THE CAPITAL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN EUROPE: BELGRADE ON THE FRONTIER (SERHAD) CITY (1521-1789)

Abstract

Belgrade remained under the rule of many states, including Rome, Serbia, Hungary, and Bulgaria, until the Ottoman period. Since the city had long been an important crossroads, it was invaded many times. The fact that it was on the route to connect the Middle and West Europe with Asia Minor also played a key role in the invasion of Belgrade. Along with being on the way of important roads, Belgrade serves as a door for Europe. Known as the key to Europe, Belgrade could be conquered in 1521 by the Ottoman Empire although it was besieged many times. In the following years, Belgrade became one of the most strategic cities of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Further, the city in the position of Captaincy of Danube remained significant in terms of its military, strategical and economical aspects until it was out of the Ottoman Empire's hands. This study is concerned with the importance of the city to the Ottoman Empire coupled with its economic and military importance, primarily using Ottoman archival documents. Although considerable research has been devoted to this topic, rather less attention has been paid to the political importance of the Belgrade City to the Ottoman Empire in the Europe. To this end, the current study specifically attempts to examine this issue.