Fetislam

Fetislam - Basic Information

Fetislam is a fortress located near Kladovo, which was built during the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the area of today's Serbia. It was built as a military base for further Ottoman conquests against Hungary.

History of the fortress
The fortification was built in 1524 by order of Suleiman the Magnificent. It consists of two fortifications, which are called the Small Fortress and the Great Fortress. And the name of the entire fortification, Fetislam, comes from the Turkish word meaning defender of the faith or victory of Islam. The small fortress was first built in the 16th century. After the hajduks destroyed it in one attack, it was abandoned for some time. However, an additional fortification, known as the Great Fortress, was built during the 18th century. During the 19th century, during the Serbian-Turkish battles, this complex was the subject of conquest, so it fell under the rule of Serbs and Turks alternately. It was finally liberated from Turkish rule in 1876. For Serbs, this fortress was called Svetislav.

Fetislam today
The whole complex spreads over 14 hectares. The large fortress consists of six bastions connected by ramparts, passages and drawbridges that cross the moat that surrounds it. Subsequently, during the 19th century, plaques were placed with inscriptions glorifying the then Sultan, Mahmut II. Inside, there are additional buildings, such as a warehouse, a mosque, a hammam, and others. The small fortress is located closer to the river bank. Remains of ramparts and three gates have been preserved to this day, as well as houses, streets, armory and other buildings.

What to see on the site
Some of the more important and better preserved buildings located on the site are:

The main gate
Amphitheater
Suleiman Khan Mosque
Bastions

How to get to the fortress
The fortress is located near Kladovo, along the banks of the Danube.

On foot: from the center of Kladovo you can reach the fortress in 20 minutes, starting from Ulica 22. septembra, route 35.
Car: arrives from Belgrade in 3 and a half hours, through Pozarevac, Golubac, Donji Milanovac and Tekija.
Taxi: Taxi Association in Kladovo: Taxi Rile 063 1742818; Taxi Potrčko 063 8029523; Taxi Vladus 063/84 31 833