Category: Topics

a, Balkan Turmoil, SerbiaLeave a comment

Belgrade, NATO Bombing Sites.

Rich McClear

This is from an October 2000 letter from Belgrade, on my first visit to the city after Milosevic lost power– and my first visit since the NATO bombing.   When someone asks “do you want to see the sights” he really means “sites,” the places hit during the NATO bombing.  Like in Pristina, the tour points out how accurate the bombing really was.  People mark time “before bombing, after bombing” always pronouncing the second “b” in bombing.  And when people ask “how has Belgrade changed” they expect me to cite the most visible of the sites, the tall building next … Continue reading Belgrade, NATO Bombing Sites.

a, Montenegro, ReligiousLeave a comment

Plevja, Mosques and Monasteries.

Rich McClear

Plevja is in Northern Montenegro where Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro meet.  It is a multi ethnic area that saw a large influx of refugees during the Bosnian war.  It is part of the Sanzak region which was part of the Ottoman empire, administered by Austria, and when Austria withdrew Serbia and Montenegro split the district.  The “Holy Trinity” Monastery is just outside town.  The Mosque is typical of the Balkans.  The clock tower is a hold over from Ottoman times.  The Ottomans put up clock towers in most of their towns. Continue reading Plevja, Mosques and Monasteries.