A 15th-century artillery tower on the Danube bank of the fortress, later used as a prison, with an exhibition of Ottoman-era history and a river view.
The Nebojsa Tower stands on the Danube bank of Belgrade Fortress, in the Lower Town of Kalemegdan in the Stari Grad area of Belgrade, Serbia. Its name means fearless or daring, and it was raised in the mid-15th century as a gun tower guarding the river approach and the water gate. The tower served the Serbian despotate and then the Ottoman garrison, who used its lower floors as a prison and a place of execution. It is linked with the death in 1798 of Rigas Feraios, the Greek writer and revolutionary who was strangled here by Ottoman authorities after being handed over by Austria. Over the centuries the tower was damaged by bombardment and flooding, and a large part of the structure was rebuilt and consolidated in the 19th and 20th centuries. The masonry is a massive cylindrical form with thick walls, gun embrasures and a stone interior of narrow stairs and low vaulted rooms. Today the tower hosts a small exhibition about the history of the fortress and the Ottoman era, with panels and objects relating to the prison period and the political prisoners held there. A viewing platform at the top looks over the Danube and the New Belgrade bank. The tower is run by the Belgrade Fortress management together with the rest of the visitor facilities, and it keeps seasonal hours that follow the other towers. The approach from the Upper Town runs past the Defterdar Gate and the Lower Town terraces, a downhill walk of several minutes. The visit is short, usually about 30 minutes, and suits visitors who already know something of the fortress history. The staircases are narrow, so the number of people inside at one time is limited. Cannons and walls nearby help show how Danube defences were arranged, and the tower is one of the least crowded stops in the fortress.
| Admission | About 200 RSD (~$2) adult; about 100 RSD (~$1) reduced |
|---|---|
| Hours | Roughly 10:00-17:00 mid-October to mid-April; 11:00-19:00 mid-April to mid-October |
| Address | Kalemegdan Lower Town, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia |
Why it matters
The tower was built in the 1460s to defend the Danube side of Belgrade and later served the Ottomans as a dungeon, where the Greek revolutionary Rigas Feraios was killed in 1798. It is one of the best-preserved medieval gun towers of the fortress.
Location
Kalemegdan Lower Town, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
44.8236, 20.4460 View on map
Highlights
- Climb the cylindrical 15th-century gun tower on the Danube bank
- See the exhibition on Ottoman-era Belgrade and the prison period
- Learn about Rigas Feraios, killed here in 1798
- Look over the Danube from the top platform
Tips for visiting
- Entry is about 200 RSD for adults and about 100 RSD reduced.
- Plan 30 to 45 minutes and combine it with the Lower Town gates.
- Stairs are narrow and steep; wear flat shoes.
- Check seasonal hours, as the tower closes earlier in winter.
When to visit
Visit in the morning on a weekday for quiet rooms, or late afternoon for light over the Danube.
Accessibility
The tower has narrow stone stairs and uneven floors and is not accessible to wheelchair users. The approach from the Upper Town is a slope.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Nebojsa Tower?
The name means fearless or daring in Serbian. It refers to the defensive role of the tower, which guarded the river side of the fortress.
How long does a visit take?
A visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, including the exhibition and the top platform.
Is it good for children?
Older children may enjoy the stairs and river views. The narrow steps and drops make it less suitable for toddlers.