Today’s Serbia’s first Smart City traces its roots to ancient times, being at an unofficial boundary between East and West since the days of the Roman Empire! The ancient Naissus hosts the birthplace of Emperor Constantin (AD 272 – 337), which can still be visited at the Mediana archaeological site. The city was then conquered by the Ottomans, who left the imperious Fortress that still has a 16th century mosque inside, and the eye-opening Skull Tower, built to warn against uprisings. Need to relax? Then enjoy a walk in the quaint cobblestone Tinker Alley! Here, amazing cafes and restaurants have now replaced the tinkers from the last surviving craftsmen’s quarter, where tinsmithing was continued until 1990. And don’t miss a meal at a kafana, the typical Balkan tavern, combining tasty food and live entertainment. The city of Niš isn’t only of historical interest, though! A project to implement smart city infrastructure is already underway, and the city uses data for traffic management, the monitoring of air quality and the reducing losses in the electricity grid.
It’s incredible to discover that this city’s current modern look is the result of a massive earthquake that destroyed a big part of the city in 1963. Yet, Skopje still hosts some rests of Neolithic settlements within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city centre! Take a walk and get lost among the traditional craft shops of the fascinating Old Bazaar, one of the Balkans' largest markets. From there, make sure to visit the Stone Bridge, one of the main symbols of the city, built in the 15th century on Roman foundations. As for the night life, Skopje can satisfy any taste thanks to a wide range of bars and clubs! And if you want to discover more, just download the application “My Skopje” and read about local events, happenings, and news - just to name a few. The application is a key part of the last phase of the Skopje Smart City project, aimed at ensuring a better life through innovative and advanced technology, including a healthier environment, better services, and better communication with citizens. North Macedonia has also made a strong commitment to the younger generation. The country is investing MKD 150 million (about EUR 2 500 000) into providing digital retraining thanks to the active involvement of a Digital Forum comprised of university ICT representatives, the chambers of commerce, ICT experts and government representatives.
Is yoghurt the only thing you know about Bulgaria? If so, take a spoon in your backpack and snap away to Sofia! The capital city of Bulgaria is full of exciting things to see, try and eat! While in Sofia, we recommend taking a free food tour with the Balkan bites company. As you will wander in this beautiful city, you’ll stop at 5 different stores and restaurants to teach you about the uniqueness of Bulgarian food. And if you prefer to discover the city on your own, download Sofia’s interactive map! The Bulgarian capital is on its way to becoming a smart city. Sofia participated in the initiative Digital Cities Challenge of the European Commission to create its new Big Data Centre of Excellence. The capital also installed 22 high-class wireless access points, providing free 100 Mbit/s Wi-Fi.
Are you a passionate of Ottoman architecture? Then Edirne is the place to go! Elected capital of Ottoman empire in 1363, the city hosts the Selimiye Mosque, UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. From there, you can easily walk to the Ali Pasha Bazaar, the traditional covered market with over 130 vendors, and check out the hyper-realistic meyve sabunu, the fruit-shaped soaps Edirne is known for in Turkey. In June or July, lovers of cultural events can enjoy the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, a three-day event dedicated to a sport having its roots back to the 14th century. Edirne is also making its way as a smart city into smart mobility thanks to the introduction of Intelligent ] Transportation Systems
Among the largest cities in the world, Istanbul is a multifaceted jewel hosting the marks of several cultures. You can start your journey by visiting the unmissable cathedral Hagia Sophia, the greatest architectural achievement of the Byzantine empire. From there, you are just spoilt for choice! On one side, you have the picturesque Blue Mosque which is only a few steps away. On the other side, you can find the sumptuous Topkapi Palace with its breath-taking decorations: a stunning display of Islamic art. Besides the artistic marvels testifying to the city's glorious past, Istanbul is also paving its path to the future. The city started a wide-ranging digitisation programme focusing on eight areas including mobility, environment and governance, relying on strategic objectives for the improvement of the quality of life.
