Monument of Gratitude to France

On 11 November 1930, the 12th anniversary day of the end of the First World War, a memorial of gratitude to France in Belgrade’s Veliki Kalemegdan Park was formally unveiled in the presence of King Alexander and Queen Maria, the royal government, the delegation of the French government, Serbian war veterans, distinguished citizens, associations, schools, and a large crowd of people.

In the decisive days of the war after the epic battles of the Serbian Army, its perilous withdrawal across Albania and the almost inconceivable feat of breaching the enemy lines on the Salonika (Macedonian) Front, a military alliance and friendship between two countries had been forged. After the war, Serbian intellectuals gathered around the Association of French Schools Alumni and the Society of Friends of France initiated erection, in Belgrade or Paris, of a monument to France, as a token of gratitude for her military and educational aid during and after the war, and of the friendship built in the days of greatest trials. In 1924 the Committee for Erecting a Monument chaired by Niko Miljani? (1892–1957), a physician, one of the founders of the Belgrade University School of Medicine, was set up. The Committee succeeded in raising considerable funds within a short span of time. Of relevance to the history of the monument is also the year 1921, when Belgrade City Council made the decision to erect a gratitude and honor memorial to the French soldiers who had lost their lives defending Belgrade in 1915.

After the war, the Kingdom of Serbia ceased existing as such, becoming part of a newly created complex state, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, subsequently Yugoslavia, and Belgrade, as its capital, saw a period of reconstruction and embellishment. In 1928, the City Council of Belgrade allocated a parcel of land in Kalemegdan, formerly possessed by the Army, for the monument: “in the most beautiful part of Kalemegdan Park, which commands one of the most beautiful European landscapes, and in the vicinity of which the home of France will be rising soon” (the French embassy built in 1928–32). France responded to this gesture by setting up monuments to King Peter I the Liberator and King Alexander I the Unifier in Paris, memorials in Orleans and Marseilles, and by naming one of central Paris avenues after King Peter I of Serbia.

The design of the monument was entrusted to the world renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic , who made a model in his Zagreb studio . The sculpture was cast in fourteen pieces at the Art Foundry of the Academy of Fine Arts using the lost wax technique. The pieces were joined to form two halves of the vertically divided sculpture, transported to Belgrade and assembled together on the site. The monumental figure, over four meters tall, represents France rushing to Serbia’s aid. The expressive movement of the allegorical female figure, an important motif in Mestrovic’s sculptural work, evokes and glorifies the national spirit of France, suggesting energy, leadership, courage and faith.

Engraved on its front are the year of erection and the dedication “A la France”, and on the back, the inscription “We love France as she loved us 1914–1918”.

Monument of Gratitude to France
Monument of Gratitude to France
Monument of Gratitude to France
Monument of Gratitude to France
Monument of Gratitude to France
Monument of Gratitude to France

Military Museum, Belgrade

The Military Museum  in Belgrade was founded in 1878. The museum has over 3000 ancient and modern items. These include Roman swords and helmets, Greek helmets and daggers, Serbian heavy knight’s armor, axes, shields, helmets, crossbows, armored gloves, as well as Western medieval weapons. There are also more modern guns, firearms, and elements of soldier’s uniforms and equipment. Dioramas, plaques, and displays illustrate the use and historical context of the museum’s collection. It was founded by the Decree of Prince Milan Obrenovi? IV on August 22, 1878 on preposition of Minister of the Army, colonel Sava Gruji?.

The first permanent display was opened in 1904, coinciding with the 100th Anniversary of the Serbian Revolution and as a part of King Petar`s Coronation Ceremonies. Soon after its foundation, the Museum entered Europe by participating in the Balkan Expo in London in 1907. There, with around 100 carefully chosen objects, the Museum attracted the attention of the London public and it was described in local newspapers. The Museum’s building was destroyed by Austro-Hungarian forces during the First World War, and countless priceless collections were destroyed or were seized. Again, more than two decades had past before the new Display opened. King Alexandar I Karadjordjevi? issued a Decree of Founding the Military Museum in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Brigadier Vojislav Vukovi?, major of Royal Court, became the director of the Museum. The Systematical collecting of objects started and numerous donors, former soldiers and their descendants responded. Their names were signed in a special “Golden Book”, the work of famous Russian artist Vsevolod Guljevi?. The book is still kept in the Military Museum. A new, permanent Display was opened in 1937 in two buildings of which one is today a residence of City Bureau for the Preservation of Monuments.

During the Second World War, the collections suffered new devastation. However, according to the program of occupation troops, some cultural institutions with Military Museums among them continued their work during the occupation. The collecting of objects and their preservation was the main responsibility of the museum staff. The Allied bombing of Belgrade in 1944 brought new destruction of the museum buildings and collections. Inside the museum’s main building, the exhibits are found in a single long hall progressing from ancient through medieval and then towards modern. All exhibits are labeled in the Serbian Language in both Cyrillic and Latin, as well as English. Outside the museum’s main building, there are numerous tanks, howitzers, and armored cars of many types. Some were acquired during World War II, when they were captured by the Red Army and Yugoslav Partisans from retreating Nazi and Axis forces (Belgrade Offensive). These decommissioned tanks and artillery pieces line the walls and paths leading into the Military Museum from two directions. Recent exhibits address NATO actions against Serbia in 1999, including the controversial use of cluster bombs, depleted uranium, and graphite bombs, some of which are claimed to be in violation of international law. A well-known exhibit features parts of a US F-117 stealth aircraft which was downed by a Serbian S-125 Neva/Pechora. The Military Museum is located inside the walls of the historic Belgrade Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The Belgrade Fortress is located within a popular park known as the Kalemegdan Park, near the center of the city.

Military Museum, Belgrade
Military Museum, Belgrade
Military Museum, Belgrade

Great view from Avala Tower

The Avala Tower is a 204.5 m (671 ft) tall telecommunication tower located on Avala mountain in the periphery of Belgrade. The original tower was finished in 1965, but was destroyed by the NATO bombardment of Serbia on 29 April 1999. On 21 December 2006, the reconstruction of Avala Tower commenced and the tower was officially opened at a ceremony on 21 April 2010. It is currently the tallest tower in the Balkan region.

The views from the monument and the tower are tremendous. The views from the top of the tower itself are really great.

avalski-toranj-02

The tower was designed by architects Uglješa Bogdanovi? and Slobodan Janji?, and engineer Milan Krsti?. Construction started on 14 October 1961 and was completed four years later in 1965. The tower weighed 4,000 tonnes (3,900 long tons; 4,400 short tons). Between 102 m (335 ft) and 135 m (443 ft), there was an enclosed observation deck. It was the only tower in the world to have an equilateral triangle as its cross section, and one of very few towers not perched directly into the ground, but standing on its legs. The legs formed a tripod, the symbol of Serbian tripod chair. It is one of the small number of towers to be constructed in that manner.

avalski-toranj-04
The Avala Tower was destroyed on 29 April 1999 by NATO bombardment. The Avala Tower was a symbol of pride and a famous landmark, not only of Belgrade and Serbia, but of the former Yugoslavia too. The tower was one of the last buildings to be destroyed before the end of the NATO operation. A special bomb was used to destroy the tower.
In 2004, Radio Television Serbia commenced a series of fund-raising events in order to collect money to construct the building once again at the same place it was destroyed.

In 2005, clearing of the site where the tower was destroyed began and on 21 December 2006 the construction of a new Avala Tower commenced. The opening date was 29 April 2009, the tenth anniversary of its destruction.

Radovanovi? Winery – In The Heart of Šumadija

In 1990, in the well preserved vineyard of his grandfather’s, in Krnjevo, the heart of Šumadija, Miodrag Mija Radovanovi? established Podrum Radovanovi?, the first Serbian privately owned winery striving to make high quality wines. When it was established, the winery was the first small private winery in Serbia.

“We had only one goal, which was to produce high quality wine that would bring Serbian viticulture closer to global standards. We are still on the same path, in search for the best wine that one day would place Šumadija, and the whole of Serbia, on the top of global viticulture.”

Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija

The origins of wine story for Radovanovi? family from Krnjevo, near Velika Plana go back to early 20th century, when Miloš Radovanovi? planted his first vineyards. The current chapter of Podrum Radovanovi? started in 1990 when Miodrag Radovanovi? decided to restore his grandfather’s estate and plant his first vine. The Rhein Riesling is still where it has always been, growing together with our winery for the past twenty five years.

The tiles in this mosaic have been carefully stacked, so that today Podrum Radovanovi? is one of the most renowned private wineries in Serbia, and beyond, which produces high quality wines.

Southeastern exposition of the vineyards planted in white varieties and southwestern orientation of the plots with red varieties enable good exposition of grapes to the sun, which, together with specific and favorable geological and climate characteristics of this area provide excellent conditions for a proper and healthy growth of the vine, as well as for good ripening of grapes. The result is a high percentage of sugar in the grapes, in some years even up to 25-26%, which is an extraordinary potential for the creation of strong, complex wines with distinctive character.

Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija

Specific soil structure, with a combination of various soil types – loam, clay, shale and lime – provides a base where, in line with moderate geological and climate parameters, we are building a unique terroir whose characteristics is truly reflected in our wines.

Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija

Nature in this region is very kind to grapes, and by timely harvest, by seizing a balance between technological and biological ripeness of the grapes, we are trying to preserve the best of what it gives us. The same principle is applied in 25 hectares of our cooperative vineyards.

Miodrag Radovanovi? has imprinted thirty years of experience as an oenologist and the knowledge base gained at the University of Belgrade into all our wines, making them distinctive and authentic.

As one of the best and most experienced Serbian viticulturists, he knew how to combine the abundance of nature and serious and systematic work, first in the vineyard, and then in the cellar as well.

“In our case, the primary and only goal of using modern technology is to preserve what grapes give us when it is harvested and to create a distinct link between its best characteristics and those reflected in our wines.”

Along with the production part of the winery, featuring state of the art equipment that enables us to apply the latest information in oenology, we are especially proud of the part of our cellar where, as in a type of art workshop, we keep our highest quality wines in baroque barrels made of French, American and Serbian oaks.

Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija
Radovanovi? Winery - In The Heart of Šumadija

Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD

The summer of 2016 will stay in our memories for a long time because of 2 great events: Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and BIOCAD conference that took place in Belgrade. We can say that we were “very involved” about the second one and we are very proud about that!

We are very pleased to have a client such as BIOCAD. BIOCAD is Russia’s leading innovative biotechnology company; it combines a world-class research and development center, ultra-modern pharmaceutical and biotechnological manufacturing facilities, as well as preclinical and clinical research infrastructure compliant with international standards.

Hotel Hyatt Regency 5* was a good choice for this conference since it is one of the best hotels in Belgrade and it can provide such a service for highly demanding clients.  Beside the official program of the conference our client had some time to meet the Capital of Serbia and to enjoy its spirit.

Since BIOCAD is Russia’s leading innovative biotechnology company we had to organize Gala dinner that will fulfill their expectations. For that occasion we have choose Royal Compound as option no.1 for occasion like this one. We have also organized a short tour through the Royal Compound, before the dinner, since it was unique opportunity to represent a piece of Serbian history to our guest. Our friends from music band Belgrade Acoustic Orchestra were on a mission to entertain people from BIOCAD company, and just a quick look on their smiling  faces told us – mission accomplished .

Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD
Summer, Belgrade, BIOCAD

Ada Ciganlija – Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities

Ada Ciganlija, colloquially shortened to Ada, is a river island that has artificially been turned into a peninsula, located in the Sava River’s course through central Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The name can also refer to the adjoining artificial Lake Sava and its beach. To take advantage of its central location, over the past few decades, it was turned into an immensely popular recreational zone, most notable for its beaches and sports facilities, which, during summer seasons, can have over 100,000 visitors daily  and up to 300,000 visitors over the weekend.

Owing to this popularity, Ada Ciganlija has been commonly nicknamed “Belgrade’s Sea” 

Ada Ciganlija has a unique ecosystem, creating an oasis in the urban area. Most of the peninsula is forested. The original, thick deciduous forest mainly consists of oaks, elms, birches and willows.

The island has been conceptualized as Belgrade’s focal point for mass sporting activity and recreation, such as great for team building activities. So, it features a great number of facilities, which get more numerous every year. They include: tennis courts, bike paths, volleyball courts, beach volleyball courts, soccer fields, skateboarding ramps and rollerskating paths, basketball courts, a paintball field, baseball fields, rugby fields, kayaking facilities, an artificial rock climbing wall,  water slides, rowing facilities, diving range, bungee jumping platform, trim trail, fishing facilities, cable skiing facilities, canoeing facilities, water polo courts, pedalos, zip line and a golf course.

Ada Ciganlija has in the past been a host to a number of local and international water sporting events such as competitions in rowing and kayaking. The very first golf course in Serbia has been built on this island in recent years along with a golf club house, a golfing store, golfing school and a practice range. This golf course is also the seat of the first and so far only Serbian golfing association.

Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities
Ada Ciganlija - Great Place for Team Building and Sport Activities

Tavern Question Mark “?”

Did you know Tavern “?” was built in 1823 as a property of Miloš Obrenovi? I, Prince of Serbia, designed by an unnamed Greek architect. It was first used by Macedonian diplomat and merchant Naum I?ko, after which Prince Miloš gave it to his personal doctor Toma Kosti? known as E?im Toma (e?im is a Turkish word for doctor) for his efforts during the Second Serbian Uprising.

Realizing its favorable location, E?im Toma soon converted it into a tavern that was known around town as” E?im Toma’s tavern”. During the early 1830s the tavern (Serbian “kafana”) was frequented by famous Serbian linguist and language reformer Vuk Stefanovi? Karadži?.

In 1878 its name was changed to “Kod pastira” (Shepherd’s). It got its present unusual name in 1892, during a dispute with the Serbian Orthodox Church authorities over the owner’s intention to change its name to “Kod Saborne crkve” ( Next to Belgrade Cathedral ), to which the church authorities vehemently protested, not wanting to see a cathedral’s name in the name of a tavern. So, as a temporary solution, the tavern’s owner put a question mark on the door, and it soon became the official name of the place. For a while, out of respect for the church, smoking was prohibited inside the tavern, but this didn’t last.

Today, you can enjoy in the authentic ambience of this XIX century restaurant, its music program and national food and drinks that are prepared in a traditional way.

Tavern “?” is located in the heart of Belgrade. Its atmosphere and its charm make it an iconic gathering place for Serbian bohemians. The offer of the restaurant includes the specialties of national cuisine and excellent drinks that are simply irresistible.

Tavern Question Mark “?”
Tavern Question Mark “?”
Tavern Question Mark “?”
Tavern Question Mark “?”
Tavern Question Mark “?”
Tavern Question Mark “?”

Belgrade Spring

During the month of April Talas S was a host to the group from Holland Company MCX.

The group was greeted by a girl in national costume, with bread and salt, in Serbian traditional way.

Since we always try to be creative in our services, this time we have decided to organize transfer from the airport to the city center by vintage bus. Bus is 80 years old and so is the driver Branko, also known as Grandpa Branko.

On the way to the city center, the group didn’t mind to pick up ‘gipsy-hitchhiker-band’ so we had mini concert on the bus and enjoyed in the sound of Serbian trumpet! 🙂

Since the group was four days in Belgrade, we had the opportunity to experience different pleasures in Serbia.  The group has enjoyed in walk on Belgrade’s Fortress – Kalemegdan and a coffee in oldest tavern in Belgrade called ‘?’. There is no better place than Skadarlija – Bohemian quarter to experience local specialties and feel the vivid atmosphere of Serbian capital. The evening was continued at Savamala district where the guests had the chance to mingle with locals, and feel Belgrade’s night life at its best.

Orienteering at Fruška Gora with barbeque after it can have a big influence on the team spirit, and our guests had an opportunity to experience that. Nice weather, fresh air, cold beverage and famous Serbian barbeque.

We all know that from time to time you just need to relax, and for that occasion we have prepared a boat ride on rivers Sava and Danube.  After the ride we just ‘hop’ to the fish restaurant – directly from the boats. Since that day was ‘relax day’ we choose fish soup and mixed fish specialty for the lunch.

We were very happy that MCX choose us to be their DMC and we gave our best to be a good host.

MCX April 2016, Talas S DMC, Belgrade Serbia

Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring
Belgrade Spring

Let us be your DMC !

Talas Serbia DMC in Russia

Talas Serbia DMC in Russia

Talas Serbia DMC in Russia – Sales Calls February 2015!

Talas-S DMC representatives were in Moscow, Russia for sales calls from 16 to 20 February. The activity was organized in cooperation with Destico, our representative agency for the Russian market.

On this occasion, 25 meetings were held with some of the largest Russian agencies in MICE tourism: Travel Trophy, Demlink, BSI, UTS, Maximice, Unifest, Continent Express, Aeroclub, Zelenski, HRG, Upjet, and other…

We were pleased to see that interest in the markets of Serbia is still high, despite the current unfavorable political and economic situation in the Russian market. Main advantages of our destinations are excellent flight connections with Moscow, convenience for Russian citizens to travel to our countries without visa, and of course the prices that, despite the weakening of the ruble, are still favorable compared to other European destinations.

We hope that the Russian market, when it comes to MICE tourism will continue to show demand for destinations such as Serbia.

Also, on this occasion we presented our sister company “DT Croatia – Dubrovnik Travel DMC”, from Dubrovnik, which has local branch offices Split & Zagreb. Recently DT Croatia has an office in Ljubljana, Slovenia as well. This means that our clients will be able to get in one place all the necessary services for organizing a successful event, with the same quality of service in all mentioned destinations. MICE professionals had successful meetings with Talas Serbia DMC in Russia.

MICE Workshop France

MICE Workshop France

Talas-S Annual „SB Mice Consulting“ MICE Workshop France

Talas Serbia DMC will attend the annual „SB Mice Consulting“ workshop, which will take place on Thursday, March 5th, in Paris, France. SB Mice Consulting will privatise a special event venue for this occasion, in the heart of Paris.

There will be 11 renowned DMCs from all over the world, representing 20 different destinations. In a cosy atmosphere followed with cocktails and animation, they will present news from their respective destinations, ongoing and incoming projects, new ideas, to more than a hundred MICE industry professionals from France.

We expect this MICE Workshop France to be very successful, and that we will assure our current and potential clients, Talas-S as a modern DMC, follows the latest incentive trends and, continues to offer top quality services in Serbia.

Talas Serbia DMC are already recognized in the French market as a reliable and professional Destination Management Company, and we hope that this workshop will be one more opportunity to expand further cooperation with new partners in France and reveal charms of the unique MICE destination of Serbia!