August 1 – Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia and is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers.  The Sava River is one of the major tributaries of the Danube. 

We opted for the city tour this morning.  The drive took us by a number of sights (plus generic buildings) as the guide gave a running commentary. 

First stop was the St. Sava Orthodox Cathedral.  It is dedicated to St. Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the church is the largest orthodox church complex in the world.  Construction was started in 1935 but construction stopped during World War II and the Communist era.  The communist government only gave their permission to restart the work in 1984.   The Cathedral dominates the Belgrade skyline.

We only visited the crypt or basement as only it and the exterior have been completed.  The murals and the entire area was magnificent…with 25 karat gold used on the murals.  All work is being funded by private donations.

Second stop was for some free time walking around the center of Belgrade.

Then it was off to the Kalemegdan Fortress.  Much of the walls are intact but most of the interior buildings are gone.  The fortress has undergone continuous battles throughout the two millennium of its existence but most of the damage was done during World War I and II.

There great views from the fortress of the city and the surrounding rivers.

We got back to the boat just in time for the skies to open up (again).  

It rained heavily throughout lunch.  After lunch they called everyone into the lounge for an announcement.  Apparently central Europe (Austria, Germany, etc.) is undergoing a prolonged drought and the Danube water level is steadily dropping.  Most of the river is still navigable but there is an area down river from Budapest that is somewhat shallow and the river bed is rock.  If the river drops too much we will not be able to make it through that area as it cannot be towed due to the rock damaging the bottom of the boat.  So we must get to Budapest as soon as possible.

So we are leaving early tonight and will not be making several of the stops.  Stops we will be missing are Novi Sad, Serbia; Ilok, Croatia; and Mohacs, Hungary.  Too bad but that is better than damaging the boat or missing the last portion of our trip totally.

We spent the afternoon working, Mary on the blog and Paul on his hearing aids…the maintenance of which seems to have degenerated into a full time hobby.