Ćele Kula

tower, Niš, Serbia

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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The Ćele Kula (Tower of Skulls) is a monument located in Niš, Serbia. It was constructed by the Ottoman Turks using the skulls of Serbian soldiers who died in the Battle of Čegar in 1809 during the First Serbian Uprising.1

The tower serves as a grim reminder of the Serbian struggle for independence against Ottoman rule. It is a significant historical site, symbolizing the sacrifices made for freedom. The monument is a part of the city of Niš's historical landscape, which has seen various rulers and conflicts throughout its long history, including Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Ottoman periods.1

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Niš
…the ruins of the Turkish-built Ćele Kula (Tower of Skulls) are embedded the skulls of more than 900 of the Serbs who fell at the Battle of Čegar. The Serbian army liberated Niš in 1877, and the town was ceded to them by the Treaty of Berlin (1878). In World…
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…the ruins of the Turkish-built Ćele Kula (Tower of Skulls) are embedded the skulls of more than 900 of the Serbs who fell at the Battle of Čegar. The Serbian army liberated Niš in 1877, and the town was ceded to them by the Treaty of Berlin (1878). In World…
Read More