Ram Fortress

Ram Fortress
Тврђава Рам
Tvrđava Ram
Ram, Veliko Gradište
Serbia
Ram Fortress
Ram Fortress
Тврђава Рам
Tvrđava Ram
Coordinates 44°48′46″N 21°19′49″E / 44.812845°N 21.330298°E / 44.812845; 21.330298Coordinates: 44°48′46″N 21°19′49″E / 44.812845°N 21.330298°E / 44.812845; 21.330298
Site information
Owner Municipality of Veliko Gradište
Open to
the public		 Yes
Condition Good
Site history
Built 1483
Built by Bayezid II (ordered by)
In use No
Materials Stone

The Ram Fortress (Serbian: Тврђава Рам / Tvrđava Ram) is a 15th century fort situated on a steep slope on the right bank of the Danube, in the village of Ram, municipality of Veliko Gradište, eastern Serbia. The fortress is located on a rock, which is from the northeast side tilted towards the Danube. It is assumed that the city was built on the opposite side from Haram fortress, which was located across the Danube and left no remnants. The remains of the city are in good condition.[1][2][3][4]

Locality

The fortress is located on the bend of the Danube, right across the mouths of the Karaš and Nera rivers, at Danube's 1,075 km (668 mi). West of the fortress are lower (69 m (226 ft) high), marshy areas of the Danube's right bank, including the islands of Čibuklija and Ostrvo. East of Ram, the terrain elevates to 282 m (925 ft), at the Gorica Hill.[5]

The widening of the Danube at the mouths of Karaš and Nera was known as a Ram Lake. When the hydroelectrical plant Đerdap I began to fill its reservoir in the late 1960s, due to the backwater of the Danube, the widening grew and flooded surrounding plains. The wetland, covering 50 km2 (19 sq mi), became known as Labudovo okno.[6] Today, the habitat is protected by the IUCN Category IV and was declared a Ramsar wetland of international importance on 1 May 2006.[7]

History

The location was referenced for the first time during the reign of emperor Trajan, when it was mentioned as a settlement where the cavalry units were stationed. The earliest record of Ram Fortress dates back to 1128 AD, when the Byzantines army defeated the Hungarians in the area. After victories in this region, Byzantine army have focused their activities on the Pannonian Basin.[1]

In order to protect the right bank of the Danube Ottoman sultan Bayezid II (1480-1512) revised and strengthened the existing fortress for fighting firearms. Built in 1483, Ram Fortress is one of the oldest artillery forts in Serbia.[1][8]

Concurrently with the fortress, a caravanserai was built in its vicinity. In time, it grew into the modern village of Ram. The interior of the fortress was demolished during the Koča's frontier rebellion in 1788.

The majority of fortress, as it is today, originate from the 17th and 18th century, from the periods of frequent Austro-Turkish wars. The fortress was damaged in both World Wars.[8]

Architecture

Is not known when the original city was built, but it certainly is one of the oldest forts in this region. Sultan Bayazid II built the present fortifications in the form of a regular pentagon with the maximum length of 34 m (112 ft) and width of 26 m (85 ft), designed to withstand cannon warfare. The city consists of 5 towers at four levels (three floors and the ground floor), three on the east and two on the western rampart. Apart from the place, where the fortress is entered, there are four corner towers. The side towards and fort are surrounded by a low wall and wide dry moat in front of it. City entrance is at the keep tower (donžon), which is located in the southwestern side of the fort. Masonry fireplaces, rare in the medieval buildings of this region, are preserved in them. Over city's moat lies a bridge which is located at the southeastern tower, and that leads to a space between the fortress and the low walls around it. On all the ramparts except the West one, the embrasures are placed at the same distance from the tower.[1][9]

Interior
Ram Fortress overlooking the Labudovo okno

Present

As of February 2018, the Ram Fortress is in very good condition. The towers are in good state, except for the Southeast (Tower II), whose front part is almost completely destroyed. Ramparts of the fortress are also in good condition, while the small bulwark is present in trace amounts. Inside the fort, along the western rampart, lies remains a building, with a base of proper octagon, with sides length of 3 m (9.8 ft). The whole area around the fortress was archaeologically examined during the 1980s. A plan for the reconstruction of Ram fortress was adopted in 2013.[10]

Further exploration of the interior ensued in 2015, followed by the renovation. First, the fortress and its vicinity were thoroughly cleaned. After exploring almost 70% of the fortress, archaeologists reached the original floor. Several edifices from the 16th to the 18th century were discovered, from the period when Ram already wasn't functioning as a military camp anymore. Rifles from the 17th century, small arms, tools and vessels were also found. Some other artifacts point to the cultural function of the fortress, like glass and Chinese porcelain. After restoration, all the items will be exhibited in the fortress.[8]

Restoration covered three towers and four walls. The towers IV and V were renovated while the Tower II, which is in worst shape, was partially reconstructed. Its foundations were repaired and it was rebuilt to the roof level, including the embrasures in the walls. By February 2018, several phases of archaeological works (phase IV) and renovation (phase I), or 60% of planned work, was done. Further works require more archaeological digging and a proposed design of the interior. It was planned that the restoration will be finished by July 2018, adaptation of the fortress by December 2019 while the renovation of the remains of the old caravanserai is planned, too.[8]

In order to boost the tourism, a pier on the Danube is also projected. Ministry of culture plans to adapt the entire village of Ram into the eco-museum.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 http://spomenicikulture.mi.sanu.ac.rs Official website. Аccessed on 16. 6. 2014
  2. ↑ http://virtuelnimuzejdunava.rs Ram Fortress article Аccessed on 16. 6. 2014
  3. ↑ http://www.cooperation.rs Ram Fortress article Аccessed on 16. 6. 2014
  4. ↑ http://srpska.etleboro.com Fortresses on the Danube-article Аccessed on 16. 6. 2014
  5. ↑ Turističko područje Beograda. Geokarta. 2007. ISBN 86-459-0099-8.
  6. ↑ Bogdan Ibrajter (24 December 2017). "Ptice Labudovog okna" [The birds of Labudovo okno]. Politika (in Serbian).
  7. ↑ "Svetski dan vlažnih područja Dan Ramsara 2 Februar 2015" (in Serbian).
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Olivera Milošević (19 January 2018). "Obnova srednjovekovne tvrđave Ram" [Renovation of the medieval Ram fortress]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 14.
  9. ↑ http://www.velikogradiste.org.rs Ram Fortress article Аccessed on 16.6.2014.
  10. ↑ Рамска тврђава може да привуче туристе (in Serbian) b92.net Accessed on 25. 4. 2013.


  • “Yugoslavia, Monuments of Art,” by Lazar Trifunovic, published from Belgrade in the year 1988
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