<<

Between Crescent and Cross

>>

<<

>>

Period of Wars

Belgrade came under Ottoman Turkish rule on 28th August 1521 during Suleiman the Magnificent period. It remained in the Ottoman state, apart from short periods of Austrian rule, until the 19th century as part of administration subdivision of Sanjak of Smederevo or Pashaluk of Belgrade. During this period Belgrade had, besides Budim, the largest armoury warehouse in European part of Turkey. Townspeople, comprising of Serbs, Turks, Jews, Armenians, Gipsies, people of Dubrovnik, and others, dealt mainly in fishing, farming, trade and crafts. The city was adorned by towers, churches, mosques and inns (caravan saraj). Muslim faith had great influence on all parts of daily life.

  • Panorama and war scene of Siege of Belgrade in 1521, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.
    Panorama and war scene of Siege of Belgrade in 1521, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.
  • Dialogue between an Ottoman Turk and a Christian on military-political situation, second half of 16th century, IAB, OZ.
    Dialogue between an Ottoman Turk and a Christian on military-political situation, second half of 16th century, IAB, OZ.

A Dialogue Between an Ottoman Turk and a Christian:

“If Austria does not demand peace, an English King could intercede with the Emperor. How many times he has been ready to appease both sides.”

A christian answers:

“The English King shall confer about this question with the Emperor, of whom he knows, is devoted to him and benevolent.”

  • The Book of Fetvas, IAB, OZ
    The Book of Fetvas, IAB, OZ
  • Defterdar’s mosque, Belgrade, 1876, IAB, Zf
    Defterdar’s mosque, Belgrade, 1876, IAB, Zf

The Battle of Eugene of Savoy

Following the advice of Eugene of Savoy Austria re-entered war with Turkey in 1716. After conquering Timișoara, (today in Romania) and Petrovaradin (today in Serbia), Belgrade presented the next strategic point. Never before or after had such a large number of generals, soldiers of various nationalities, and princes from all known European ruling houses assembled at the same time in Belgrade. They all wanted to witness the great battle, headed by the greatest and most renowned army leader of the time. Contrary to military tactics of the time, Eugene of Savoy led his army across the river Danube, instead of Sava, which was a great surprise for the Turks.

  • A detailed map of Belgrade, Timișoara and Petrovaradin during the battle between Austria and Ottoman Empire, 5th August 1716, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.
    A detailed map of Belgrade, Timișoara and Petrovaradin during the battle between Austria and Ottoman Empire, 5th August 1716, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.
  • A battle plan in front of the gates of Belgrade, 16th August 1717, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.
    A battle plan in front of the gates of Belgrade, 16th August 1717, copper engraving, IAB, ZŠT.

Two Cities - Two Empires

Byzantine writer Ioannis Cinnami wrote that destinies of Belgrade and Zemun were connected: being demolished in turn, the ruins of one city served for the building of another, like in a wheel of fortune. Battles between Austria and Turkey in the area have set destinies of the two cities in advance. After the Peace of Svištov of 1791 numerous families moved from Belgrade to Zemun, which, mostly in trading sense, took over the role of Belgrade.

  • Panorama of Zemun, second half of the 19th century, IAB, ZŠT
    Panorama of Zemun, second half of the 19th century, IAB, ZŠT
  • A list of Serbian families, who applied to move to Zemun after the Treaty of Svištov, 1791, IAB, ZM.
    A list of Serbian families, who applied to move to Zemun after the Treaty of Svištov, 1791, IAB, ZM.

Military Frontier

Serbs, who fled from their enslaved country, continued to fight the Turks in the Croatian Military Border, established by Austrian rulers in the 16th century. The life of border guards took place on eternal battleground.

  • A design of two enclosed guardhouse porches, IAB, ZPM.
    A design of two enclosed guardhouse porches, IAB, ZPM.
  • Design of a church in the border town Farkaždin, IAB, ZPM.
    Design of a church in the border town Farkaždin, IAB, ZPM.

Enlightenment

After Emperor Joseph II’s reforms, philosophical criticism of reality found an expression in culture as well as praise for importance of science and knowledge. In accordance with these convictions, instructions for schools were adopted. An astronomer from observatory in Budim Danijel Bogdanić arrived to Zemun, carrying out numerous astrological measures in 1799. This transition period was personified above all by Dositej Obradović (1742–1811), the first Serbian rationalist, founder of the Great School (Velika škola) in 1808, and Seminary (1810), minister of education. Jovan Muškatirović, Serbia’s first lawyer, Atanasije Stojković, founder of the first physics and а novelist, Pavle Solarić, а philosopher, philologist, historian, geographer and Joakim Vujić, father of the Serbian theatre followed in his path.

  • Instructions issued by Brigade Commission from Vinkovci on educational methods, advancement of education, teachers’ profile, religious instruction, instructions for young men from the border regions in farming above all, Zemun, 1790, IAB, ZM.
    Instructions issued by Brigade Commission from Vinkovci on educational methods, advancement of education, teachers’ profile, religious instruction, instructions for young men from the border regions in farming above all, Zemun, 1790, IAB, ZM.
  • Report of the military command to the town hall in Zemun on the arrival of astronomer Danijel Bogdanović from Budim observatory to Zemun, 1799, IAB, ZM.
    Report of the military command to the town hall in Zemun on the arrival of astronomer Danijel Bogdanović from Budim observatory to Zemun, 1799, IAB, ZM.
  • Dositej Obradović, lithography, IAB, ZŠT.
    Dositej Obradović, lithography, IAB, ZŠT.

<<

>>