Historical origins of Belgrade and Niš street names

Historical accounts detail the etymological origins of significant locations in Serbia. Belgrade, whose name literally translates to ‘white city’ from Slavic roots, was previously known as Singidunum. This ancient settlement served as a vital Roman military and administrative center at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

In Niš, the area now known as Drainčeva Street was historically called ‘Crni put’ (Black Path). The name originated in the late 19th century due to the use of dark locomotive slag and gravel, which workers used to pave a muddy track near the railway workshops, replacing the difficult terrain with a dark-colored surface.