Fetislam Fortress, Kladovo(Serbia)

There is no denying that Serbia places a higher value on its historical heritage compared to us Romanians, evident in the well-preserved artifacts and historic sites scattered throughout the country. Although I haven't explored much of Serbia, it's worth noting that despite not being part of the EU, it boasts a more civilized atmosphere.

Today, I embarked on an unplanned afternoon escapade—well, I didn't really have a schedule to begin with. While enjoying a coffee, a couple of friends spontaneously decided to go for a motorcycle ride in Serbia. Personally, I'm not a fan of riding motorcycles, so I opted to accompany them in my car.

Our first stop was at a restaurant, where we indulged in some authentic pleskavica before taking a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Danube, eventually arriving at Fetislam Fortress in Kladovo. Although the fortress was closed to visitors, we were able to admire its exterior.

Despite its modest size, the fortress left a lasting impression, impeccably preserved and oozing with historical significance. It's moments like these that make me realize how far ahead the Serbians are in preserving their heritage. Admittedly, my knowledge of the site is limited, so I'll defer to Wikipedia for further insights.

Fetislam is a fortification situated a few kilometers upstream from the town of Kladovo, on the right bank of the Danube in Serbia.

The fortress is located on a settlement called Novigrad ("New Town"). With the erection of Fetislam the Turkish defense line towards Hungary was completed and this line was made of fortresses in Smederevo, Kulic, Ram, Golubac and Fetislam. The last one was composed from two parts: the Smaller and the Greater town.

The Smaller town was erected around 1524 as a starting point of Turkish assaults on Transylvania. During the Austro-Turkish wars (1716–1718 and 1737–1739) the Smaller Town acquires strategic importance, thus the Greater Town was erected around it. Later around 1818 the dirt-built ramparts were topped with curtain walls. After the last reconstruction Fetislam was turned into an artillery bastion. The whole complex of this fortress was surrounded with a still visible deep and wide trench, which used to be filled with water from a Danube's branch.

The Turkish garrison stayed up until 1867, when Fetislam was handed over to the Serbian prince Mihajlo Obrenović along with six other cities.
source

Upon entering the fortress area, one immediately notices the impeccable maintenance and meticulous attention to detail. Along the pathway leading to the site, there's a charming park, while on the left side, one can spot around five or six basketball courts and approximately three soccer fields.

The weather today was delightful, with temperatures reaching up to 17 degrees Celsius, albeit accompanied by a considerable amount of wind. Overall, it contributed to a pleasant Sunday experience. Despite spending around two hours in line at customs today, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

I hope you all had an equally fantastic day, and until next time, take care!

Thanks for your attention,
Adrian