire. He mentions the house as the largest of three khans in town. The house is also depicted on the 1663 military map of Zemun, made by the German cartographer Heinrich Ottendorf. House is mentioned in 1717, when Prince Eugene of Savoy dwelled in it, preparing for the siege of Belgrade. The object was later named the "Zartaken" and as such appeared on the oldest urban plan of Zemun from 1740.

During the 18th century, the ground floor was turned into kafana. It is not known when and how the kafana got its name. It was originally called only Kod medveda ("Bear's"). The kafana was noted for its cimer, a hanging tin plaque with an image of the standing bear. As the town's house painters gathered in the kafana, celebrating their guild's festivities, they often painted the cimer, changing the color of the bear, into black, grey or white. As they mostly painted it in white, the locale became known as the "White Bear".

The house is the only remaining example of the typical Balkan architecture in the Old Core of Zemun, from the period of Ottoman rule (16–17th century). It is one-storey edifice, built in the bondruk manner, with timber construction filled with unbaked bricks.

A two-forked underground corridor, called lagum, was dug beneath the house. One is 10 m (33 ft) and the other is 14 m (46 ft) long. The walls are laid with bricks. While the house served as the kafana, they were used as a refrigerator. During the winters, when the Danube would freeze, the ice was cut with the saw and brought into the lagum. The food and drinks were kept in the layers of ice and straw. They were called ledenica ("ice room") and were usually allowed to be entered only once a day. As the corridors had good ventilation and a proper temperature, they were used as the wine cellar, too. There are additional lagums around the house. One, which is directly accessible from the living room of the present tenants on the first floor, is used as the larder, since the temperature is constant throughout the year, at 17 °C (63 °F).

The house is placed under the "preliminary protection", but it hasn't been kept by the city or preserved in any way. In February 2020 it was announced that if government provides funds in April, the project of the full reconstruction will be drafted by the Institute for the Cultural Monuments Protection. It is a prerequisite for placing the building under the full legal protection.

Ičko’s House is a Classical-style building, built in 1793. It consists of a basement, ground floor and partial second floor formed by a high gable roof with dormers. The tavern Marko Kraljević was on the ground floor, while the first floor was used for housing. The building is one of the oldest preserved houses, and is representative of a town house at the end of the eighteenth century.

The building is known as Ičko’s House because the rebel diplomat and trader Petar Ičko stayed in it from 1802–1803 when he had to leave Belgrade after the return to power of the Dahije. Ičko played a role in the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, working with the Serbian rebels.

The Franciscan Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony holds the distinction of being the only Franciscan monastery in contemporary Belgrade. Established by the Franciscans in 1717, the monastery has a rich history marked by multiple relocations and significant damage over the years, including wartime destruction and burnings. Despite these challenges, the monastery has demonstrated resilience and perseverance.

In 1807, the monastery underwent major reconstruction, revitalizing its structure and purpose. By 1838, a tower was added, enhancing its architectural prominence. One notable feature of the monastery is the Franciscan cross, which has been a significant spiritual symbol at the site since the 18th century and remains in place to this day.

During the 1990s, the Franciscan cloister housed an impressive collection of nearly 6,000 books and various objects of art, underscoring its cultural and historical significance. In recognition of its heritage and importance, both the monastery and its adjoining church have been declared cultural monuments and are currently under state protection.

Today, the Franciscan Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony stands not only as a place of worship but also as a testament to the enduring legacy and cultural contributions of the Franciscan community in Belgrade.

The Homeland Museum of Zemun, founded in 1955, documents the area's history from the earliest settlement to the present day. The museum's building was erected in 1848 and originally belonged to one of the wealthiest and most influential local families, the Spirtas. The building features Neo-Gothic design with flamboyant windows, which stands out among the other buildings in the vicinity.

The House with the Sundial is a landmark building in central Zemun. This 19th century corner mansion has a sun clock on its side, facing Dubrovacka Street. The sun clock still works, showing the correct time when it's sunny. The building was designed in a Classical style, with some Baroque features. The place is also renowned for being the home of writer Jovan Subotić, who spent there his last years.

Gospodska Street is a prominent pedestrian shopping lane located in Zemun, Belgrade. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, this tidy street is the central hub of Zemun, attracting visitors with its array of little shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants. It is not just a commercial center but also a place of historical and cultural significance.

The street is lined with many historic buildings and architectural monuments, making it a picturesque destination for both locals and tourists. One of the key landmarks of Gospodska Street is the Zavetni Cross, a victory memorial erected by Lazar Urosevic in 1863. This memorial stands as a testament to the street’s rich history and its importance in the local community.

Gospodska Street serves as a popular venue for public gatherings and fairs, contributing to its lively and dynamic ambiance. The street's ability to host such events highlights its role as a central meeting place and a focal point for community activities in Zemun.

Gospodska Street is also remembered for the historic Balkan Hotel. This elegant hotel, once a gathering place for intellectuals and merchants, housed the Serbian reading room in its courtyard building. The hotel’s cafe was a popular meeting spot for notable figures, including the famous Serbian storyteller Petar Kocic, who found inspiration for his works here.

Gospodska Street serves as a vital artery of commerce, culture, and community. Its blend of historic significance, architectural beauty, and lively public life makes it a cherished and enduring part of these cities' identities.