On Location: The Belgrade Fortress on TNT's THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER

Geek Girl Authority

27-05-2025

Welcome to On Location , a weekly feature spotlighting landmarks and establishments seen on screen that viewers can visit IRL. Whether you're seeking a fun selfie, breathtaking vistas, or maybe a show-accurate treat, follow along for some bucket list destinations.
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The Librarians: The Next Chapter premiered on May 25 on TNT. This sequel series to the original The Librarians series takes place in Belgrade, Serbia, and — joy of joys — it was filmed ENTIRELY on location. Central to the series is protagonist Vikram Chamberlain's (Callum McGowan) Annex. Housed in the 'Belgrade Castle,' which team member, Lysa Pascal (Olivia Morris), inherits in the premiere episode, the impressive structure is, in reality, the Military Museum entrance of the Belgrade Fortress. Image Courtesy of TNT The Belgrade Fortress on The Librarians: The Next Chapter
Fans of The Librarians know that a Librarian's Annex is their access point to the Main Library, an extra-dimensional repository of infinite resources. In The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 Episode 1, 'And the Deadly Drekavac,' Vikram unleashes the magic of the Belgrade Castle's well to revive his Annex. This kicks off a whole host of challenges as the magic floods the city and the surrounding area.
The premiere also boasts guest star Christian Kane reprising his The Librarians character, Jacob Stone, who probably regrets rescuing Vikram from the time bubble he activated in 1847. He spends a lot of time in said well, trying to seal off the magical stream.
RELATED: Catch up with our recap of the premiere episode of The Librarians: The Next Chapter , 'And the Deadly Drekavac'
While most of the interiors were shot in a Serbian studio, there is one spectacular shot of The Belgrade Fortress's actual 'Roman well'. (Fun fact: not actually Roman, nor was it dug for water.) In the series premiere, Vikram gazes down into it from the viewing platform before running down into the (studio-based) well's bottom to dig out the magic. As one does. Image Courtesy of TNT Visiting the Belgrade Fortress
The Belgrade Fortress is the oldest section of Belgrade's urban core. It consists of the old citadel and the Kalemegdan Park. The old citadel itself is divided into Upper and Lower Town. The history of the fortress is the history of Belgrade itself. This goes back to the 3rd Century BCE when the settlement was a Celtic fortification, Singadunum.
Most of the Belgrade Fortress attractions are in the Upper Town. Here, you can find the aforementioned Roman Well, the Military Bunker, the Casemats (a display of medieval torture devices), and the Sahat Kapia Gallery. From April 1 to September 30, doors are open from 11 am to 7 pm with admission costs ranging from free (Gallery) to 400 RSD (approximately 4 USD). In the winter months, hours change to 10 am to 5 pm.
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Belgrade is a modern city that uses technology and commerce to further its historical and cultural depth. If you're not quite ready to hop into a plane for a visit, there's an online virtual tour. All the information you could want about the audio guide is available here. Souvenirs are available at three conveniently located shops throughout the fortress. The largest selection appears to be in the Gallery – Souvenir Shop in Inner Stambol Gate at the Upper Town. Image Credit: Belgrade Fortress Something For Everyone
The Belgrade Fortress is truly an all-encompassing space. For children, there are two outdoor playgrounds, the Belgrade Zoo (known as The White Zoo and Garden of Good Hope), and a Dino Park. Additionally, there are two sets of basketball courts and one tennis court.
Five diverse dining options are available within the fortress. The Mali Kalemegdan restaurant serves traditional Serbian dishes, while the Bitef Art Cafe offers bites to enjoy while taking in a wide variety of live music performances. Go clubbing at The Boho Bar, indulge in fine dining at The Kalemegdan Terrace, or kick back and relax at the Caffe Pobednik.
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The fortress rings out with music for much of the summer months. The flat grounds below the fortress is a popular concert venue, having showcased A-list performers such as Amy Winehouse, Whitesnake, and Iron Maiden in the past. Morrissey and Billy Idol are on the schedule for the summer of 2025. The basketball courts also double as concert spaces, and the Barutana space near the bottom of the fortress often hosts electronic dance music performances. Image Credit: Big Cloudt Annex Access ≠ Roman Well
For a photo op, fans of The Librarians: The Next Chapter will want to head to the Military Museum in the southwestern area of Upper Town. Adult admission tickets cost 350 RSD. However, be warned, the 'Roman Well' is not located through this entrance. You'll find that about a ten-minute walk away.
The Military Museum does boast a collection of over 3000 items of historical military significance. The artifacts date from ancient times, as well as more modern eras. Keen-eyed viewers will spot their outside displays (tanks, cannons, etc.) in the background as Vikram and his team rush about on various missions.
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Everything about filming The Librarians: The Next Chapter on location at The Belgrade Fortress reflects the message of the series. It's very meta that the fictional Library would house an Annex in a real-life space of history and culture. As described on the Belgrade Fortress website: 'Together, the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park represent a cultural monument of exceptional importance, a venue for numerous sports, cultural and artistic events, a place of entertainment and recreation for all generations of Belgraders and the increasingly numerous visitors to the city.'
The Librarians: The Next Chapter 's series premiere event concludes May 26 on TNT after NBA playoff coverage. Starting June 6, new episodes will air Mondays at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET.
New TV Shows This Week (May 25 – 31) Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.