ARCHITECTURAL VISIONS AND ENCHANCEMENT OF TOURISM OFFER: BELGRADE FORTRESS

Abstract

Historic towns and their fortresses represent attractive tourist destinations. Cultural tourism in such areas records constant growth, especially when fortresses are located within large urban centers. Fortresses, as important historical sites, are often a subject to various urban plans and projects, aiming at their physical improvement, proper use and better management of cultural resources. The subject of this study is to present the proposals for reconstruction and revitalisation of fortresses, taking the Belgrade Fortress as case study. Based on several architectural and urban-planning ideas proposed during the 20th century for the space of the Belgrade Fortress, the paper will discuss how these visions and solutions have contributed to increase of the attractiveness of this cultural heritage. The Belgrade Fortress complex was first placed under protection in 1946, followed by its declaration for a cultural monument in 1956, issued by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the City of Belgrade. Today, the Belgrade Fortress with Kalemegdan Park is a historic complex enjoying the highest level of heritage protection as a cultural property of outstanding national significance. There were numerous plans for reconstructions and revitalisation of Belgrade fortress and Kalemegdan area. In 1969, a detailed master plan for the Kalemegdan area was developed with long term perspective of the heritage protection. With a view to upgrading Belgrade’s tourism and cultural offer, a priority item on the heritage protection and planning services in the area is generally in accordance with its historical importance and current social needs. The high quality of heritage assets, accumulated in a relatively small area of Belgrade fortress, attracts a large number of tourists every year. However, Belgrade fortresses encounter some problems in sustainable development and proper management, which were partially overcome by the establisment of the strong manageing body Public Company „Belgrade Fortress“ in 2002. A visit to historical locations is considered as cultural aspect of tourism. It arises from strong cultural needs of visitors, and relies on their high educational, experiential and visual requirements and expectations. Therefore there is a need for designing high quality tourist offer and a variety of tourist facilities and programmes. Since the historic sites in Serbia is currently in unfavourable situation, dealing with a number of problems in terms of conservation, protection and revitalization, development plans point out the potentials and solutions which can be found in affirmation of tourism. This paper aims to present historical conceptual designs for spatial planning of the Belgrade Fortress, as well as various principles in conservation, protection, improvement and use of fortress as public space, with a special focus on their cultural and tourist significance.