On the Nišava riverbank, over the remains of a Roman military camp, later turned into a Roman town Naissus, and finally a small Byzantine and medieval fortification, the Turks built a strong fortress in the beginning of the 18th century. This fortification was constructed in the period 1719 – 1723. It was built utilizing coerced labor of the local people, and also the efforts of Istanbul stonecutters and bricklayers. Apart from well-preserved walls and gates, numerous facilities, dating from various periods, still remain inside: the armory, the Turkish steam bath, the Turkish post station, Bali- mosque, the powder magazine and the prison.
