Carigrad
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Carigrad | |
|---|---|
| The Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Country | Nikolia |
| Voivodeship | Moravia |
| Metropolitan prefecture | Metropolitan prefecture of Carigrad |
| Settled | 520 AD |
| Founded by | Uroš I |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Assembly of Carigrad |
| • Mayor | Tomislav Janketić (SDP) |
| Area | |
| • Capital city of Nikolia Metropolitan prefecture | 1,524 km2 (588 sq mi) |
| Population (2014) | |
| • Urban | 5,191,690 |
| • Metro | 9,542,112 |
| Demonym | Carigradian |
| Area code | +645 6724 |
| Website | www.carigrad.nk |
Carigrad (Serbian: [tsǎriɡraːd]), known historically as Stefanovgrad is capital of Nikolia and seat of the Voivodeship of Moravia. Lying on confluence of Dunaj and Vizelj rivers, it covers an area of 1,524 km2 (588 sq mi) and is home to 5,191,690 people, whilst its wider metropolitan area has 9,542,112 citizens.
Carigrad was founded in 520 AD as a defensive fortress named Ušće by King Uroš I. As the country expanded, Ušće fortress lost its initial purpose and was quickly nearly abandoned, whilst hills around the fort were settled by merchants, fishermen and farmers. It spent nearly 4 centuries as a merchant station for ships sailing Dunaj river, with less than 2000 inhabitants until 955 AD, when, according to the legend, Holy Emperor Stefan I had an encounter with Angel Gabriel who said that it is God's will to give him the imperial title and a city of unprecedented beauty on the confluence of the two mighty rivers. The angel also advised him to move the capital to that city, which he did.
Geography
History
Foundation
During the growth of medieval Nikolian Kingdom in 6th century AD towards east, the frontier eventually reached the place where Carigrad today lies. Thanks to its position on the confluence of Vizelj river in Dunaj river, and a hill overlooking the large plain towards the east, it was a perfect spot for a frontier fortress. In 520 AD King Uroš I orders the construction of the fort on top of the hill above the confluence of two rivers. The fort was called Ušće, after a Serbian word for confluence. The expanding of the Nikolian Kingdom proceeded, and quickly later the fort lost its purpose as the border moved further east. The fort was used for further 10 years as a garrison for units, but it was later abandoned as additional forts were constructed closer to the border. A group of villages and merchant communities were established around the fort, and they served as a stop for merchant ships between the cities further east and the capital west.
Medieval period
In 955 AD the Holy Emperor Stefan I (Then King Stefan II) upon returning from the Battle of the Three Kings refounded and expanded the fort by building a castle and moving the throne to this new city. He was later coronated as Emperor of the Nikolian lands, and the city was renamed Carigrad. According to the legend, Stefan I had an encounter with Angel Gabriel who said that it is God's will to give him the imperial title and a city of unprecedented beauty on the confluence of the two mighty rivers. He also advised him to move the capital to that city, which he did. During the 10th and 11th century Carigrad saw many construction projects: Imperial Palace of Carigrad, Imperial University of Carigrad and St. Nicholas monastery were constructed, as well as many houses and palaces around Dvorsko brdo.
Administration
Demographics
Economy
Culture
Carigrad is, culturally one of the richest cities in Nikolia. The city hosts 157 museums, ranging from entire palaces, most famous art galleries to small apartment museums dedicated to most famous Nikolian writers. The National Organization for Preservance of Historic Monuments (DOZIS) preserved and placed nearly 2,000 buildings under the protection of state, for their cultural and historical significance to Nikolia. The historic centre of Carigrad, together with several other historic parts of the city, such as Dvorsko brdo, as of 1991 are placed in ARCHO (Astyrian Regional Culture & Heritage Organisation) heritage list under the name Historic Centre of Carigrad and Surroundings.
Media
Education
Carigrad has four state universities and several private owned institutions of higher education. The Imperial University of Carigrad, founded in 1242 as the "Great Royal School" is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nikolia. Having most of the university buildings built in 18th and 19th century, the University buildings are a constituent part of Carigrad's architecture and cultural heritage. With having more than 200,000 students enrolled, the University is one of the largest in Astyria.
Transport
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Airports
Carigrad is serviced by two airports: Emperor Stefan I International Airport is the main international airport servicing the greater Carigrad area. With four runways, the airport handles around 65 million passengers annually. Second airport with focus on regional and national traffic is Strelinec Carigrad Airport, which is also used by the Nikolian Royal Air Force as an air base.
Road
Having a central position between the two major population centres, Carigrad serves as an intersection of two major corridors, one leading to the northern coast and the city of Nikolajevo (A21), and the other connecting Carigrad with Beograd and the eastern coast, the A1. To help remove the transiting traffic from Carigrad, the city has built throughout the years two ring roads, called magistral tangents (Sirmian: Magistralna tangenta). The innermost ring - Inner Magistral Tangent (Sirmian: Unutrašnja magistralna tangenta) was built in 1963, while the outermost ring was built between 1987 and 1998.
Urban transport
Public transport in Carigrad consists of a extensive tramway network operated by CGŽT and a sizeable number of bus routes operated by a mix of different operators. In 1952 Carigrad Metro was founded when the city built its first metro line, A line, connecting the airport with the city centre and the Dvorsko brdo area was constructed. Later on two more lines were constructed for a total of three lines with a total of 53 stations.
Rail
Carigrad is serviced by Carigrad Main railway station, which provides connections with most of the major cities in Nikolia and provides international connections, whereas the Carigrad Trošar railway station provides high speed rail services from Beograd (and Berique), Nikolajevo and Katowice.