Things that Go Boom: The Serbian Edition

“You’re going to Serbia for your honeymoon?” is the exact reaction we would receive from people. The reaction was usually served with a grimace and an attempt to ask why on earth?!? without actually saying “Why on Earth?!?” Between you and me, I think Serbia has been served a bad rap in the world, as if it’s some place to stay away from. Well, it’s about high time someone around these parts tried to fix that stereotype. Serbia has just as much history as any other European country on an itinerary. Its history stretches back centuries. There’s many interesting sites in Belgrade, but these are just two places with historical context, particularly ones that go boom.

Branko’s Bridge

The Bridge

At first glance, it’s just a bridge. But, at one time, the Branko’s Bridge, built in 1934, was very bridge-like. As is most bridges’ fate, it went boom. Ok, so that might not be most bridges’ fate, but it was blown up to keep Nazis from advancing in 1941. Unfortunately, Nazis were not only savvy in xenophobia, they were also fairly knowledgeable in rapidly rebuilding bridges for –you know– their xeno-y issues. Branko’s Bridge looks like a normal large street connecting people from Beograd to Novi Beograd. We searched for a plaque–something that could show the importance of this bridge in history–but, there was none. It’s so incredibly modest to think that a bridge existed in history (rebuilt time and time again, but still…) and yet it functions for cars and pedestrians.

Former Yugoslav Ministry of Defence

bombed by NATO

On May 7, 1999, NATO decided it was time to end a war and targeted the Yugoslav Ministry of Defence. It took a while to discover the building’s purpose, presumably because the architecture didn’t fit any Stalinist design. Nearly fifteen years later, the Ministry of Defence still lays in ruins. If I had to speculate, I think the Former Ministry is kept that way as a reminder to the world, to the people, to visitors, that war is hell and that civilians had to hide for almost three months as bombs dropped daily.

Now, It’s Your Turn!

The Ministry of Defence is located at Knez Milosa and Nemanjina in Belgrade.

So, the next time someone says “Why on Earth?!” remember, that place might actually be pretty cool. It might even have a few historical things to teach you, things that go boom. 

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