Great War Island
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The Great War Island (Serbian: Велико ратно острво/Veliko ratno ostrvo) is an island that marks the mouth of the Sava river as it empties into the Danube. It is located in Belgrade.
The island is called Great War Island because throughout history, the island was an important strategic point either for the conquest or the defence of Belgrade. For example, in 1521 when Belgrade was under siege by Turkish forces, the majority of their attacks on Belgrade fortress were launched from the island. In liberating Belgrade in 1806 the rebel army headed by Karađorđe also used the island for military purposes. During the offensive in 1915 by Austria-Hungary against Belgrade, Austia-Hungary forces used the island to launch their attacks.
Currently some two-thirds of the island are used as a nature preserve for numerous bird species, many of which are endangered. On the northern tip of the island there is a famous beach called Lido.
