Fortresses on the Danube

In the past fortresses were the most important military objects which provided defense, safety of population, but also contributed to the military domination at a strategically important area. The coastline of the Danube had the greatest strategic significance in preserving the waterway which was the most important traffic artery of this part of Europe until the end of the 19^th century. Therefore the most significant as well as the most monumental fortresses were built exactly on the banks of the Danube. They are considered to be the most important monuments of military architecture. Fortresses were built by Serbian rulers as well as by Hungarian and Turkish monarchs because life and trade could be developed only on such safe locations. Out of twenty-one fortresses in Serbia, seven are situated on the banks of the Danube - Bac, Petrovaradin, Kalemegdan, Smederevo, Ram, Golubac and near the Romanian border, Fetislam.

Today fortresses, as cultural monuments, have a possibility of changing their purpose and positioning on the cultural map of Europe, what creates the space for the exchange of experience regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, as well as a possibility for economically sustainable investment needed for the revitalization and rehabilitation of monuments.

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For Kahena