Belgrade, Serbia

In blazing heat, even at 8:30 in the morning, we left the ship to tour Belgrade. First on the agenda was the fortress...my school history lessons did not include Serbia, so I was surprised to hear that the country was liberated from 500 years of Turkish rule only in 1867, a year simple to remember because of its importance in Canadian history. The fort was peaceful in the morning, full of dogs, with or without their minders, and the view included both the Danube and the Sava Rivers that meet here, as well as New Belgrade on the other side. Bibi is lounging at the top.
Belgrade is city of 2 million, astonishing for its architecture, cosmopolitain population, and no shortage of high end shops to cater to them. Apparently also full of corruption. Sidewalk cafes, sculptures, museums (the National Museum

holds an incredible collection of paintings, including 50 Renoirs....unfortunately closed for renovation)...


Street art.....

Final stop, St Sava,s church...the largest orthodox church outside Russia...being built with donations only, truly the people s church. Completely unfinished, since the entire inside is to be in mosaic....a glorious start and likely to remain so for many years.

Outside a Romani family.....