Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Today population of the Belgrade metropolitan area is 1.68 million.
History
The first farming people to settle in the region are associated with the Neolithic Starčevo culture in the 6-7th millennium BC. One of the most important prehistoric cultures in Europe, the Vinča culture, evolved within the Belgrade area and is best known for the earliest known copper metallurgy in Europe and a proto-writing. Evidence of early knowledge of Belgrade’s geographical location can be found in a variety of ancient myths and legends. The ridge overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers is described in the epic poem of Jason and the Argonauts. It was inhabited by Thraco-Dacians and Celts and later conquered by the Romans and in the 6th century by the Slavs.
Belgrade served as the capital of the medieval Serbian Despotate and evolved into one of the most strategically important cities during the Ottoman–Habsburg wars. The city has been battled more than 100 times and besieged many times over centuries. Belgrade has become the development and cultural center of Southeast Europe, hosting numerous international events. It also is home to the University Clinical Centre of Serbia, one of the hospital complexes with the largest capacity in the world, the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox church buildings, as well as residence of a novelist Ivo Andrić, Nobel laureate, and Novak Đoković, the greatest tennis player of all time.
Culture & Science
Belgrade has a lot of nationally important arts and scientific institutions: the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (founded in 1886), the National Library of Serbia (1832), the National Museum of Serbia (1844), the National Theatre (1869), and the University of Belgrade (1905; as Grande école in 1808). The most famous museums in Belgrade are: the Historical Museum of Serbia, Ethnographic Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Nikola Tesla Museum, Museum of Vuk and Dositej, Museum of Yugoslavia, Military Museum.
Language
The official language is Serbian. The official alphabets are Cyrillic and Latin. Many people in Serbia, especially congress staff and participants, are fluent in English.
Currency
The official currency of the country is the Serbian Dinar (RSD). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at exchange offices and banks.
Time zone
Belgrade and Serbia are in the CET (Central European Time) zone – UTC+1.
In summer the Daylight Saving Time (DST) moves it to CEST – UTC+2.
Climate & Weather
Belgrade has a moderate continental climate, with four seasons and uniformly spread precipitation. Take a look at the weather forecast for the week of Congress here.
Water
Tap water in Belgrade is safe to drink. In addition, many bottled water brands offer regular, mildly carbonated, or highly carbonated water.
Working hours
Most shops and grocery stores work usually from 8 AM to 9 or 10 PM, but there are others that work 24h. Large shopping malls are open from 10am until 10 PM on business days and weekends too. Banks and offices have standard 9 AM to 5 PM working hours. Most of them have ATMs (cash machines).
Emergency
In case of emergencies during the Congress, please contact the staff at the registration desk. In case of emergencies in the hotel, please contact your hotel reception for first aid service.
Police Department: 192
Fire Department: 193
Medical emergencies: 194