5 July 2022 - TITO'S BLUE TRAIN - SERBIA

 

 

TITO'S BLUE TRAIN

 - SERBIA -

G'day folks,

Ride in 1960s style on the private luxury train Marshal Josip Tito used to travel around Yugoslavia. 

In an unassuming railway depot south of Belgrade lies a relic of a forgotten era. Built in a time when Yugoslavia was recovering from the Second World War, this iconic blue train served to transport the country’s leaders around the different republics of Yugoslavia, and entertain foreign dignitaries so critical to the diplomatic success of the socialist nation.

The Blue Train, Marshal Josip Tito’s private train, was built with luxury in mind. Tito preferred to travel by rail, and as Yugoslavia became more prosperous in the years after the war, the train reflected the optimism and wealth of its primary user, if not that of the average citizen.

 

Custom-built coaches were decorated in a simple yet modern socialist realist style, with certain classical holdovers such as intricate mosaics and dark hardwood lining. The overall effect is one of understated power, which comes as no surprise considering some of the train’s clientele.

Used often by Tito for domestic purposes, the Blue Train also served an important diplomatic role. Its guest list is a veritable who’s-who of 1960s power players, from Queen Elizabeth to Charles de Gaulle to Yasser Arafat. It’s easy to imagine diplomats and party officials seated around the massive main dining table or crammed into the modernist, Zodiac-themed bar, as Tito sought to provide the world a path between the American-led West and the Soviet sphere of influence.

It’s still possible to enjoy the splendor of the Blue Train, which has been remarkably preserved in its original state.  If your pocketbook is big enough, you can do so as Tito did: for a hefty fee, the Serbian Railways will hook up the train for a trip on the spectacular Belgrade-Bar railway. The line is one of Tito’s biggest public works projects and one of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe; the 296-mile route between the Serbian capital and the Montenegro coast passes over 435 bridges and through 54 tunnels.

For those whose wallets aren’t quite as fat, it’s still possible to enjoy the Blue Train, and walk through the very same cars where Haile Selassie sat, Queen Elizabeth dined, and Josip Broz Tito slept.

 

24 December 2021 - THE VRATNA GATES IN SERBIA

 

THE VRATNA GATES

 IN SERBIA

G'day folks,

 These natural stone bridges are the largest on the European continent. 

Tucked away in mountainous regions of eastern Serbia, the Vratna river gorge hides an unusual natural phenomenon. The Vratna Gates are the largest natural stone bridges in Europe. These three gigantic rocks loom over the swerving forest stream.

Two of the stone bridges represent the remains of a former tunnel cave through which the Vratna river once flowed, while the third was created due to river sinkage.

The Small and Large Gates are located near the entrance to the gorge, not far from the Vratna monastery, which coined them the “Monastery Gates”.

 

The Small Gate is 49 feet (15 meters) long and more than 100-feet (34 meters) tall, while the Large Gate is 148 feet (45 meters) long and 85 feet (26 meters) tall. The last stone bridge the Dry Gate, is located deeper in the river gorge and is the youngest and the hardest to reach. It garnered its name because the river sinks underneath the gate. 

Vratna River Canyon is rich in flora and fauna, and is home to a vast array of herbaceous plants, countless species of birds, numerous bats, otters, badgers, mouflons, deers, and other animals. 

 

Clancy's comment: Stunning, eh?

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5 April 2020 - AMAZING GOLUBAC FORTRESS IN SERBIA

AMAZING GOLUBAC FORTRESS

 IN SERBIA

G'day folks,

This 14th century castle withstood years of battle but is now sliding off the hills into the Danube. 

 

Golubac Fortress is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. Yet the advent of modern technology has submerged some of the outer walls of this storied Serbian fortification, finally causing the decay of a powerful compound that survived years of war and battle.

 

Comprised of 10 different towers protecting three internal compounds, Golubac Fortress was a powerhouse guarding the Danube. Despite its formidable structure, it changed hands many times throughout its existence, but even war and constant attack could not destroy the thick stone walls. Unfortunately, the only thing strong enough to begin the death of Golubac was modern technology.

In 1964, a hydroelectric dam on the Danube caused flooding along its shores. The rising water levels eventually submerged Golubac’s outer walls along the lower bank. Along with the Danube’s invasion of the fortress, a road was created that passed through the walls, once again proving that the only way to breach Golubac was with the technology of modern progress and infrastructure.

 In 2005, a campaign to restore the overgrown fortress was undertaken and Golubac is now a popular tourist site in Serbia, especially during boat tours of the Danube.

 

Clancy's comment: It would not have been easy to construct, but I'd love to visit it with my cameras.

 

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