Singidunum had Kalemegdan, while Taurunum had Gardos: Do you know what this name means?

Photo: Tanjug/Dragan Kujundzic

One of the most beautiful views of Belgrade can be seen from the tower of Sibinjanin Janko in Zemun. The famous Gardos Tower is also one of the symbols of Zemun.

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Regardless of how many times you visit it, it will not be enough to fully enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city.

The Roman Taurunum

Although many call the tower Gardos, it is actually the name of the hillock itself. Even during the Roman settlement of Taurunum, which was located in the area of ​​today's Zemun, there was an elevation in the immediate vicinity of the settlement. Together with Kalvarija and Cukovac, Gardos formed the ancient Taurunum.

Research has been conducted about the origin of the name, and it was linked with the Slavic term for "city" ("grad"), which was later modified and received the "os" suffix - during the Hungarian rule of this area.

There is another interpretation. According to it, the term Gardos refers to a cemetery. This assumption is also taken into account mostly because material remains, i.e., graves, have been found in the area of ​​Gardos, which are believed to date back to the period of the Celtic rule.

The Millennium Tower

Photo: City Assembly

Celebrating a thousand years of rule in this area, Hungary decided to build seven symbols of that rule. And since the Gardos hillock, that is, the area of ​​today's Zemun, was the southernmost point of the empire, a symbol was placed in that area as well.

The construction of the Millennium Tower lasted from August 5, 1896 until August 20 of the same year.

The reason why Hungary decided to symbolically place seven monuments in the territory of its then empire was that the monarchy was created by merging just as many tribes.

What does Sibinjanin Janko have to do with the tower?

Printscreen: Youtube/Prljave Ruke

You will often hear from many Zemun locals that it this is actually the tower of Sibinjanin Janko, aka, Janos Hunyadi.

He participated in the defense of Belgrade from the Turks in 1456.

It is not known why this tower is often said to be named after him. Maybe because he died there, only three weeks after participating in the greatest victory of Christians over Turkish occupiers.

And whatever its name stems from, don’t miss climbing the winding stairs leading to the lookout, and enjoying the view.

(Aleksandra Blazevic/Telegraf.rs)