It is the third largest city in Serbia, after Belgrade and Novi Sad, situated on the river of Nišava, Niš is cultural, economic, administrative, business and university center of southeastern Serbia. Many geographers, travelers and historians called this city gateway between the East and West. Important geographical and strategic position of the town for centuries has determined the destiny of Niš. This region was inhabited by the Romans, Goths, Illyrians, Thracians, Celts, Huns…
Hometown of the great Emperor
In Roman times, Niš was a strong military fortress, where in 274. Was born one of the greatest rulers of the Roman Empire, Flavius Valerius Constantine, known as the emperor Constantine the Great. During his rule, Niš became an important economic, military and administrative center. Discovered early Christian basilicas and tombs (2-4. century), and Constantine’s recognition of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire (313. years) testify to the ancient Christian tradition of Niš. During the period from 6.th till 10.th of the century, Niš was attacked and occasionally hold by the Huns, Avars, Slavs, Bulgars and Magyars.
Most important historical monuments in Niš are: Mediana – a large property from the Roman period (4. century), Niš Fortress – Turkish fortress on the best preserved medieval Balkans built in 1723. which lies in its foundation remains of the Roman Naissus; Skull Tower; Čegar with a monument that is the site of the Battle of Stevan Sinđelić with the Turks; Monument to the Liberators of Niš – erected in 1937. in memory of the struggle for the liberation of Niš; camp “Red Cross” – a Nazi concentration camp; Drum Memorial Park – one of the largest execution in Serbia during World War II.
Geographically, Niš is located at the crossroads of the most important Balkan and European traffic routes. Niš is in the intersecting roads, one leading to the south of Europe, through the valley of the Vardar to Thessaloniki and Athens, and the other leading to the east, through Nišava and Marica valleys and towards Sofija, Istanbul and further on to the Middle East.