Niš

Niš

 or Nish

City (pop., 2002: 173,724), southeast of Belgrade, Serbia. The ancient Roman city was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. It was the birthplace of Constantine I (c. 280), who adorned it with many buildings. Bomb damage in World War II and postwar construction erased much of its Turko-Byzantine style. It was held at various periods by Bulgarians, Hungarians, and Turks. During the Turkish period it became an important station on the route from Istanbul to Hungary. It was ceded to Serbia by the Treaty of Berlin in 1878 and was its capital for a period. It is a railroad junction and commercial centre.