Ružica Church () is a Serbian Orthodox church located in the Belgrade Fortress, in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Original church was built in the early 15th century, while the modern one was adapted in 1869 and fully reconstructed in 1925. It is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary. With its location within the fortress and water spring of Saint Petka, constant crowds of visitors especially on Saint Petka's feast day, and unorthodox appearance, it is considered one of the "best loved churches among the adherents". Location The church is located in the eastern outer bailey of the fortress, between the Zindan Gate's northern arched tower wall on the south, and Jakšić Tower on the north, both towering above the church. It is situated along the downhill, partially stepped path, which connects the Upper Town of the fortress (section between the Zindan and Leopold's gates) and the Lower Town. Along the path, just to the southeast, is Belgrade Planetarium, while the path continues to the Nebojša Tower and the Sava bank. History Predecessor The origin of the church is obscured. The church probably existed in the medieval period, during Despot Stefan Lazarević's reign in Belgrade (1402-1427), but the exact circumstances about its construction - when it was built and by whom - are unknown. Though today sometimes named as the oldest preserved church in Belgrade, it is not known whether despot Stefan built a new church, reconstructed the existing ruin, nor where the church was located. As a result, several myths about its origins developed. According to one, three sisters, Ružica, Cveta and Marica, built three churches within the fortress complex and each was named after one of the sisters. Urban myth developed by which the residents of Dorćol, Belgrade's neighborhood which leans on the fortress complex, claimed that the remains of one of those tree churches can still be observed from the river level. Allegedly, the remains are right under the northern outer bailey, in the central section of the slope between the Defterdar Gate and Nebojša Tower. Another origin story, described by Gregory Tsamblak in the 15th century, place construction of the church in 1403. Princess Milica and nun Jefimija pleaded to the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, also Milica's son-in-law, who eventually granted the permission for the remains of the Saint Petka to be transferred to Serbia before his loss of throne in 1402 probably granting it in