The Belgrad Gate was one of the public gates of both the Roman and Ottoman empires, and it remains in use in modern-day Istanbul. Inside the fortress, staircases lead up to the towers, while walkways, passageways, and gates connect the ground floors to the city’s outer walls.Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent settled the Serbs in this neighborhood to benefit from their craftsmanship. The same reasoning applies to the Belgrad Forest, where the Serbs were responsible for maintaining the aqueducts and the roads leading to the freshwater springs. Inside the walls stands a Serbian Orthodox Church called Panagia Belgradlu, which means “Virgin Mary of Belgrade.Fortunately, thanks to recent renovations by the municipality, it became an open-air museum with free admission. Passing through the gate, on both the left and right sides, the museum features two small but cozy libraries that offer complimentary tea, water, and internet access.