THE 7 WONDERS OF THE BALKANS. Do you agree with my picks? What would you change? It's only cultural wonders, natural ones in another post.
Posted by freddo_expresso@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 251 comments
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
I think this is a good list overall but there are some strong contenders, such as the Palace of Diocletian in Split, Stari Most in Mostar, Butrint in Albania, the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria etc.
However, if this is a Balkan list, I think the wonders should be symbolic in a more Balkan way. So, here is my list:
Enver Hoxha's bunkers in Albania: A symbol of oppression, an utter waste of taxpayers' money, and completely useless in a war. So, this is the true pinnacle of the Balkan wonders.
The Palace of the Parliament in Romania: A staggering monument to megalomania that necessitated bulldozing historic Bucharest. It functions today as a permanent, heating-intensive financial burden on modern citizens.
The Skopje 2014 project in North Macedonia: A state-funded exercise in architectural gaslighting designed to manufacture an ancient lineage. It successfully smothered a functional city center under dense neoclassical kitsch.
The Pyramids of Visoko in Bosnia: A triumph of monetizing geological flatirons through relentless pseudoarchaeology. It proves a robust tourism economy requires absolutely no alignment with verified historical facts.
The Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria: A brutalist concrete saucer abandoned on a remote peak to slowly disintegrate. It serves as a flawless structural metaphor for the rapid collapse of state-mandated ideological narratives. This is my personal favorite.
Burj Al Babas in Turkey: A bankrupt real estate catastrophe featuring hundreds of identical miniature French châteaux. This uninhabited valley stands as a profoundly surreal monument to unchecked speculative capitalist urbanism of Erdogan's party.
The Yugoslav Spomeniks across the region: A network of alien concrete brutalism commemorating a unified identity that subsequently imploded. They stubbornly occupy remote hillsides, long outlasting the very nation that financed them.
FranklinRichardss@reddit
I went to Bunkart 1 and 2. Good suggestion. However city of Berat would be my choice for Albania.
Fred_Neecheh@reddit
Made me laugh, good Sir, have an upvote. In fairness, Yugoslav futuristic monuments are pretty badass tho
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
I love the Yugoslav monuments but maintaining Balkan credentials requires aggressively hating everything.
Lizard_Of_Roz@reddit
Marmara Ereglisi town hall building in Eastern Thrace is famous throughout Turkey for its kitsch architecture blending multiple styles in the most horrific way. I think it would be a worthy addition to this list.
Processing img ata2fpgkiewg1...
Fred_Neecheh@reddit
Is this the father of Skopje 2014 project
mw2lmaa@reddit
This is gold.
bleta_punetore@reddit
This does it from the Balkan standpoint, though about the bunkers I wouldn't totally write them off as "useless" in a war. They proved their usefulness during the Kosovo war around the border area and also Kukës has a whole city below that nobody has ever seen, if not military personnel and some journalists.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
In modern warfare, static fortifications don't really make much sense. They may bring a few advantages but there are much more effective ways to allocate the limited resources in other elements for defense.
Self-Bitter@reddit
Please include tthis modern woder in Athens
Fuzzy_Alg@reddit
These used to be thing in Turkey too. I think we survived that 25 or 30 years ago.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
The Jury Award:
The City Center of Athens: The mid-century polykatoikía sprawl is a staggering achievement in burying classical antiquity and any trace of green space under ugly apartment blocks. The definitive masterclass in how Greeks decisively beat the Turks in ruining a historic city with a concrete jungle.
Common_Source_9@reddit
Aren;t they actually pretty much an ideal infrastructure for mushroom growing these days?
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
Honorable mention:
The "SpongeBob" Castle near Istanbul: A masterclass in obliterating Roman heritage and a total triumph of mindless restoration. The undisputed benchmark for converting coastal antiquity into a cartoon caricature.
Fun fact: Previously in the 1980s, the Turks managed to become the only nation who built medieval fortifications in the 20th century when they "restored" parts of the Theodosian Walls of Istanbul.
DharmaLeader@reddit
Thanks so much. You are a true Balkan.
vukojarac8@reddit
I’ve never read anything more Balkan than this list in my life
Western-Speech-6808@reddit
Good list, I would add in Belgrade waterfront too
JRJenss@reddit
Nice! Very well written too. 👍👍
Superamorti@reddit
A distinguished list with a refreshing perspective!
fishdrumstick@reddit
National parks
LittleBigBaws@reddit
Zejjeva
Bullshitman_Pilky@reddit
Predjama castle
According-Tart3557@reddit
What about the Rilla Monastery
DuleGalaxyGaming135@reddit
I think Croatis
Xitztlacayotl@reddit
What is special about Dečani momastery?
jethrotool64@reddit
Ima preko hiljadu freski - najbolje ocuvane od svih manastira u juznoj evropi, gradio ga je katolicki fratar, fra Vita iz Kotora u romanicko-gotskom stilu, sto je rjetkost za pravoslavne manastire, najbolje ocuvana i i originalna arhitektura iz 14 vjeka, na uneskovoj listi svjetske bastine i jos monogo toga..
c4tellano@reddit
https://balkanacademia.com/2024/05/03/vita-de-kotor-or-dom-vita-kuci-vita-kuci-or-cuci-was-an-albanian-catholic-monk/
canyoubelieveitt@reddit
Rila Monastery should be in here.
Prudent-Werewolf3712@reddit
Pyramids of Bosnia
laprasaur@reddit
If I'm not mistaken, it's been quite well established since many years that those aren't real?
jboggin@reddit
Well they're certainly real, but the overwhelming scientific consensus is that they're natural formations and not man-made. I think the type of geological formation is called a Flatiron or something like that.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
there was too much research, its not possible to be formed in such precise manner even in nature perfect conditions, you should go and check it out, also they found many artifacts, they done testing with carbon method they were really old, and story around it is mind boggling. I cant say what it is but definitely something man made.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
there is something, is it pyramids or something IDK but there is something, go check it out
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
Srebrenik castle
Conscious-Sherbet308@reddit
EYYYY SREBRENIK MENTIONEEED
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
This guy fucks
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
and here is cool video
https://vimeo.com/143648396?fl=pl&fe=sh
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
You can see it from the place I am originally from, and from all the places around it for like 10km sky line. Maybe I am pushing it for 10km, maybe 5km? But it is like a watch tower for about 50000 people around it. You can see everything from up there.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
I cant upload picture have no idea why hope video helps :D I really want to visit that castle for years :)
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
The video is the best representation from multiple sides
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
Processing img ua6jlnjuxdwg1...
Commercial_Handle418@reddit
💀💀💀
Isus_saka34sara@reddit
I hate it when oeople say Balkan and then just say the Turkey, Greece, Albania, Romania and Croatia potentially Slovenia, and tottaly dismiss the one in center Balkans. No hate.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
It's not about beings inclusive. There are some cultural wonders that are not replacable.
Do you think Bosnia, for example, has something that could replace the structures above?
Isus_saka34sara@reddit
How many structures they are only in Ohrid, than you have the other cities
Isus_saka34sara@reddit
Bro why do you think that the other countires in the Balans don't have cultural and betifull structures? Or maybe you are biased, you will never put a Macedonian one since you are greek, maybe. Or if you think that theese countires have nore of this sites, then just put them, and then don't slap balkan on it.
ExtremeProfession@reddit
Stećci from a purely historical standpoint are extremely interesting and only found in the area that was once a part of the Bosnian Kingdom.
Stari Most and the Mehmed Pasha bridge in Višegrad are an UNESCO site and an UNESCO candidate respectively.
Bosnia does have way more nature than preserved buildings before the 14th and 15th century due to empires changing and battles taking place, but it's still very rich in those.
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
Srebrenik Castle
mw2lmaa@reddit
Albania's contribution.
kaiser_vfe@reddit
The Dečani Monastery and the Selimiye mosque shouldn't be in the list tbh. There is always Rila Monastery which is quite the fascinating Unesco sight, moreover if you want to see truly unique Mosque then you should have included Tetovo's mosque instead of the Selimiye which is almost a copy of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
mw2lmaa@reddit
Isn't Selimye older? (honestly don't know)
autotunoid@reddit
bulgaria not being included in anything is very bulgarian in a way
PolluxDiS@reddit
7 Rila lakes in Bulgaria.
Mihail_Ivanov@reddit
Rila monastery fits better. Also the Baba Vida fortress and Belogradchik fortress.
PolluxDiS@reddit
Those too, yes of course how could I forget, Baba Vida is from my hometown :D
JimbosBalls@reddit
deviendrais@reddit
6 of them wouldn’t exist without Greeks/Byzantines lol
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Technically 7/7 😅... Dubrovnik (Ragusa) was founded by refugees from Cavtat (Old Ragusa), which was, in turn, a Greek city called Epidauros, a colony of the city of Corinth.
deviendrais@reddit
Oh I counted Dubrovnik. I assumed that the Selimiye Mosque would be the only one that wasn’t related to Greeks since it was built in the 16th century and isn’t a converted church (afaik) like the Hagia Sophia
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Selimiye Mosque design is directly based on the Hagia Sophia.
harryweins@reddit
A regressive, reductionist view that reeks chauvinism.
CamelAmbitious7425@reddit
Saying that Dubrovnik was founded by Greeks is somewhat of a stretch. Long before the foundation of Dubrovnik, the inhabitants of the former Epidaurum (Cavtat) were no longer Greeks.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
I know it's a stretch, but there is a link nonetheless.
JonhColtrane@reddit
Greeks / Byzantines? Greek and byzanine is not the same, just taught in schools as such
deviendrais@reddit
Yeah I should’ve said “Hellenistic culture” as an umbrella term
shortEverything_@reddit
Call a Byzantine Hellenic and see the reaction
I wouldn’t want to be called a blasphemous pagan myself
deviendrais@reddit
I’m done using woke neutral language to describe them. Next time I see one I’ll just call them a Greek and not Roman smh
Haferflocke2020@reddit
I stead of the Silimiye Mousqe I'd add the Old Brodge in Mostar
GrandTimely2165@reddit
It doesn’t exist anymore; todays bridge is 20years olds
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
True Croatians destroy it 20 years ago in Joint Criminal Enterprise
CataphractBunny@reddit
After Bosniaks repeatedly broke the agreement that neither side would use the bridge for military purposes. Bosniaks sending troops, weapons, and supplies using the bridge is what made it a legitimate military target.
Stop lying already. No one is buying your propaganda bullshit.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
Joint Criminal Enterprise is what Croatians done in Bosnia it was sentenced in International Court in Hague. It was never legitimate target. Croatians destroy everything that came to their hand, Pocitelj is another gem that was burned to the ground by Croatian forces. Also Tudžman had deal with Milosevic to separate Bosnia on two parts but that is for different topic. Stay to topic. I am sorry you got offended but that was truth, you have two options to accept what Croatia done to Bosnia and move forward, or just lie and deny everything but I am not sure where that is heading, these things did happened.
CataphractBunny@reddit
It was. I just explained it. Here it is again:
And since you obviosly missed it, here's the main part again:
Stop lying already. No one is buying your propaganda bullshit.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
Oh I have to believe your lies. Trust me bro
Here is just sentence from International court
"It was therefore an illegal act, a war crime and a crime against humanity, being “an underlying act of persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds as a crime against humanity and unlawful infliction of terror on civilians as a violation of the laws and customs of war “)"
And here is a link of Croatian Joint Criminal Enterprise where that is written.
and here is a video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-CGVJ7UU4
Now go rage somewhere else.
CataphractBunny@reddit
Quote from the document you linked:
You can stop your bullshit now.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
so you agree that link is document of Croatian Joint Criminal Enterprise?
CataphractBunny@reddit
I'm glad you agree the Old Bridge was a legitimate military target because Bosniaks used it for military purposes.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
I am glad you used document and accept Croatian Joint Criminal Enterprise :)
CataphractBunny@reddit
I am glad you admitted the bridge was a legitimate military target. You can apologize for your previous lies now. :)
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
You need to apologize for killing civilians in Croatian Joint Criminal Enterprise.
also what are you talking about
1286. In its Final Trial Brief, the Prosecution did not concern itself with determining how the Old
Bridge was used during the conflict between the BiH Croats and Muslims in Mostar.3225 The
Prosecution simply recalled, in mentioning the destruction of the Old Bridge that "it is
inconceivable that sustained artillery fire would be directed at a civilian location or religious or
cultural sites without clearance from the HVO command".3226 It also reproduces the statements of
Jadranko Prlić during his testimony as a suspect in 2001, according to which "no military goals or
military targets that were there can justify destruction of that bridge".3227
destroyed or significantly damaged several religious properties in East Mostar, and on 9 November
1993 destroyed the Old Bridge in Mostar.
AskBalkans-ModTeam@reddit
Your post/comment was removed for violating Rule 3 of r/AskBalkans "No agenda pushing". We want this subreddit to be an inclusive space and no chauvinism, bigotry or insults towards national, ethnic, religious etc. group will be tolerated. Depending on the severity of this violation, you may be banned.
In any case, refrain from posting or commenting in such a manner.
CataphractBunny@reddit
LMAO, what an epic meltdown.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
Nice clown, although you used correct colors of Croatian flag, you need r chessboard to add it will be perfect. I didn't know you were woman, I would be completely different to you. I love Croatian woman :)
CataphractBunny@reddit
That was embarrassing to read but evidently not to write.
GrandTimely2165@reddit
I know. A war crime.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
its called culturicide
GrandTimely2165@reddit
Culturecide isn’t yet recognised as standalone category in international law. Furthermore, this case doesn’t fall under the substance of cultural genocide. It is a war crime as categorised in the Rome statute.
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-CGVJ7UU4
Here is a link Croatian forces cheer when the bridge was destroy by them.
GrandTimely2165@reddit
With which windmills are you fighting? I first said it’s a war crime even though ICTY decided differently on appeal.
Young_Owl99@reddit
Even I would do that.
casioli777@reddit
Maybe Voroneț Monastery?
kotakoabrat@reddit
Mosques in Turkey don’t represent Balkans. Haha Sofia - not a mosque either
fk_censors@reddit
I would add the village of Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece.
peoktitis@reddit
How about the old town of rhodes? Unesco world heritage site and the biggest medival city or castle(can't remember) in Europe still being lived in.
P-l-Staker@reddit
"Decani monastery"?! Sorry, what's so special about it? It looks like just another eastern religious building.
iheartloud420@reddit
Its huge, and at its time biggest church in medieval serbia
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
"In Kosova
AstropathicRelay@reddit
Medieval kOsOvA . Clowns , try attacking it with mortars and grenades again .
For Albanians from KosovA claiming it as something belonging to them even post war you sure try your best to send some explosives its way any opportunity you get . Weird how much effort they put into attacking medieval Albanian kOsOvA monastery. Dont make Kurti sad please .He did a whole lecture on those medieval Albo monasteries that were wrongly attributed to Serbs. HA , history am I right ? Maybe many just didn't happen to listen to his lecture , they def should.
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
I didnt bother to read all of that.
AstropathicRelay@reddit
Its a surprise you can read and write in the first place. Considering that your intentionally mistype the correct English term for the region. Such a sovereign entity should surely be able to petition for a name change so you no longer have to sound illiterate online.
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
I am not sure what's your point, but Kosova is a sovereign country. You would need a passport to go there. Obviously, you can visit the place and enjoy the food, the naturethe people.
But if you dont behave yourself accordingly, you will be deported.
That is what means to be a sovereign country.
AstropathicRelay@reddit
Since you have just rediscovered reading, maybe the next step might be understanding what you just read.
I will put it in simple terms . You speak in English correct ? You use English language terms for regions , countries , people ?
Its really telling that when you have to type the name of said region in English you switch to using an Albanian language adaptation for what you call "Kosova" , the feeling of internal insecurity emanates from this act alone .
The Albanian form of "Kosovo" is just "Kosov(o)" with the postpositive definite article -a added at the end. It is an Albanian pronunciation of originally Slavic names. Since Kosovo is a Slavic word it is logical that the Slavic form has priority over the Albanian which is only morphologically modified.
Because of Battle of Kosovo in 1389, and then another in 1448 the original name of the Serbian toponym spread throughout Europe and it was translated into other foreign languages, in Latin as Campus merularum (Campus merularum, merula "blackbird"), in Italian as “Piana dei Merli” (Piana dei Merli "field of blackbirds"), in German as Amselfeld (Amselfeld: Amsel "blackbird").
So you can either learn English and use the proper name that is Kosovo or change the name of the "country" into some former toponym/state from antiquity that you loosely associate your tribe with since you are such a sovereign state.
Also dont talk about deporting as you are getting ready to deport monks from said monasteries. On top of them being beaten every now and then . You probably dont want to attract too much attention to that topic either. (Ask me for examples and I will send the links.)
ThiemHeli@reddit
Kosovo is now a serbian name? You mean Bulgarian toponym? :)
'Also dont talk about deporting as you are getting ready to deport monks from said monasteries. On top of them being beaten every now and then .'
Where an when did that happen?
Ah men don't forget bajnska and other false flag operations.
You should visit kosova man, don't listen to shit propaganda.
The serbs that are farthest aways from kosova have the worst opinion on albanians, its so funny.
AstropathicRelay@reddit
You are 100% certain that its a Bulgarian toponym ? Well good , it means you and your fellow compatriot can speak proper English then :) if your sovereign country is incapable of renaming itself.
Regarding the other part, glad you asked:
Monk deported ( document issued to him , apparently a threat not national security )
Threats of deporation to other monks and nuns
Threats of deportation to everyone else who doesn't own documents of this attempted state :
https://www.balkanweb.com/en/Kosovo%27s-decision-to-issue-12-month-residence-permits-for-Serbs-enters-into-force-today/#gsc.tab=0
The Law on Foreigners
Basically state entity will refuse to issue residence permit to people who have lived there for thousands of years. If they dont have entity documents and will give them tourist visas.
Attacks on pilgrims and monks two examples (people can easily find more):
https://kossev.info/window-shattered-as-stone-hits-serbian-pilgrims-bus-in-south-mitrovica/
https://www.facebook.com/oscekosovo/posts/the-osce-mission-in-kosovo-is-concerned-to-note-that-serbian-orthodox-pilgrims-w/2193528344245024/
You should visit kosova man, don't listen to shit propaganda.Oh I will visit again no worries. And before you comment something about the border crossing , yeah I trust me I see it clearly. They understand what kind of entity they are entering. The same way Serbs felt in other annexed regions during 1943.
The serbs that are farthest aways from kosova have the worst opinion on albanians, its so funny.Haha I know right ! Those 7 Serbs left in Pristina or maybe its the other 5 in Prizren . One struggles to find them a bit but once you do I am sure they are a blast to hang out with and say nothing but the best.
ThiemHeli@reddit
Yes, it's a Bulgarian toponym you tried again, making it your own – typical of you. :)
There exists a constitution, something you don't respect in Serbia. It's a bit hard to change the name, because we respect our minorities. :)
Many other links?
With that link down, they are still recycling old news? That happened in 2016 – Sava Janjić lying again and again as he praised the Banjska terrorists. :)
https://kossev.info/window-shattered-as-stone-hits-serbian-pilgrims-bus-in-south-mitrovica/
And how many times did the Chetniks make false flag operations in Kosova? Or just lied that they were threatened?
https://prishtinainsight.com/security-camera-footage-debunks-claims-of-police-violence-in-north-kosovo-mag/
https://x.com/BekteshiRamazan/status/1913986244926652621
A good one here:
https://x.com/BalkanPulse/status/1893782176870596928
https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/arrestohet-nje-serb-per-demtim-te-varrezave-ortodokse-ne-kllokot/
>'The same way Serbs felt in other annexed regions during 1943.'
HAHA, you mean you feel like a Chetnik? On territory annexed by Serbs, right?
You dumb dumb, always stealing land.
>'Basically state entity will refuse to issue residence permit to people who have lived there for thousands of years. If they don't have entity documents and will give them tourist visas.'
You can get a residence permit and everyone can. Why do you lie? Prove first that you lived there for thousands of years – you can't. No one refuses anything, but you lie and lie again. You never tried to get a permit because you would get one. Stop lying, bro, and stop with this shit propaganda.
If you could prove it or not, you would still get a permit :)
>'Haha I know right ! Those 7 Serbs left in Pristina or maybe its the other 5 in Prizren . One struggles to find them a bit but once you do I am sure they are a blast to hang out with and say nothing but the best.'
I caught you! You diaspora Serbs are the worst. You clearly were never in Kosova, knowing only Prishtina and Prizren. You don't know anything about Kosova and the Serbs that live in it, because you don't care about them. You only know Prishtina and Prizren because of your Chetnik songs. You don't know any other place where ethnic Serbs live.
They are safer in Kosova then in Serbia, they are threatened by Vucic not by anyone else.
AstropathicRelay@reddit
Everything is a false flag . When pilgrims get attacked its a false flag , when monks get attacked its a false flag . Random kids coming back to home at Christmass Eve get shot at false flag too . Devious lil Serbs , always scheming.
You can get a residence permit and everyone can. Why do you lie? Prove first that you lived there for thousands of years – you can't. No one refuses anything, but you lie and lie again. You never tried to get a permit because you would get one. Stop lying, bro, and stop with this shit propaganda.If you could prove it or not, you would still get a permit :)You see thats the thing , what happens if one of them doesn't want to acquire questionable entity documents ? Ohh , that's right its a one way ticket , instead of trying to find a solution that would please the minor leftovers you are trying to entrench things that you see as state elements at any costs . A thing that's ever raising eyebrows of many of your sponsors . Risk of administrative expulsion is very real but that's just a benefit on your end no doubt so its understandable.
HAHA, you mean you feel like a Chetnik? On territory annexed by Serbs, right?Like everyday Serbs in Kosovo during 1943 being attacked by people using another geopolitical opportunity to do them harm , because they are unable to do it by themselves on such scale otherwise and require a foreign power to help them out in this case the Nazis.
I caught you! You diaspora Serbs are the worst. You clearly were never in Kosova, knowing only Prishtina and Prizren. You don't know anything about Kosova and the Serbs that live in it,Aww , you got me ! I used Prizren and Pristina as examples of that exemplary successful multiethnic cohabitation especially when one compares population charts pre and post war but I agree with you there might be even better examples ! Mitrovica ! Oh wait ... Its a divided city shucks . Gracanica is an effective Serb ghetto. With their neighbors doing stuff like this . Lovely indeed. Or maybe Štrpce where on January 6, 2023 (Orthodox Christmas Eve) two Serbian kids an 11-year-old boy and a 21-year-old Serbians were shot and wounded in Gotovusa, near Strpce in southern Kosovo, while carrying oak branches for traditional Christmas celebrations by a member of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF). You have to investigate that KSF guy , he might be working for the false flag factory too.
They are safer in Kosova then in Serbia, they are threatened by Vucic not by anyone else.Now ,now ... There is no need to throws stones at Vucic . He's been of great help to you if you ignore his everyday voter rhetoric. Rhetoric is always one thing but deeds are another. You should honestly build him a monument right next to your famous Epstein client Bill Clinton ( such a humanitarian ) .
iheartloud420@reddit
Nothing that resembles modern day kosovo existed back then and it was made by a serbian king
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
Nothing that resembles modern day Serbia existed back in the ancient times. Yet, we recognise you.
This argument is similar to Israel in Paledtine.
"When jews came to Palestine, we built it, it had nothing here, so its ours".
VisaSila@reddit
You do realize that genetically, Serbs and other "Slav" nations are more Ilirian (and for that matter other local ethnic groups whos name I forgot right now) than Slavic, right?
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
What are you talking about? Are you comparing apples to oranges?
You say "da" the same as russians and you are illirian?
Serbs may have, genetically speaking, illyrian DNA because they assimilated the locals. But culturally speaking, they are russians.
If serbains are illyrians, then North Macedonians are greek Macedonians, just by applying the same logic. So, Greece is wrong for claiming Alexander the Great.
VisaSila@reddit
https://youtu.be/Yy8MUnlT9Oo
Basically, everything you just wrote is factually incorrect, this amount of failure on your part takes some effort, congrats :D
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
The number four in russian - chetery
The number four in serbian - ćetiri
Yes in russian - da
Yes in serbian - da
Are these examples fsctual enough for you?
VisaSila@reddit
What about numerous pagan beliefs which we still practice today, solely because Romans incorporated our old beliefs into Christianity? Care to talk about those, or 2-3 words which are shared between Russian and Serbian, as if Russians are the all encompassing Slavic entity from which the rest left.
Newsflash numb nuts, all Slavic languages have common words, some more, some less.
Main split between Slavs during the great move was between East, West and South Slavs. Within these groups there were many tribes from which later on grew different nations and ethnic groups
In Balkans, that would be two big tribes of Serbs and Croats (within which there were sub tribes/tribes in familial sense, from which modern family lines and certain surnames come)
NietzscheIsGulty@reddit
I agree with this. But that also proves that your main culture is slavic and you are not from this region.
So you have two choices
Either accept the present, Albanians living there so its Albanian.
Or
Go back to history and repeat yourself that you came to Balkans from Russia.
Frankly, everyone that has been in contact with russians, know that Russians keep themselves as the mother nation of all slavic people.
Unfortunately for you and fortunately for us (which is the truth), you cant bend the reality.
AstropathicRelay@reddit
Sooner or later he will rediscover south America . And learn about people living there speaking Spanish and Portuguese while not being from Portugal or Spain. And maybe a neuron will click somewhere in his head regarding his language based argument .
brainstormmaster@reddit
Not far from Deqan its an old river called White Drin. Now as you might not know, the names of the rivers/places are as old as time passed down through generations , now here is a logical question for you: How do you call White Drin in your language? and think, from where it was adopted and why? as its clearly not slavic word.
iheartloud420@reddit
What does that have to do with a serbian monastery? Are we gonna go into dick measuring contest in whos here longer or what? If we started doing that all of us would end up in ethiopia in the end.
primera_radi@reddit
He said medieval serbia
Syrmin@reddit
No such thing
hardhuca88@reddit
biggest church in Kosova, Albania.
Academic_Mechanic_36@reddit
This is not Decani, that is Studenica.
iheartloud420@reddit
The monastery on the picture is decani
adelBRO@reddit
Is this the one where government gave permit for a shitty hotel being constructed right on the church site?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
It's much larger than it looks, it's covered in marble, the interior is one of the most impressive mural collections in the world, and it truly is the pinnacle of medieval Balkan art outside the Byzantine Empire.
P-l-Staker@reddit
Yeah, this picture doesn't do it justice, definitely. Literally looks as big as any building.
Livid_Benefit2051@reddit
I love Ellada very much.
Prior-University6492@reddit
Belogradchik?
Moist_Ad2066@reddit
Dečani is not a wonder
FloppyDiskDrives@reddit
You should have did 17 wonders of the Balkans, perhaps that way there wouldn’t be bickering in the comment section?
Successful-Biggy@reddit
Sumela Monastery
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Oh yes, one of the greatest engineering feats of Byzantine Greeks. It's not just a wonder, but also the national shrine of Pontic Greeks. Soumelá is a common name for Pontic women.
Something you may not know, is that the icon of Our Lady of Soumela, the heart and soul of the monastery, the very reasonit was built, is today located in the New Soumela Monastery in Greece. There was a deal between Greece and Turkey in the 30s, Greek monks hid the icon during the genocide and expulsion and returned to take it back to Greece. Turkey accepted, and Soumela got a new home in Greece, where it is venerated by Pontic Greeks to this very day.
Successful-Biggy@reddit
What deal is it ? Cuz there is not a deal like that afaik. After around 2m Turks got executed (genocided basically) in balkans, the left ones (around 300k turks) exchanged with 1.2m Greeks and that exchange deal was including the monks in the monastery. So they set the new monastery in Greece.
Btw, if they are genocided, how did they expulded the icon back ?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Are you denying the Greek Genocide committed by the Ottomans?
Successful-Biggy@reddit
Are you denying Turk genocide committed by the Greeks ?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Answer my question.
Successful-Biggy@reddit
I won't answer your question since you are pulling me into somewhere bad. Agenda pushing is a violation for this sub. Please stop that and don't pull me into the same mistake.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
I gave you information about Soumela that any other person would find interesting, yet you decided to drop everything and start with the genocide denial.
SE_prof@reddit
The blue mosque is an impressive feat of architecture and internal decoration.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Mimar Sinan is the greatest Ottoman architect, and Selimiye Mosque is his masterpiece. It is factually the pinnacle of Ottoman Architecture.
Massive_Emu6682@reddit
Tbf, it was mostly about his obsession with certain stuff that made him think that Selimiye Mosque is his "pinnacle work", which of course I wouldn't oppose to a master's the master piece in his eyes. But, I would say Süleymaniye Mosque has an overall better advantages compared to Selimiye. It's occupation on the top of one of the hills that literally watches the Bosphorus alone makes it way better than Selimiye, which is totally not in control of the architect but has a big impact on overall outcome. And Idk how but you always literally stumbled to it. It's kinda like calls you rather then you tried to go to it. It's a overwhelming feeling of power when you literally come actoss this megalith, appeared on your way suddenly.
Süleymaniye is like my favorite mosque of all time because of it's uniqueness in lots of perspectives, rather than one singular situation.
hardhuca88@reddit
Albanian Architect Sinani.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
Agreed. Considering Sinan's work, the Blue Mosque by one of his students is mostly a repetition --- except its wonderful interior decoration.
Selimiye is by far the greatest architectural achievement of the Ottomans, slightly ahead of Sinan's earlier work, Suleymaniye, which is another masterpiece.
SE_prof@reddit
I like the Blue Mosque better...
dallyan@reddit
It’s soooo beautiful on the inside. Intensely calming.
volcano156@reddit
But its Selimiye not Blue mosque
SE_prof@reddit
I see it's called sultan Ahmed mosque....
kvnstantinos@reddit
Churches churches and some monasteries. Is this the only thing we have?
Successful-Biggy@reddit
Ephesus ?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
That's in Asia Minor
Successful-Biggy@reddit
Yeah but it is as beautiful as we can't eliminate
JimmyDrift@reddit
Taxi driver that knows more about politics than Noam Chomsky, cats of Kotor, that burek for one euro better than anything, that water I had from the tap in Ljubljana, that sandwich in Dubrovnik, that craft beer in Podgorica, the personal tour in Albania with wild horses on the sea and a history and culture lesson of the last 500 years
x-ploretheinternet@reddit
Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon
TheAimIs@reddit
Go, naive Balkan man/woman to Paris, or to New York, or to London just to have a facebook picture while these wonders and many more are in your place!!
Petrak1s@reddit
Only 7? There are probably 20…
muzafferiados@reddit
And Sumela Monastery
plavonja@reddit
Ostrog monastery is not on the list? Seriously 😒
Big-Tax1771@reddit
Pula Arena
Chocolategogi@reddit
Everytime I see This city name, can't contain my little laugh... In Romanian dialect, it meens dick :) so dick's Arena
Sespela@reddit
In Norwegian it’s mean to have fucked.
SwordfishTerrible520@reddit
Fellow men of culture 😉
Beautiful_Limit_2719@reddit
There's even an English or American male name Dick, who would have thought.
SwordfishTerrible520@reddit
I think that all Romanian dialects share this beautiful word
Antique_Birthday6380@reddit
Chicken area?
Indubitabil12@reddit
HahahA
Lizard_Of_Roz@reddit
Mostar Bridge is quite iconic too, I would say it’s a contender.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the Yugoslav Wars. Today, it's a replica of the original, therefore disqualified :(
Fantastic-Reading-78@reddit
its not replica but same stone was took from water and built in exact same brdidge
ExtremeProfession@reddit
Exactly, numerous buildings have been torn down and repaired and are still considered to be from medieval times.
You wouldn't know if someone decided to repaint the Colosseum in yellow 800 years ago, chronicles from the period would highlight that some work was done but they often wouldn't be very specific.
No_Stomach_2341@reddit
Walls of Kotor are more impressive fhan Dubrovnik
hruschov@reddit
What is so special about the monastery? Just wondering.
Outside_Resist_8319@reddit
[Edirne Uzunköprü historical
bridge](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Historical-Uzunkoeprue-Bridge-Edirne-Turkey-URL-6_fig7_365636949)
mrdimeguy@reddit
Palace of Diocletian in Split Croatia
NjkazInReddit@reddit
Romania has the Dracula Castle that's pretty infamous and iconic too.
Could replace the Selimiye mosque or the Decani Monastery
Solid-Scarcity-236@reddit
The castle in Ploeshti, I think that was the name, is much more impressive and stunning compared to the Drakula one. One of the most beautiful castels in the world.
Rumba669@reddit
The castle is named Peleș, it is located in the city of Sinaia, Ploiești county.
Vaisiamarrr@reddit
Prahova county, Ploiesti is the county capital
FanofTurquoise16@reddit
I would choose Peleș over Bran since Peleș is more impressive architecturally and also in the area of Romania which is Balkan in terms of culture (Wallachia).
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
Istambul is NOT Balkan.
I'm not sure where that other Muslim building is but it makes no sense to include it, as a "wonder" lol.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
"Balkan" doubt.
how, lol.
I'm almost certain majority of Greeks don't even know what that is.
& majority (or, rather, vast majority) of Balkans is NOT Muslim.
so, including 2 Muslim buildings is weird.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine structure, not a Muslim one.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
operates (& looks) like a Muslim building.
(I'm not "judging" ur picks tho, but that's what I think, like we have our own rather "symbolic" Muslim building but I would never say "that's a wonder" cause it's not representative, & I don't believe some random Muslim building, on top of the Istambul one, makes sense, here).
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
You do realize that Ottoman mosques are based-off the Hagia Sophia, and not the other way around, right?
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
bruh.
ANYONE can tell a Muslim building from miles away, only based on appearance.
(the "things" around the building).
I doubt Byzantium had these, lol.
but then I never cared much, for it. so.
Sea_Gap_6569@reddit
Hagia Sophia is THE most important building built by Byzantium by far. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing and functional. And it IS the blueprint for almost all Turkish mosques.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
it's a Muslim building.
it's not in Balkans.
these were my only points.
the first is a fact, lol.
the second is debatable, based on definition.
"να 'χαμε να λέγαμε" τα άλλα.
έφυγες.🇬🇷🇬🇷
OrcaApex@reddit
Just because it looks like something it doesn’t mean it is that something.
Also, your definition of wonder is… interesting…
Would you say that Hollywood’s carpet of stars is a wonder of the world above the likes of Epidaurus Theater? It is waaay more known than most of the wonders in OP’s list, and by your definition a wonder is something “well known”.
harryweins@reddit
Your pitiful ignorance is what’s random. Not architectural wonders. Grow up and learn.
Young_Owl99@reddit
Somehow you both offend Turks and Greeks. Calling Hagia Sophia a Muslim building as a Greek…
Even we won’t go that far lol.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
yeah,
stick to Turkic history, don't try & "lecture" me, on Greek.
any Greek that "feels offended" (lol) is free to challenge my points, like OP.
I don't care.
same thing.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
Kudos to OP who fights with this ignorance, which you can find in enough numbers in any country.
Abigail_Blyg@reddit
This is what nationalism looks like just so others are aware..
electricvoice28@reddit
We do not claim this person.
OrcaApex@reddit
The architecture of the Selimiye Mosque is incredible, definitely a wonder.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
"wonders" r meant to be "well recognizable"
if u have to include some Muslim building that no one is aware of, (outside the region) well, ur cooked.
Additional-Penalty97@reddit
Most people here dont know what Acropolis is and never seen it.
But that does not make it less good or not a Balkan wonder.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
okay, lol.
that sums up education, there.
however, it's a fact that it's globally well-known.
the Muslim building I'm referring to is NOT globally well-known.
harryweins@reddit
It is. By educated people.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
Young_Owl99@reddit
Both Edirne and European side of İstanbul is on Balkan peninsula. No doubt there.
Both Hagia Sophia is on European side and Selimiye mosque is on Edirne.
Both of them are Balkan.
You can question their wonderness, that’s of course up for debate but they are surely Balkan.
Erozbey@reddit
I’ve got some bad news for you \^\^
electricvoice28@reddit
I mean half of Istanbul is part of the Balkan Peninsula and the Hagia Sofia is in that part so it's Balkan imo
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
(anyone that has ever visited Istambul can tell u it doesn't "feel" European/Balkan at all, it's like a different world compared to even Northern Greece, it's 100% Middle East).
DaliVinciBey@reddit
bosnia is a famous desert country in the region of shitholeistan-away-from-europe /s
andrija997@reddit
Hagia sophia is not on the Balkans?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
It quite literally is..
VisaSila@reddit
I'd say Kalemegdan/Belgrade Fortress, as a location, solely based on what it managed to survive
2000+ years, just, damn
What we can see today was largely reconstructed in 1720s by the Austrians, before that, I think it was Stefan Lazarevic around 1400s
Kalepox@reddit
Is that Kings Landing?
Natural_Scholar_1502@reddit
The Acrópolis is the plateau, the Parthenon 🏛️ is the structure
Ujemegaz@reddit
You missed the Rock
Processing img 9a8qjqg1ydwg1...
Los_de_Moose_4644@reddit
Don’t forget the monuments of Skopje.
kingofsteelington@reddit
Pula Arena could also fit. Its the only surviving roman amphitheater almost completely intact.
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
Somebody looked at that and thought: " you know what? let's add Decani Monestary in there."
Fickle-Message-6143@reddit
Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad. Also it is main setting of the Ivo Andrić's novel "Na Drini ćurpija"
Processing img u8c9o8e5xdwg1...
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
Decani monastery? Really?
Forsaken-Ebb145@reddit
Old Bridge in Mostar !
Savings_Cause5234@reddit
Manastir?
Glittery_Marshmallow@reddit
Đerdap
Beneficial-Code8026@reddit
Postojna Cave
qlwkerjqewlkr@reddit
is this a fucking joke or…
Full-Friendship1@reddit
Simonopetra monastery is one of the most impressive religious buildings in the world period. Also the Rotunda and Hosios Loukas.
fyate@reddit
kalemegdan
Maciek_XxX_2k8_XxX@reddit
Maybe not the greatest wonder but I love St. George's church in Topola.
SuperPatsavouras@reddit
All.
fasoBG@reddit
I would take a look at the Rila Monastery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rila_Monastery
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
I love Rila Monastery, but it's in the same category as Mount Athos and Meteora. I picked Meteora in this category!
RArchdukeGrFenwick@reddit
Stari Most, Mostar BiH
Substantial_Fly7244@reddit
The Ostrog monastery in Montenegro?
FlamosSnow@reddit
The Plitvicki lakes and Rila monastery
PersimmonTall8157@reddit
The monastery in Kosovo should be changed with the bridge in Mostar
OkoMushrooom@reddit
Remove Selimiye or Hagia (or both preferably) and replace it with Ohrid Europes oldest lake.
Antique_Birthday6380@reddit
I would have included Butrint there too.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Hmm, is it the best archeological site in the Balkans though? The Oracle of Delphi would be a better choice.
Saulgoodbroski@reddit
Butrint is a full sized town unearthed. Absolute marvel to behold
CrowGow@reddit
Well, Butrint remained reasonably populated until 16th century, so it's more than an ancient historical site. Delphi are cool, but they don't have that contrast of Greek/Roman/Venetian architecture.
Antique_Birthday6380@reddit
Well way better choice than some that you picked is for sure.
Delphi is the heavy hitter, but Butrint is the best 'all-in-one' site. It covers every era from the Bronze Age to the Venetians. If we’re talking about the cultural evolution of the Balkans, it’s a top contender.
Commercial_Law_1689@reddit
Guys we have too many to count.
SOHONEYSAME@reddit
lol
Pjeeeki@reddit
"Natural ones in another post" -Post history hidden...
BarskiPatzow@reddit
As much as ai love Dečani, Ostrog is more of a wonder.
Northern_rebel@reddit
From what I have seen: Sopoćani Monastery in Serbia, the churches of Ohrid in North Macedonia; the painted monasteries of Bucovina, Romania and the city of Berat in Albania.
Hefty_Jaguar4305@reddit
If the flooded island of Ada Kaleh still existed, it could also be included.
Inductiekookplaat@reddit
What is that monastery doing here?
LegioXI89@reddit
Why? Mosques are also there
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Lake Bled?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Very beautiful, but more or a natural wonder.
vlaada7@reddit
And also not on Balkans (even though small part of Slovenia is, technically speaking).
Beautiful-Dish-6275@reddit
Yeah ig ur right.
Poglavnik_Majmuna01@reddit
Just basing it off the 7 wonders of the world, Pula arena and Walls of Ston are likely worthy of making the list.
TightAd1489@reddit
Ostrog Monastery, Montenegro
slysmile@reddit
Predjama Castle, maybe?