One of Belgrade's most beautiful observation points, the Zemun Fortress, has been restored

Foto: Zavod za zastitu spomeniku kulture grada Beograda

One of Belgrade's most beautiful observation points - the rampart of the Zemun Fortress - has a new look. More accurately, it got its old look back, given that the restoration followed reliable data on what this corner of Zemun once looked like.

In less than a year the Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments completed the works, restoring the rampart's appearance.

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"Also, through presentation of the cultural good, the basic dimensions of the citadel have been recognized, as well as its shape. The restoration of Zemun Fortress is an act of preserving the identity of the old Zemun," said the Institute.

Before... /Photo: Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments

The greatest challenge was the reconstruction of the collapsed southeastern tower of the Zemun Fortress, which posed a potential danger to visitors and residential homes on the slope of Gardos - as well as works on the southwestern tower, where the opening of the entrance provided the possibility to display the original elevation of the former citadel's floor.

"The above-ground remains of the fortress walls, which were in a dilapidated state, have been shored up and restored, just like the southeastern tower of the Zemun Fortress," the Institute added.

... during the works... /Photo: Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments

The first phase of the Zemun Fortress reconstruction and restoration project was funded by the Ministry of Justice and the second by the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications. The City of Belgrade and the City of Municipality of Zemun provided assistance in the implementation. The authors of the Zemun Fortress reconstruction and restoration project are architects of the Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, Ljiljana Konta and Rade Mrljes.

... and after. /Photo: Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments

At today's presentation of the completed works on the reconstruction of the fortress, the director of the Institute, Oliver Vuckovic, stressed that with its unquestionable tourist potential, the Zemun Fortress has been one of the earliest identified cultural assets.

Vesic: This project shows how Belgrade changes when we work together

Deputy Mayor of Belgrade Goran Vesic today toured the rampats of this medieval fortress.

"This is one of the projects that shows how Belgrade changes when we work together. The funds were provided by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications, with 12 million dinars each, and the City of Belgrade with 10 million. Historic buildings in Belgrade, such as this fortress, are important for the development of tourism not only of Belgrade but also of the Republic of Serbia, and therefore we are working together to restore them," Vesic said, adding that the restoration of all four towers has also been completed by the Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.

Photo: Belgrade City Assembly

He specified that the City of Belgrade previously restored a large staircase leading up to the tower and that installation of decorative lighting is under way.

"We are going to start the project to restore the Millennium Tower, and currently the Belgrade City Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments is completing a project regarding the cemetery fence, which in itself is a historical monument and a part of this protected nucleus. In addition, the surrounding streets are slowly being restored, and so our jewel Gardos is now returning to its purpose, which is not only tourism but also education, so that the younger generations can learn about the history of our city," said the Deputy Mayor.

Vesic pointed out that the ramparts of this medieval fortress, dating from the 15th century, have now been properly restored for the first time since it was built. He also thanked the municipality and the citizens of Zemun for the initiative and reiterated that with the joint work of the municipality, the Republic and the City of Belgrade, our city is changing and developing, but at the same time, its cultural heritage is being restored.

(Telegraf.rs)