Stone and brick Ottoman-era building with an arched porch and tiled roof among trees and ruins in a park

Heritage · Niš, Nišava District, southern Serbia

Niš – Fortress & Skull Tower

An 18th-century Ottoman fortress on Roman foundations and the haunting 1809 Skull Tower in Serbia's third city

Photo: Milica (@milica90) / Unsplash

Discover Niš – Fortress & Skull Tower

Niš has a long and layered past, and its story is written in stone right at the centre of town. On the bank of the Nišava River stands Niš Fortress, an 18th-century Ottoman stronghold built over Roman, Byzantine and medieval forts. Its long walls and gates now enclose a shady park where locals stroll, children play and summer concerts fill the evenings.

A short ride east, the Skull Tower (Ćele kula) is a very different kind of monument. Built from the skulls of Serbian rebels after the Battle of Čegar in 1809, it is today enclosed within a chapel, a quiet, moving place that speaks of the struggle for Serbian independence. Together the two sites offer a vivid introduction to the layered history of southern Serbia.

Don’t miss

01Stambol Gate, the monumental main entrance to Niš Fortress
02The Bali-Bey Mosque inside the fortress, now an art gallery and summer stage
03Fortress walls, bastions, gunpowder magazines and conserved Roman ruins
04The Skull Tower, with 58 of the original 952 skulls still set in its walls
05Bust of Stevan Sinđelić and a relief of the Battle of Čegar in front of the Skull Tower chapel

History & culture

The story of Niš – Fortress & Skull Tower

The present Niš Fortress was built by the Ottomans between 1719 and 1723 on the site of earlier Roman, Byzantine and medieval fortifications, reusing some of their stones. Its walls run for about 2.1 km around some 22 hectares, with eight bastions and four gates, including the Stambol Gate facing the city. Inside, the Bali-Bey Mosque survives, now used as an art gallery and summer stage, together with gunpowder magazines, an arsenal and Roman remains. The fortress has been legally protected since 1948.

In May 1809, during the First Serbian Uprising, Serbian rebels led by Stevan Sinđelić were defeated by Ottoman forces at Čegar Hill near Niš. Afterwards the Ottomans built the skulls of the fallen into a tower as a warning: 952 skulls in 14 rows on each side. Only 58 remain today. A chapel was built around the tower from 1892, and a bust of Sinđelić stands outside. The Skull Tower is a cultural monument of exceptional importance and is cared for by the National Museum of Niš.

Local life & traditions

Niš is a lively university city with a strong café culture, and the pedestrian streets just across the river from the fortress fill with people from morning to late evening. Grilled meat is a staple of local menus; travellers seeking halal food should ask locally, as most grills are not halal-certified. The Skull Tower holds deep meaning for Serbs as a symbol of sacrifice in the uprisings against Ottoman rule, so visitors are asked to behave quietly and respectfully there.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start at the Stambol Gate and wander the fortress park at your own pace, following the walls to the bastions and looking out over the Nišava River. Inside you will find the Bali-Bey Mosque building, now a gallery, along with Roman remains and old Ottoman military buildings. In summer the fortress becomes a festival venue, hosting the long-running Niš Film Festival and the Nišville jazz festival.

Take a taxi or local bus east to the Skull Tower, where a short visit is enough to take in the chapel and the remaining skulls. Visitors with more time can add Mediana, the remains of a Roman imperial residence on the eastern edge of the city, associated with Constantine the Great, who was born in Naissus, as Niš was then called.

When to go

Niš can be visited year-round. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable for walking around the fortress and the city. July and August are hot but bring the summer festival season, when the fortress hosts film and music events; dates are announced each year by the organisers. Winters are cold but rarely prevent sightseeing.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Skull Tower address: Generala Milojka Lešjanina 14, 18105 Niš; managed by the National Museum of Niš Source: narodnimuzejnis.rs ↗
Skull Tower facts: Originally 952 skulls in 14 rows on each side; 58 preserved today Source: narodnimuzejnis.rs ↗
Niš Fortress gates: Four entrances: Stambol, Belgrade, Vidin and Large Gate Source: serbia.travel ↗
Bali-Bey Mosque: Former mosque inside the fortress, now used as an art gallery and summer stage Source: serbia.travel ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

The fortress park is in the city centre, a short walk from the main pedestrian streets.
The Skull Tower lies east of the centre; a taxi or city bus is the easiest way there.
Behave quietly and respectfully at the Skull Tower, which is a memorial to the dead.
Visit the fortress in the early morning or late afternoon in summer to avoid the midday heat.
Check the National Museum of Niš for current opening hours and tickets before visiting the Skull Tower.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Niš – Fortress & Skull Tower: food, markets & places to stay

Central Niš, across the bridge from the fortress, has hotels, shops and cafés. Niš Constantine the Great Airport serves the city, and buses and trains link Niš with Belgrade and other Serbian cities. Mediana, the Roman imperial residence, lies on the eastern edge of town, and Đerdap National Park and Kopaonik are both reachable by road for longer trips.