52 weekends in serbia

7/31/2019 52 Weekends in Serbia

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/52-weekends-in-serbia 1/116

52

National Tourism

Organisation

of Serbia

www.srbija.travel

SerbiaWeekends in



1.

2.3.

4.

5. 6.

7.

8.

9.

10.12.

13.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.21.

22.

23.24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.31.

32.

33.

34.

35. 36.

37.38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

46.

47.

48.49.

50.

51.

52.

45.

14. 11.

1 BELGRADE, MLADENOVAC2 NOVI SAD, SREMSKI KARLOVCI3 BAČKI PETROVAC, BAČKA PALANKA, BAČ4 SUBOTICA, PALIĆ, KANJIŽA5 SOMBOR, BEZDAN, APATIN6 BAČKA TOPOLA, MALI IĐOŠ, SRBOBRAN7 ODŽACI, KULA, VRBAS8 KIKINDA, BEČEJ, NOVI BEČEJ9 ZRENJANIN, ŽABALJ, TITEL10 PANČEVO, KOVAČICA11 VRŠAC, BELA CRKVA12 IRIG, INĐIJA13 RUMA, PEĆINCI14 SREMSKA MITROVICA, ŠID15 TOPOLA, OPLENAC, ARANĐELOVAC16 KRAGUJEVAC, KNIĆ

17 LJIG, GORNJI MILANOVAC18 ČAČAK, LUČANI19 ŠABAC, BOGATIĆ, LOZNICA20 KRUPANJ, KOCELJEVA, VLADIMIRCI,

MALI ZVORNIK21 OSEČINA, LJUBOVIJA

22 VALJEVO, DIVČIBARE, MIONICA, LAJKOVAC,

UB23 UŽICE, POŽEGA, KOSJERIĆ24 BAJINA BAŠTA, TARA25 ČAJETINA, ZLATIBOR26 NOVA VAROŠ, ZLATAR, PRIJEPOLJE, PRIBOJ27 IVANJICA, GOLIJA, ARILJE28 NOVI PAZAR, SJENICA, TUTIN29 RAŠKA, KOPAONIK30 KRALJEVO31 VRNJAČKA BANJA32 TRSTENIK, ALEKSANDROVAC33 BRUS, KOPAONIK34 KRUŠEVAC, VARVARIN, ĆIĆEVAC35 JAGODINA, ĆUPRIJA36 PARAĆIN, DESPOTOVAC

37 SMEDEREVO, SMEDEREVSKA PALANKA,VELIKA PLANA

38 POŽAREVAC, KOSTOLAC, MALO CRNIĆE,PETROVAC

39 KUČEVO, ŽAGUBICA

40 VELIKO GRADIŠTE, GOLUBAC

41 DONJI MILANOVAC, MAJDANPEK,KLADOVO42 BOR, NEGOTIN43 ZAJEČAR, BOLJEVAC44 SOKOBANJA45 NIŠ, ALEKSINAC46 KNJAŽEVAC, SVRLJIG47 PIROT, STARA PLANINA48 VLASOTINCE, BABUŠNICA,

DIMITROVGRAD, CRNA TRAVA49 LESKOVAC, LEBANE, BOJNIK50 PROKUPLJE, KURŠUMLIJA51 SURDULICA, VLADIČIN HAN52 VRANJE, BUJANOVAC

National Tourism

Organisation

of Serbia

www.serbia.travel

Kosovo and MetohijaResolution 1244



I c y hv y hv’ hd,S h xc

w d Ep.

Whh y dy v S

p v, w hv

d 52 Wkd S

hp y p y pc wkd

xc!

LANGUAGE REMARK

I S, w cp – d d

c Cyc, d h L c 30

pp d wc , whch

-dd h Eh ph. Thy h

c dcc k k c ( ˇ ) hčk,c cc ( ´ ), k ( – ), py

dph – p chc d w

ph dc d. Fw h

wh ppx pc:

Č, č – k ‹ch› “ch”

Ć, ć – wh k h ‹ch› “chw”

Dž, dž – k h ‹j› “jp”

Đ, đ – h ‹j› “j” [

w Dj, dj]Lj, j – k ‹› “”

Nj, j – k ‹› “cc” ‹y› “cy”

Š, š – k ‹h› “hp”

Ž, ž – k h ‹› “”

52 Amazing Weekends in Serbia!

National Tourism Organisation o Serbia

Whh y h k

ch v cy , d

h k pdd

cy hy h

q dcv xc wc, 52 Wkd S pckd

wh py d p y

wy. W hv cdd dcp

cy c, ,

p, d c d v

.

52 Wkd S dvdd

phc :

Bd d d,

Vjvd, W S d

E S. Ech wkd

cd c h,

cv, hhh d

p h - d -d

cd. W v y xp S. A dv

w y vy c!



Serbia’s capital city is a modern metropolis with a popula-tion o over two million. Belgrade’s position at the conuenceo the Danube and Sava rivers has made it a strategic port o call at the crossroads o eastern and western civilizations sinceancient times. Today, Belgrade is home to Serbia’s most impor-tant state, cultural and academic institutions. The city boastsrobust industry and good inrastructure. Moreover, Belgradehas become an increasingly popular tourist destination.

SIGHTSKalemegdan Fortress and Surroundings

Any visit to Belgrade should begin at Kalemegdan Fortress,the city’s most historic site. The ortress, perched on the whiterocks above the conuence (Ušće) o the Danube and Sava,has been conquered 77 times and destroyed and rebuilt againand again during its 7,000-year history. Today Kalemegdan’sgrounds eature a military museum, an observatory, the Cvi-

jeta Zuzorić Art Pavilion, a zoo, a promenade, park, picnic areaand a sports and amusement park.

Just beyond Kalemegdan lies Belgrade’s historic centre,where you can visit the 1831 residence o Princess Ljubica (Kon-ak kneginje Ljubice), the Cathedral Church (Saborna crkva)

o St. Michael the Archangel and the Patriarchy (Patrijaršija).The Manak’s House (Manakova kuća), the only reestandingborough home remaining in the city, eatures an impressiveethnological collection. A ew streets away you will nd theBajrakli Mosque (Bajrakli džamija), the oldest surviving placeo worship in the city (1660–1668). The neighbourhood boasts

some o the best preserved old-ashioned taverns in the city,including “?” which dates back to 1823. The tavern’s name haschanged as oten as its owners. Over the years “?” has beencalled Toma’s Tavern, At the Sheppard and At the CathedralChurch. When its most recent owner ailed to come up witha new name, he temporarily erected a “?” sign on the building’saçade. Eventually its clientele accepted the name and it re-mains to this day.

Knez Mihailova: Pedestrian ParadiseKnez Mihailova, Belgrade’s best-known street and pedes-trian zone, is located just a ew strides rom Kalemegdan. Oneo the most vibrant parts o the city, Knez Mihailova eaturesshops, residences and national institutions like the SerbianAcademy o Sciences and Arts and its Gallery (Galerija SANU)and Albania Palace (Palata Albanija), Belgrade’s rst skyscrap-er. On this street you will also nd the Belgrade City Library,which is housed in the 1869 Serbian Crown Hotel (Srpska Kru-na), the rst European-style hotel in Belgrade. The 1906 Mos-cow Hotel (Hotel Moskva) and the 1869 Terazije Fountain areboth nearby.

Monuments GaloreBelgrade has erected numerous monuments to honour

the heroes o its long and rich history. Located at Circle Num-ber Two (Krug dvojke), the monuments include Nikola Tesla, Josi Pančić, Svetozar Marković, Dositej Obradović and VukKaradžić. The most amous, in honour o Prince Mihailo is lo-cated at Republic Square. The monument also marks the be-ginning o Prince Mihailo Street.

1. BELGRADE, MLADENOVAC

All R oads Lead to



the White C ity

Republic Square is a avourite central meeting point orlocals, and is just down the street rom the National Mu-seum (1903) and the National Theatre (1869). You will nd

numerous restaurants and caé gardens are nearby. Skadarlija: Bohemian Wonderland

Skadarlija, Belgrade’s bohemian quarter lies close tothe city centre. The neighbourhood ourished in the 19thcentury when its taverns became popular jaunts or thecity’s artists and bohemians. Skadarlija bears a striking re-semblance to Paris’s Montmartre neighbourhood.

The jovial atmosphere o Skadarlija’s taverns, includ-ing Tri šešira (Three Hats), Ima dana (Days to come), Dva

jelena (Two Deer), Skadarlija, Zlatni bokal (Golden carae)and Dva bela goluba (Two White Doves), conjure up spiritso Serbia’s past. Enjoy Serbia’s national dishes to the soundo traditional olk music in any o these historic locales.

– A tour o Kalemegdan Fortress– Lunch near the Miloš Residence (Milošev konak) in Topčider Park – Swimming and sunbathing at Sava Lake

WE RECOMMEND:

The Heart of Belgrade:City Centre, King Alexander Boulevard, the White Court and St. Sava Temple

Belgrade has two royal compounds: the Royal and the WhiteCourt are located in the Dedinje neighbourhood, while Pioneers’Park (Park Pionira) lies in the city centre. Built or Milan Obrenovićin 1882, Pioneer’s Park includes the ormer Old Court that is now

Belgrade City Hall. Constructed between 1912 and 1920, the NewCourt is currently the residence o the Serbian presidency. Thenearby National Parliament (1907) compliments the royal archi-tecture.

St. Mark’s Church (Crkva Svetog Marka) marks the start o Bel-grade’s longest street – the amous King Alexander Boulevard (Bu-levar kralja Aleksandra). Built in 1935, the church overlooks the en-trance to Tašmajdan Park. The church’s crypt contains the tombs o Tsar Stean Dušan, King Aleksandar Obrenović and Queen Draga.There is a small Russian Orthodox Church just behind the church.

Nearby, the 23-oor, 100-metre tall Beograđanka building iseasily recognisable rom any city corner in Belgrade.

The St. Sava Temple (Hram Svetog Save), the largest Christianorthodox temple in the Balkans, lies on the Vračar Plateau. Thetemple includes the smaller St. Sava Church on its grounds. An im-

pressive monument to Karađorđe is located in ront o this houseo worship, while the Serbian National Library lies on the right sideo the grounds.

Belgrade has a plethora o museums, all o which are open tothe public and even during the evenings every autumn and spring,during the Night o the Museums.

New Belgrade and ZemunCross the Sava into New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) and you will

nd yoursel in the city’s new central business district. New Bel-grade eatures the impressive Belgrade Arena and the Sava coner-ence centre, home to a plethora o events year-round.

Formerly known as Taurunum, present day Zemun is locatedbeside the mighty Danube. It is named ater the dugouts (zemu-nice) which housed Zemun’s rst settlers. Zemun’s most appealing

sights include Gardoš, the Sundial House, the Karamata Family

1.BELGRADE



House, the Ičko House, the Spirta House Museum, the Houseo Dimitrije Davidović, the Nikolajevska Church, the 18th cen-tury Church o the Holy Trinity and, along the riverbank, the OldPort Authority Building.Nearby is a splendidpromenade dotted withsh restaurants.

ACTIVITIESFestivals, Recreation andNightlife

Belgrade has a widearray o accommoda-tion acilities, rangingrom the most luxuri-ous hotels to high qual-ity hostels, all o whichmeet the needs o thecity’s visitors. Belgradealso hosts some o the

most intriguing eventsand estivals, includingBELEF, BEMUS, FESTand the Short Film Fes-tival.

In the past ew yearsBelgrade has gainedprominence or hosting the Boat Carnival in August, the Bel-grade Marathon, Bicycle Race, Rollerblade Race (Rolerijada) andBelgrade Beer Fest.

Belgrade has some o the best nightlie in Europe, particularlyon the oating restaurants and nightclubs o the Sava, Danubeand Ada Ciganlija. A partial peninsula on the River Sava someour kilometres rom the city centre, Ada Ciganlija (Isle o Gypsy)

1. БЕОГРАД, МЛАДЕНОВАЦ

Located at Kalemegdan ortress behind King’s Gate, the Roman Well dates back to 1721, when it was reconstruct-ed by occupying Austrians to gain its present day appearance. Dug into the rock o the ortress, it is 62 metresdeep and 10 metres below the water level o the Sava and Danube. The brick layered ground level is accessible viaa spiral staircase.

ROMAN WELL

is one o Belgrade’s mostpopular spots. Boastingover 50 sports acilities,Ada even has a gol courseand cable waterskiing.

The Belgrade BoatCompany manages three

large boats. The YachtingClub has two catamaranswith seating capacities o 70 and 100, while there arealso two luxurious boats:Sirona and Danuvije.

You can experience Bel-grade by driting over thecityscape in a hot air bal-loon and can also practiceany number o sports inthe city’s approximately1,000 sporting acilities.

Museum quality vintage trains will transport you to anumber o destinations originating in Belgrade. Experience

a steam engine ride to Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, Palić,Vršac, Požarevac, Smederevo or Vrnjačka Banja on the Ro-mance (Romantika) train. Josip Tito’s Blue Train (Plavi voz)will take you to Užice, Subotica or Vrnjačka Banja.

Green BelgradeBelgrade has an impressive 15 hunting grounds and

approximately 65 public parks, including Kalemegdan,Tašmajdan, Studentski, Karađorđev, Park prijateljstva(Friendship Park), Hajd Park, Topčider and Košutnjak.Košutnjak Park, known as the Lungs o the City, eaturestwo unique grounds: the Sports and Recreational CentrePioneer City (Pionirski grad) and Film City (Filmski grad),with various acilities or shooting movies.

When building his residence in 1831, Prince Miloš also



planted a garden. Today it is known as Topčider Park, which overlooks

Košutnjak. The original trees planted to surround the residence are stillthriving. Just outside the city, Kovilovo is an exclusive retreat and recreation a-

cility, which eatures ootball, basketball, handball and tennis courts. Theacility also boasts two superior shooting ranges.

BEYOND BELGRADE:EXPLORING VINČA, MLADENOVAC AND MOUNT AVALAVinča

The Tourism Organisation o Belgrade recommends a visit to Vinča. Lo-cated near Smederevo, Vinča is one o the epicentres o world civilizationand dates back to the Neolithic Age. Its ruins reveal a large settlement onthe site that lasted thousands o years. Arteacts rom the site are housedin the National Museum, the Belgrade City Museum and the Belgrade Fac-ulty o Philosophy.

MladenovacThe municipality o Mladenovac lies approximately 13 kilometres rom

the Belgrade–Niš Highway and is home to the Selters Banja spa. Thismodern oasis o peace and tranquillity oers an anti-stress weekend pro-gramme that is popular with Belgraders. The protected area surroundingMount Kosmaj, which overlooks Mladenovac, comprises springs, thickorests, meadows and splendid medieval monasteries, including Pavlov-ac, Tresije and Kastaljan. Mladenovac’s Markovac Lake eatures a sportsand recreational centre covering more than 20 hectares.

Mount AvalaMount Avala was Serbia’s rst public park. Back in the rst hal o the

19th century, Prince Miloš (Knez Miloš) arranged or every type o Serbiantree to be planted on the site. Avala also eatures Ivan Meštrović’s mas-terpiece, a monument to the Unknown Hero, dedicated to World War Iheroes. There you will also nd Belgrade’s emblem, Avala Tower. Thoughdestroyed during the NATO bombing, the tower has now been complete-ly rebuilt and opened to the public.

T O BdMkv 5/IX, 11000 BdT: +381 11 3061 400E-: @.c.www.v-d.c

T I C Kz MhvT: +381 11 3281 859E-: [email protected].

T I C M wyT: +381 11 3612 732E-: [email protected].

T I C Sv P(Mch–Nv)T: +381 11 3288 246E-: [email protected].

T O Mdvc

Kj P I 175, 11400 MdvcT: +381 11 8244 000, 8244 001E-: [email protected].

BELGRADE

1.



2. NOVI SAD, SREMSKI KARLOVCI

Life in Easy

Novi Sad, the capital o Vojvodina, is a city o nearly hal a million inhabitants and the second largest city in Serbia.

Known as the Serbian Athens, it is 75 kilometres north o Bel-grade – a one-hour drive along Highway E-75 – and is also ac-cessible via boat along the Danube or by train.

Despite Novi Sad being a vital economic and administra-tive centre, lie is particularly laidback in the city. Unlike mostEuropean metropolises, here the pace is slow and stress ree.This relaxed atmosphere gives the city an intimate, eleganteel.

Novi Sad’s history dates back to the Bronze Age, when therst settlements emerged along the right bank o the Dan-ube, the site o today’s Petrovaradin Fortress. The city en-

joyed the status o a ree royal city, bestowed upon it by Em-press Maria Theresa in the 17th century. As a result, cultural,educational and artistic lie ourished in Novi Sad. The rstprinting house and modern bookstore opened in the same

century, while one o the city’s gymnasium schools createdthe Letopis (Chronicle) Matice Srpske, a modern literary

magazine. The Serbian National Theatre was built here in the18th century, coinciding with a boom in the construction indus-try.

SIGHTSFreedom Square, the Name of Mary Cathedral and City Hall

Freedom Square (Trg Slobode), the city’s central square, ea-tures the 19th century neo-gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral,named ater the Virgin Mary. Many wealthy Novi Sad citizensdonated unds or its construction and today you can visit thetombs o respected noble amilies in the cathedral’s crypt.

At Freedom Square you will also nd sculptor Ivan Meštrović’simpressive statue o Svetozar Miletić (1826–1901), one o thecity’s most prominent 19th century politicians. Novi Sad CityHall, located behind the cathedral, is an elegant neo-renais-sance two-storey structure that is actually a replica o Graz CityHall in Austria.

The Vibrant Streets of Novi SadWalk along Njegoševa Street and you will nd the unusual

Iron Man (Kod gvozdenog čoveka) building. Named ater thestatue o the prince that sits atop it, the building was erected in1909. Interestingly, the statue predates the build, having servedas decoration or the previous building to occupy the site.

Zmaj Jovina Street is packed with great places to peruse,including the eclectic Bishop Palace. Behind the palace, at thestart o Pašićeva Street, you will nd the beautiul CathedralChurch (Saborna crkva). The church’s gate eatures an exquisitered marble sacramental cross.

Dunavska Street is lined with shops. It begins in the city cen-tre and stretches out to the Danube. The nearby Dunavski Parkopened in 1895 and is considered the city’s most beautiul park.

– A stroll along Dunavska Street– Wine tasting at Karlovac’s numerous wine cellars– A ride on the Romance (Romantika) train rom Belgrade

WE RECOMMEND:



Petrovaradin Fortress: Gibraltar on the DanubePetrovaradin Fortress (Petrovaradinska tvrđava) is the city’s most popular and attractive cultural and historic site. The Austri-

ans originally built it as a military ort to reinorce their deenses against the Ottomans. Beautiully perched on a high cli, theortress overlooks the Danube. The our-storey structure, which has been dubbed Gibraltar on the Danube, eatures 16.5 kilome-

tres o underground galleries, 12,000 gun placements and 13gates.

ACTIVITIESNovi Sad has a broad spectrum o accommodation op-

tions, including more than 20 hotels, hostels and privateaccommodation acilities. Novi Sad’s residents welcome visi-tors rom across the globe. The city hosts a number o highprole events, including the Sterija Theatre Festival (Sterijinopozorje) in May and the Festival o Digital Arts, Alternativeand New Theatre in June. The EXIT music estival, also in June,draws over 100,000 music lovers to the city each year.

BEYOND NOVI SAD: SREMSKI KARLOVCI Just 11 kilometres rom Novi Sad and 57 kilometres rom

Belgrade lies the quaint city o Sremski Karlovci, which has

been a spiritual, cultural and academic centre o Serbia orover 200 years. The city is accessible via car or the RomanceTrain rom Belgrade.

The baroque style buildings surrounding the ountain inthe town centre are o immense importance to Serbian his-tory and culture. With its two tall bell towers, the 1762 Cathe-dral Church o St. Nicholas (Saborna crkva Svetog Nikole) is amasterpiece iconostas o Serbian baroque. The Patriarchy Pal-ace, the residence o the Srem District Bishop, is consideredVojvodina’s most remarkable 19th century building.

According to legend, whoever drinks rom the 1799 Four Li-ons Well will return to Karlovci to marry. Serbia’s oldest gym-nasium school is located here. The area’s vineyards add to itsquaint character and beautiul scenery.

Sremski Karlovci produces excellent wine and its rustic cel-

lars draw more and more visitors each year. Just 4.5 kilome-tres rom Karlovci, Stražilovo is teeming with traditional river-side taverns (čarda) and caés. Its open air spaces are ideal ornumerous recreational activities.

BELGRADE

2.

RhythmThe Fruška Gora vineyards enjoy exceptional conditions or winemaking. As a result, they have gained wide-spread prominence across central Europe since the middle ages. Fruška Gora has three centres o wine produc-tion: Petrovaradin-Sremski Karlovci, Irig and Erdevik.Fruška Gora produces two indigenous grape varieties: Slankamenka and Bermet wine. The latter was served atthe Vienna Court and appeared on the wine list o the ill-ated Titanic. Today you can visit the Sremski Karlovcicellar, designed specically or Karlovci vintage wines.

BERMET

T O Nv SdMd 1, 21000 Nv SdT: +381 21 6617 343, 421 811

E-: @z., @z.www.z.

T I C MdMd 1, 21000 Nv SdT/Fx: +381 21 6617 343

T I C BvBv Mh Pp 9, 21000 Nv SdT: +381 21 421 811, 421 812E-: @z.

T O Sk Kvc McpyPjh Rjčć 1, 21205 Sk Kvc

T/Fx: +381 21 882 127, 883 855E-: @kvc..www.kvc..



3. BAČKI PETROVAC, BAČKA PALANKA, BAČ

BAČKI PETROVACBački Petrovac is 150 kilometres rom Belgrade and 35 kilometres rom Highway E-75 along the Novi Sad–Sombor secondary

road.

SIGHTSThe surrounding area abounds with ertile land, beautiul orchards, vineyards and sparkling streams that spring rom the Dan-

ube. Bački Petrovac has a robust cultural heritage and the town’s centrepiece eature is awell-preserved 18th century house that has been classied as a cultural treasure o Serbia.Bački Petrovac’s main sights include the old church in Kulpin village, the old gymnasiumschool and the National Museum. The town is comprised o our distinct neighbourhoods

that are all steeped in culture, history and tradition. You will want to spend at least a day get-ting to know this quaint town and its history.

ACTIVITIESThe EUROVELO Danube Bicycle Route runs through the Bački Petrovac area, with cycling

enthusiasts converging on the route at the rst sign o spring.First held in August 1919, the Slovak Folk Festival has become one o the town’s annual

traditions. Bački Petrovac is also home to the Kulen Sausage Festival, which takes place eachMay.

Just 10 kilometres rom Bački Petrovac is Čelarevo, the site o the largest ancient cemeteryin Vojvodina, which experts believe dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. Excavation o thesite has uncovered remarkable ancient gold jewellery, weapons and tools.

BAČKA PALANKA – SIGHTSBačka Palanka lies just beyond Bački Petrovac along the Danube. Its town museum ea-

tures a palaeontology exhibit displaying skeletons o animals ormerly native to Vojvodina.The museum’s prize exhibit is the skeletal remains o a mammoth dating back 25,000 years.

– A bike ride along the Danube– A visit to the well-preserved Gložan settlement on the Danube– Dinner at a traditional tavern

WE RECOMMEND:Symbols of Heritage



The Kulen sausage is a speciality o the Bačka District. Local master ches recom-mend preparing it with choice cuts o pork, either llet or ham. The meat is chopped,not minced, spiced with chili peppers, pepper, garlic and salt. It is then immersed insalt brine, smoked, dried and stored in a dry place.

Be aware, however, that this recipe is only a guide. Bačka’s expert ches preer notto reveal the secret ormula o this delectable speciality.

T O Bčk Pvc McpyMš T 5-7,21470 Bčk PvcT: +381 21 780 478,Fx: +381 21 782 643E-: [email protected]

T O Bčk P-k McpyV Mš 8, 21400 BčkPkT/Fx: +381 21 6041 336, 753 734E-: kd@p.

www.p.T O Bč McpyT Z Đđć 4, 21429 BčT/Fx: +381 21 772 222E-: [email protected].

KULEN

and Tradit ionBELGRADE

3.

ACTIVITIESLocal shermen and hunting enthusiasts recommend a visit to the Tikvara

and Karađorđevo nature reserves and the Bukinski wetlands (Bukinski rit). Thisarea eatures more than 60,000 hectares o scenic hunting grounds that areparticularly well known or the local pheasant.

Bačka Palanka is also amous or its Jazz and Blues Festival, which takesplace each June. The town also celebrates Danube Day in June.

BAČ – SIGHTSThe district o Bač, 140 kilometres rom Belgrade, was named ater the an-

cient town o Mostonga. Bač rose to prominence in the middle ages, when itserved as both the seat o the Archbishop and the district seat. Excavationshave revealed that a large Roman settlement existed here, but was probablydestroyed by barbarians.

One o the town’s major attractions is its 1169 Franciscan abbey, combiningelements o Roman and Gothic architecture. Bač is also home to Vojvodina’srst pharmacy, located in the Gebauer house and still bearing the original shopwindow and staircase. The Bođani Monastery is located just 13 kilometres rom

Bač. The monastery was built by a Dalmatian tradesman named Bogdan be-side a spring that was said to have miraculously cured his ailing eyes. You willcertainly want to tour Bač’s medieval ortress and locals highly recommendthe climb up to the ortress’s Donžon Tower.

ACTIVITIESYou will nd a variety o unique souvenirs in the villages o this area and thosewho preer can try their hand at making a souvenir under the skillul guidanceo local cratsmen. Take it home as your reward!



4. SUBOTICA, PALIĆ, KANJIŽA

SUBOTICA AND LAKE PALIĆ – SIGHTSSubotica is a beautiul stop on the rail route connecting

Belgrade, Novi Sad and Budapest. Located in the northern-most corner o Serbia, approximately 180 kilometres romBelgrade, the city is also accessible via the E-75 Highway.

This modern Vojvodina city is also a veritable museum inits own right. Its most prominent buildings include the Syna-gogue (1902), City Hall (1908), Raichle Palace (1904) and CityLibrary (1894).

Designed by Komor and Jakab, Subotica’s beautiul CityHall is the largest in Vojvodina. It was lovingly built by localcitizens in 1908 to replace its dilapidated predecessor. The in-terior decoration alone took two years to complete. Concreteand steel were used to construct Subotica’s 1902 Synagogue,a novelty at the time.

Subotica’s 19th century theatre eatures six columns and ischaracteristic o the neoclassical style. The theatre’s rst per-

ormance took place in 1747 and today you can still see dramaperormances here, perormed in both Serbian and Hungar-ian.

A majority o the buildings in the city centre eature colour-ul Zsolnay ceramics, which provide a beauty that contributesgreatly to Subotica’s allure.

ACTIVITIES Just eight kilometres rom Subotica, Lake Palić (Palićko jeze-

ro) is eight kilometres long, 950 metres wide and two metresdeep. The lake’s healing waters have attracted visitors sincethe 19th century, when its rst spa was built. Today the lake isa well-established modern resort eaturing hotels, villas, sport-ing acilities, three beaches and a zoo.

The architects o Subotica City Hall also designed the lake’swater tower, women’s beach, grand terrace, music pavilionand Hotel Jezero. Lake Palić has hosted the Palić InternationalFilm Festival since 1992, while the resort is also home to a rangeo other events, including Dužijanca, Interno and Grape PickingDays (Berbanski dani).

Savour Fine Wine and Cuisine

Subotica’s Horgoš Sands wine region once ormed the bot-tom o the region’s prehistoric sea more than two millenniaago. Sandy terrain, a moderate continental climate and high-quality vineyards produce a pleasant sot bouquet wine. The ar-

Salaš Ranches, Horse

– A visit to Subotica’s Secession buildings– Lunch at a traditional salaš ranch near Kanjiža– A rereshing glass o wine at one o Lake Palić’s wineries

WE RECOMMEND:



BELGRADE

4.

T O ScT Sd 1, 24000 ScT: +381 24 670 350E-: @vc.www.vc.

T I C ScT Sd 1, 24000 ScT: +381 24 670 350

T O Kjž McpyGv 9, 24420 KjžT: +381 24 875 414, 854 412E-: [email protected]..

T I C KjžT: +381 24 875 412

T I C Tv T: +381 24 887 136

ea’s vineyards extend beyond Subotica to Horgoš.

The region’s wine beautiully compliments itshardy cuisine: pair merlot with perkelt (venisongoulash), rooster stew with cabernet and vealschnitzel & mushrooms with a local avourite,Kadarka wine.

Kelebija and Zobnatica: Equestrian ParadiseKelebija, Serbia’s largest horse arm, is home

to 70 Lipizzan horses. Here you can enjoy horse-back riding and a beautiul carriage ride in a coachdating back to 1700. Carriage rides or weddingguests is a popular tradition in Subotica.

Located 30 kilometres rom Subotica, Zob-natica is a must-see destination or the horseenthusiast. Zobnatica has a two-hundred-yearhorse-breeding tradition. The horse arm eaturesa racetrack and training acility, riding school andFiaker coach and hunting carriages. The complexalso has an Equestrian Museum. The Zobnatica

Equestrian Games (Zobnatičke konjičke igre) areheld here every year in the second week o Sep-tember.

Kanjiža: Rest and RecuperateKanjiža Municipality was created some 50

years ago through the uniying o parts o theHorgoš, Martonoš and Kanjiža municipalities.Tourism in Kanjiža dates back to 1913, when theBanja Kanjiža spa was built. Today visitors cometo enjoy the healing powers o Kanjiža’s thermalbaths. This scenic area beside the River Tisa is apopular destination or visitors seeking a tran-quil, relaxing getaway. Reerred to as the “town o silence”, Kanjiža has a range o accommodation

available (700 beds).

Stables and SpasThe River Tisa region comes into bloom in early summer,when owers and clouds o white-winged insects emerge

on the river’s surace every June. Called the Tisa ower, thephenomenon sees insects completely cover the river andits banks. They spend their short lives swarming just abovethe water’s surace. This marvel, which resembles a summersnowall, lasts or two to three days.

THE TISA BLOOM



5. SOMBOR, BEZDAN, APATIN

The beauty of a slow

When visiting Sombor you will immediately notice that youngand old alike are riding bicycles. Every tavern, shop and ocialbuilding reserves parking or the town’s two-wheelers! The lo-cals’ preerence or bicycles over cars contributes to the relaxedand tranquil atmosphere o this beautiul town.

CYCLING IN SOMBOR

The elegant town o Sombor lies on the Bačka plain. Located near the Dan-ube, just o Highway E-75 heading towards Budapest, Sombor is 174 kilometresrom Belgrade and 99 kilometres rom Novi Sad.

SIGHTSSombor’s beautiul town square eatures several baroque-style buildings

and its classical 1842 Town Hall. The 19th century Parish Hall exhibits EisenhutFerenczi’s huge painting The Battle o Senta. Measuring twenty-eight squaremetres, it is Serbia’s largest painting. With as many rooms as there are daysin the year, the Parish Hall is Sombor’s most impressive structure. During theHabsburg era the town’s central square was dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

You will also nd the 18th century Orthodox Church o St. George (Crkva Sve-tog Georgija) and the Catholic Rectory (Katolički župni dvor) in the town centre.The square’s Pasha Tower has also been restored and now houses the studios o Sombor’s artists.

It is impossible to imagine Sombor without its traditional tamburitza play-ers, who represent a symbol o the city dating back centuries. The Fiaker coachis also a key eature o the town. Take one or a spin in the city centre!

ACTIVITIESA visit to one o 16 traditional salaš ranches

near Sombor is a must! You can enjoy a tradi-tional meal and tour these old-world struc-tures orgotten by time. Contact the localtourism organisation or inormation.

Sombor and its surroundings oer a heavenon earth or shing enthusiasts. Top shingsites include the Bački and Bajski canals andthe mighty Danube. This stretch o the Dan-ube abounds with low-hanging branches andwetlands. Bezdan is one o teen villages in

the vicinity o Sombor. Founded in 1305, itsiodide-rich medicinal waters were discoveredat the beginning o the last century. Just onelitre o Bezdan water contains 2.84 mg o io-dide. Today the Banja Bezdan spa has over 100hotel beds and private accommodation op-



BELGRADE

5.

Fiaker ride

T O ST C Lz 1, 25101 ST: +381 25 434 330, 434 350E-: @v.www.v.

T I C SKj P I 26, 25000 ST: +381 25 420 041

T O Ap McpyPf Šd 2, 25260 ApT: +381 25 772 555E-: [email protected]..

– A visit to the small Montmartre in Sombor’s Pasha Tower – A ride in a Fiaker coach, accompanied by the pleasant sounds o a tamburitza orchestra

– A glass (or a pint!) o Apatin beer

WE RECOMMEND:

tions, while the village also has an eco-classroomor nature lovers.

Apatin is located on the let bank o the Danube just 17 kilometres southwest o Sombor. A strongtradition o cratsmanship and trade has existedhere since 1700 and the most popular Serbian beerbrands have been brewed in Apatin since 1756. Ac-

cording to historical records, some o Budapest’smost amous palaces were constructed with bricksproduced in Apatin.

Apatin is considered Serbia’s most prominentshing centre. The town is home to several annualevents dedicated to shing and sh stew is tradi-tionally prepared during Fisherman’s Night. Apatinis also a paradise or small game, wild boar and deerhunters.

I you are an eco-saari enthusiast, you can enjoy the great outdoors with a visit to Bestrement,Kupusinski dunavac, Ciganski dunavac or Kandljiljapesak.

Apatin is neighboured by the Junaković Banjaspa, which eatures a recreation and rehabilitationcentre or those suering rom coronary and diges-tive system ailments. The spa includes swimmingpools, sports acilities, saunas and massage therapytreatments.



6. BAČKA TOPOLA, MALI IĐOŠ, SRBOBRAN

Down the GrandSIGHTS

Bačka Topola is nestled in the Krivaja River valley

near the Belgrade–Novi Sad–Subotica–Buda-pest Highway. The city is 146 kilometres northo Belgrade.

Here you will nd a series o beautiul ba-roque style buildings. Bačka Topola’s 1905 pseu-

dogothic Catholic Church eatures a 74-metretower, while other prominent structures include

Native House, the Blacksmith-Cartwright work-shop and the milling museum located in the oldwindmill.

Mali Iđoš is a quaint village close to Bačka Topola,approximately 138 kilometres rom Belgrade. Its sce-nic surroundings are perect or hunting. I literature is

more your style you can join one o the town’s regularlyscheduled literary meetings.

The small town o Srbobran is located on the Bel-grade–Subotica road just north o Novi Sad, pre-

cisely 100 kilometres rom Belgrade. The GrandBačka Canal (Veliki bački kanal) runs though

the city and, thanks in part to its strategiclocation and rich history, Srbobran is one o

Vojvodina’s most developed small towns.The name Srbobran dates back to the 1848

revolution, when the Serbian deensiveline was located in this settlement. Itmeans Serbian shield.

Srbobran’s rich soil is highly er tile.Some believe this is due to the abun-dance o water in the area, with theRiver Krivaja, Grand Bačka Canaland a series o ponds traversing the

municipality. Srbobran aboundswith underground thermal watersources that are used both ortherapeutic purposes and to ir-rigate the land.



BELGRADE

6.

Bačka Canal

T O Bčk TpMš T 30, 24300 Bčk TpT: +381 24 715 310, x. 106E-: @c.www.p..

C Phyc Edc,Rc d T S

T d , 21480 ST/Fx: +381 21 731 279E-: [email protected]..

Srborban attracts the world’s ood lovers dur-ing the annual Sausage Festival in Turija, whichtakes place every year during the last weekend

in February. Though there are no hotel acilitiesin Srbobran, residents ofer accommodation attheir homes on salaš ranches.

– Rabbit hunting in Mali Iđoš – Attending the Sausage Festival (Kobasicijada) in Turija village– A visit to the Flour Milling Museum in Bačka Palanka

WE RECOMMEND:

TURIJA

ACTIVITIESVisitors interested in exploring Bačka Topola’s surroundings

should extend their trip to the villages o Turija and Nadalj. Turijais amous or its high quality sausages and annual Sausage Fes-tival (Kobasicijada). The town is named ater the Turija brookon the River Drina, where its inhabitants originate rom. Nadaljmost likely received its name rom the sers who lived in this arealong ago. The town has an old world eel that is sure to impresswith its charm!

Bačka Topola and the surrounding area are popular with hunt-ing and shing enthusiasts rom all across the world. The area is

rich in rabbit, pheasant and deer. I you are visiting Bačka Topolaand are interested in hunting pay a visit to the Krivaja HuntingGrounds.



SIGHTSUdžak was the rst settlement established by the Ottomans in

the 16th century. Today known as Odžaci, it is located on the NoviSad–Bačka Palanka–Sombor road some 139 kilometres north o Bel-grade. The Apatin, Sombor, Kula, Vrbas, Bačka Palanka and Bač mu-

nicipalities surround Odžaci.

The town o Odžaci has a beautiul central square eaturing the 1821 St. Archangel Mihovil Roman Catholic Church. The town’smuseum houses world-renowned arteacts dating back to the Neolithic period, including a red-haired goddess statuette exca-vated rom the Donja Branjevina site. The statuette is believed to be more than 7,000 years old. The 38cm ame-haired goddessis o particular signicance, with similar gurines rom the era measuring just 15cm in height.

Odžaci is surrounded by a series o lakes that were created naturally during the great Danube ood o 1926. The area is a avou-rite destination or local hunters and sherman. The small town o Kula lies on the banks o the Danube–Tisa Canal near Bačka.Famous or its superb cratsmanship since 1815, Kula is home to a number o tailors, tanners, shoemakers and weavers. You willalso nd a hat and wool apparel actory in this charming town.

Vrbas, Bačka district’s main urban centre, lies along the Belgrade–Novi Sad–Subotica–Budapest railway and the Srbobran–Vrbas–Sombor Highway. Vrbas, which

neighbours Kula, is 125 kilometres rom Belgrade and 44 kilometres rom Novi Sad.

Though close to the Danube and Tisa rivers, the city also has its own river, theCrna Bara (Black Marsh). Though renamed Titov Vrbas (Tito’s Vrbas) ollowingWorld War II, it reclaimed its original name in the late 1990s.

Like many other cities in Vojvodina the area now occupied by Vrbas wasonce marshland. The city’s architecture is more central European than Byz-antine and Vrbas boasts six churches o dierent denominations, includingSerbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Reormation, Ruthenian, Evangelist

7. ODŽACI, KULA, VRBAS

Tradit ion andT O Odžc McpyKz Mhjv 28, 25250 OdžcT/Fx: +381 25 5742 212, 5742 308E-: [email protected].



and Methodist. Other prominent structures includeseveral striking villas owned by wealthy industrial-

ists, the Vodice Chapel and the Joze Kiš monument.You will nd a collection o World War II memen-

tos at Bapa’s Base (Bapina baza) in Vrbas. The housewhich belonged to Dragutin Radanov Bapa and hisve children served as the secret headquarters orthe partisans during WWII. In the backyard you willnd a second 19th century Serbian village house.

ACTIVITIESVrbas has a long tradition o hunting. The grounds in the area

o Savino Selo and Kucura are especially well suited or rabbithunting. Vrbas is also renowned or its exquisite cuisine.

Enjoy a ew traditional dishes during your visit!

BELGRADE

7.

Craftsmanship

– An inspection o the Neolithic Red-Haired Goddess statuette in Odžaci– A visit to a Kula weaving mill– Sampling Hunter’s Steak in gravy (lovačke šnicle) in Vrbas

WE RECOMMEND:

Vrbas has beautiul green markets. Visit the smallmarket (Mala pijaca) on the corner o Main (Glav-na) and Njegoševa streets on Wednesdays. I youare in town on a Saturday, stroll through the GrandMarket (Velika pijaca) near Vinogradski Bridge.

THE GREEN MARKET



8. KIKINDA, BEČEJ, NOVI BEČEJ

Places ofKikinda is the administrative centre o North Banat District and lies 130 kilometres rom Belgrade. Located in the heart o Banat,

the city is well connected to the rest o Serbia.

SIGHTSHere you will nd archaeological sites around every corner, testiying to the act that settlements have existed in the Kikinda

area since 5000 B.C. The city’s centre has several attractions, including the 1894 City Hall, with its high tower and the Kikinda crestadorning its açade. The beautiul 1908 Lepedat Villa is located on Glavna Street. You will nd the city’s museum in the Curie build-ing, which has a rich collection o archaeological arteacts. The nearby Church o St. Nicholas (1769) eatures a distinctive sundialon its southern wall.

A visit to Kikinda’s Stara Suvača, a traditional horse-powered mill, is a must! The structure is one o the last two remaining inEurope. Once used to grind grain, the mill is now a venue or theatrical perormances and concerts. The Narvik Hotel is Kikindatown centre’s key eature. Its beautiul architecture will inspire your stay, though i you preer you can opt to stay at one o Ki-kinda’s private mansions.

ACTIVITIESA visit to any o the villages around Kikinda will reveal traces o ancient civilisations and the warm hospitality o today’s locals.

Every year an egg cracking competition is organised on Easter Sunday in the village o Mokrin, where traditional Gander Fightsalso take place.

T O Kkd McpyT pkh dvjc 21, 23300 KkdT: +381 230 26 300E-: j.c@kkd..

T O Bčj McpyT đj 1, 21220 BčjT: +381 21 6910 404E-: [email protected]

T I C BčjT: +381 21 6910 444

T I C Nv BčjSvz Mć , 23272 Nv BčjT: +381 23 773 522E-: [email protected].



In 1996 archaeologists excavat-ed a well-preserved mammothskeleton in the clay deposits o the Toza Marković actory. Theskeleton, discovered by accidentsome 20 metres underground,

measures our metres in height,seven metres in length and isthree metres wide. Today it ishelping scientists unravel cluesto its existence.

MAMMOTH

MemoriesBELGRADE

8.

– A tamburitza serenade (tamburaši)– Taking part in the Easter egg cracking competition (Tucinijada) in Mokrin– A night at Dunđerski Castle

WE RECOMMEND:

Kikinda also celebrates the humble pumpkin every autumn, with the Days o Ludaja Festival (ludaja – a variety o pumpkin) tak-ing place in the rst weekend in October. During these estive days Kikinda’s streets are overrun with pumpkins. Though nobodyknows exactly why it is called ludaja, we can only guess it is a tribute to the noble pumpkin.

Bečej is a small town on the River Tisa 120 kilometres rom Belgrade. The city’s Trg Oslobođenja (Liberation Square) eatures anumber o prominent buildings, including City Hall, the Baroness Euemija Jović Foundation and the 1851 Orthodox Church. Themain square is actually circular and is reerred to inormally as the Pogača (round loa).

Regular visitors to Banat claim that the cuisine and accommodation in Bečej are exquisite. Industrialist Bogdan Dunđerskibuilt a striking castle 14 kilometres rom Bečej at the beginning o 20th century and today the structure houses an expansive resorton 65 hectares o land. It eatures a small amily chapel and horse stables which were once home to 1,400 horses.

On the opposite side o the Tisa is Novi Bečej, which lies some 113 kilometres rom Belgrade. The town’s historical records indi-cate that a great re o 1886 devastated over a third o the settlement’s area. Fortunately, the remains o a 14th century basilica inArace, 14 kilometres rom the centre o the municipality, remain intact.

Near Novi Bečej you will nd the largest hydro structure on the Danube–Tisa–Danube, a large concrete dam eaturing seven

spillways and a navigation dock. The Danube–Tisa–Danube Canal is also home to the Eiel Lock, an example o one o the mostoutstanding technical achievements rom the beginning o the 20th century. Reerred to as the Šlajz by locals, it was built outo bare necessity at the conuence o the Grand Bačka Canal and the River Tisa to protect Novi Bečej rom the regular oodingit used to ace. Though no one knows or certain whether the navigation lock was actually built by the amous Eiel, the designstrongly resembles the Eiel Tower in Paris.

Novi Bečej also eaturesabundant hunting groundsand the Sokolac resort. Thetown is well connected to therest o the region and is a-mous or its sh stew culinarycompetition and Internation-al Art Camp every summer.



ZRENJANIN – SIGHTS Just 73 kilometres rom Belgrade, Zren-

janin is the largest city in Banat District.This attractive urban hub was once calledVeliki Bečkerek and is accessible via both

Novi Sad and Belgrade.The baroque style City Hall (1820) domi-nates the quaint central Freedom Squareand the building was recently restored toits original beauty. The City Hall complexeatures the vibrant City Garden, whichboasts numerous ountains, statues andpavilions. Locals ock to this beautiulspace or un and relaxation.

The 1874 Roman Catholic St. John o Nepomuk Cathedral is a striking Neo-Romantic structure with bells that werespecically designed to ensure their tollscould be heard just to the edge o the citylimits.

The 1894 National Museum Palace, or-merly the Finance Palace, and the Toša Jovanović National Theatre, home to the

oldest stage in Serbia, are Zrenjanin’s most extraordinary buildings. A visit to the chapel beside Zrenjanin’s Temple o the Presenta-tion o the Virgin Mary (Vavedenjski hram) will reveal the remains o Raail Banatski, a canonised Hilandar missionary and miracleworker. According to legend, medicinal water owed rom an old elm tree ollowing Banatski’s death.

ACTIVITIESA stroll down Freedom Square to King Alexander and First streets will lead you to a number o restaurants and caés. Here you

will also nd the Bece, Panji, Kovač and Tuner Palace, also known as Scheherazade or its unique Moorish building style. Exploreurther and you will discover Renaissance Palace and the homes o two o Zrenjanin’s amous tradesmen, Jakšić and Stagelschmidt. They all hold inter-esting snippets o the city’s history.

Zrenjanin has eight public parks, ve squares and ten bridges. Built in 1904,the pedestrian Little Bridge is the city ’s oldest and most charming bridge.Zrenjanin has our major hotels, a number o motels and several highly

developed private accommodation acilities. Check with the local tourismorganisation orreservation de-tails.

I you arelooking or a re-laxing getaway,a visit to thenearby BanjaRusanda spa isa must. Locatedin Melenci on

the shores o Rusanda Lake,the spa is o theroad leading toNovi Bečej andboasts spa treat-

9. ZRENJANIN, ŽABALJ, TITEL

T C Zj

Kč Kv 68, 23101 ZjT: +381 23 523 160, Fx: +381 23 523161E-: [email protected].

T I CZjSćv 1, 23101 ZjT: +381 23 581 890E-: [email protected].

T O Žj McpyT Sv Sv 3, 21230 ŽjT: +381 21 831 688E-: @zj-.,[email protected].

Historic Build ings , Ar– A therapeutic massage at

Banja Rusanda spa– A photo-saari in Žabalj– A drink at one o the caes along Zrenjanin’s promenade

WE RECOMMEND:



ments and sporting acilities. You can also savour local sh cuisine atthe spa’s restaurant.

The unique Tiganija ethno-resort lies 15 kilometres rom the city just o the Zrenjanin–Belgrade road. The resort oers overnight ac-commodation acilities and a restaurant. Tiganija is an increasinglypopular destination or keen birdwatchers.

Zrenjanin hosts the annual Beer Days (Dani Piva) estival on the last

Sunday o August, eaturing the bottoms-up competition. The city isalso home to the Banat Diligent Hands (Banatske vredne ruke) event,which eatures handmade crats and Banat cuisine.

ŽABALJ – SIGHTSAs you leave Zrenjanin towards Novi Sad, why not stop and visit

Žabalj? The town’s most beautiul building is the Temple o the HolyFather Nikolai (Hram Svetog Oca Nikolaja). This baroque style templeeatures unique icons crated rom colourul stones.

ACTIVITIESVisitors seeking a quiet bird watching retreat should head or the

Jegrička Valley (Dolina Jegričke), Serbia’s marshlands. The valley is aperect location or a photo saari, while the nearby Stara Tisa hunt-ing grounds are rich in deer and small game.

Golng enthusiasts will soon be able to play Serbia’s rst proes-sional gol course near Žabalj, with construction o the course nearlycomplete.

TITEL – SIGHTSThe small town o Titel is easily accessible rom Begej, Belgrade,

Novi Sad and Zrenjanin. The quickest route is via the South Bačka district motorway rom Novi Sad towards Banat District. Thetown, which dates back to the Roman Period, is rich in history. Stroll through Titel and you will uncover remnants o various

civilisations that have let their mark here over thecenturies.

ACTIVITIESOne o the city’s main attractions is the native

house o Mileva Marić Einstein. Here you will also dis-cover Titelski breg (Titel Hill), a peculiar geologic or-mation rising above the Vojvodina plain. Remarkablyrich ora and auna surround the unusual ormation.

The Feudvar archaeological site, which eaturesarteacts rom the Iron and Bronze ages, is accessiblevia boat rom the Tisa and Begej heading towardsMošorin. Head to Titel and enjoy rowing, sailboating,

paragliding and camping. Titel also eatures a regat-ta, an eco-camp and horse racing.

BELGRADE

9.

haeological S ites Just 10 kilometres rom Zrenjanin is theCarska Bara nature reserve, eaturing 240species o rare birds, including the white-

tailed eagle, the marsh harrier, the sparrowhawk, buzzard and heron. This 1,767-hectaremarshland is recognised as a UNESCO worldheritage distinction site.

CARSKA BARA



10. PANČEVO, KOVAČICA

Tradit ion in

PANČEVO – SIGHTSPančevo lies on the conuence o the Tamiš and Danube riv-

ers, just 13 kilometres rom Belgrade. A typical southern Banatcity, Pančevo is an industrial hub with a laidback character.

Downtown Pančevo eatures several striking buildings, in-cluding the Roman Catholic St. Karl the Boromeian Cathedral.This structure is actually the renovated house o Count Maruso,built in 1722. With its mighty domes, high bell towers and intri-cate treasures, the Transguration Church is one o the sym-bols o Pančevo. The temple eatures stunning hand paintedicons by Uroš Predić. Another o Pančevo’s main attraction isthe 19th century Ascension Church. Karađorđe himsel providedthe wooden timber necessary to re the bricks used to build thetemple.

Pančevo became a powerul industrial centre during the1960s and ‘70s. The town has a nitrogen plant, oil renery, aero-plane actory, plastic manuacturing, glass and light bulb pro-duction.

The region surrounding Pančevo is steeped in history. Arte-acts discovered here reveal a mysterious prehistoric cultureknown as Starčevačka, named ater the present day PančevoDistrict town o Starčevo. The culture was thought to have beenincredibly rich and prominent.

ACTIVITIESThe Vojlovica Monastery is just ve kilometres northeast o

Pančevo towards Starčevo. According to legend, this beautiulmonastery was erected in 1393 ollowing the Battle o Kosovo.

Pančevo’s beer brewing tradition dates back to 1722. Why notsample one o the local beers at one o Pančevo’s many sh oodrestaurants and caes along the banks o the Tamiš?

Located 13 kilometres rom Kovin, Deliblato Sands is a uniqueEuropean phenomenon. This magnicent nature reserve o sand dunes eatures a unique preserved ecosystem o rare au-na. The area is protected by the state as an area o geographicsignicance.

KOVAČICA – SIGHTSLocated 50 kilometres north o Belgrade, Kovačica is re-

nowned or its ethnic Slovak community and their naïve paint-ing tradition. The surrounding area is beautiul, oering viewso elds o sunowers as you drive toward the town, which ea-tures a quaint central park and church. Take a stroll through thecity and you will notice that every home is marked with a platedisplaying its owner and the year it was built.

T O PčvSkč 2, 26101 PčvT: +381 13 351 366E-: [email protected].

T O

Kvčc McpyMš T 50, 26210 KvčcT: +381 13 660 460E-: [email protected]..

– A stroll along the River Tamiš – A visit to the Starčevo archaeological site– Purchasing a naïve painting in Kovačica

WE RECOMMEND:



BELGRADE

10.

Naïve PaintingACTIVITIES

Kovačica’s naïve painting tradition began in 1939when two locals, Martin Paluška and Jan Sokol, startedcreating art in this style. As the movement ourished,Paluška, Sokol and other gited residents established

a painting club in the 1950s. Without ormal trainingo any kind, they gathered interested villagers romKovačica, Padina and other neighbouring towns andcreated a specic style, painting scenes rom daily lie.Kovačica’s rst exhibition o naïve painting took placein 1952. Three years later the rst Gallery o Naïve Artwas established. The tradition continues to this day.

The Kovačica School o Naïve Painting wasmade amous by Zuzana Halupova, Martin

Jonaš and other artists and is now a world-

renowned centre. Though you can visit theGallery o Peasant Painters and the amousBabka Gallery, you will be happy to discov-er that nearly every home in this adorablevillage eatures a gallery exhibit.

PAINTING SCHOOL



11. VRŠAC, BELA CRKVA

Carpathian

– A visit to the Vršac vineyards– A hike up Vršac Hill Tower – A visit to Bela Crkva duringthe anual Flower Parade

WE RECOMMEND:

VRŠAC – SIGHTSThe City o Vršac is 84 kilometres rom Belgrade o Highway E-70.

Famed or its high winds, scenic surroundings and beautiul vine-yards, this city is nestled in the Carpathian hills just a 10-minute driverom Serbia’s border with Romania. Vršac is also accessible via the

Vienna–Budapest–Belgrade–Bucharest rail route and those eelingadventurous can even y into Vršac’s small airport.

The city’s most prominent historical buildings date back to the18th century. A ew outstanding examples include the baroque Bish-op’s Palace, the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, the neo-gothic St.Gerhard Roman Catholic Church, the Magistrates Court and JovanSterija Popović House. The City Museum is home to an extensive ar-chaeological collection rom the Vatin, Dubovac and Židovar sites.

The old pharmacy on Kumanovska and Stevana Nemanje is knownas the Pharmacy Under the Stairway (Apoteka pod stepenicama),due to its location directly under a set o stairs. The structure datesback to the mid-18th century, when Vršac’s oldest pharmacy At theSaviour (Kod spasitelja) opened its doors. In 1965 the building became

part o the City Museum.Vršac is a generally modern city with developed inrastructure,

strong institutions, sports, healthcare acilities and a robust econo-my. The city is home to a number o companies, including HemoarmPharmaceuticals, the Vršac Vineyards, Vršac Brewery and the Banatconectionery company. The city is also home to the JAT AirwaysFlight Academy, where numerous cadets rom all over the Balkanscome to train.

ACTIVITIESBuilt in the 15th century, the Hill Tower (Kula Breg) rises high above

the city. Hike along its path and you will be rewarded with a spec-

tacular view.

Vršac is an ideal destination or sportsenthusiasts. The city’s modern MillenniumDome is an outstanding acility with plenty o opportunities to practice and enjoy a varietyo spectator sports.

The people o Vršac are proud o their tra-ditions. Its wineries welcome all wine lov-ers to participate in the Vršac Grape Harvest(Vršačka berba grožđa), which is held annu-ally during the third weekend o September.The city also hosts the International FolkDance Festival, which takes place every sum-

mer.



Breezes

T O VšcMcpyT pd 1, 26300 VšcT: +381 13 832 999, 831 055E-: [email protected]

T O BCkv Mcpy

Pk 2, 26340 B CkvT/Fx: +381 13 851 777E-: [email protected].

Vršac has a rich vineyard tradition with an in-teresting history. European courts served Vršacwine as ar back as the 15th century and thereis strong evidence suggesting that Ancient Ro-mans and Dacians harvested grapes in this area.Close to Vršac is the small village o Gudurice,one o the region’s biggest producers o grapesand wine. The grape quality here is superiorand includes leading brands like Smederevka,Dinka, Slankamenka, Portugieser and Kreatza.The grapes are grown in lanes and are speci-cally positioned to withstand the region’s lowtemperatures. The so-called Košava East Windblows an average o 260 days a year and servesas a natural umigation system or the vines,

protecting them against diseases and pests.

VRŠAC VINEYARDS

BELGRADE

11.

BELA CRKVA – SIGHTSThe beautiul small town o Bela Crkva is just 35 kilometres

south o Vršac near the Romanian border. Several bodies o water, including the Neva River, the Danube–Tisa–DanubeCanal and a number o small lakes surround the city, which is

sometimes reerred to as the Venice o Vojvodina.Bela Crkva’s centre eatures several baroque açades and

the town’s museum has existed since 1877. A public parkmarks the entrance to 1st October Street (Ulica Prvog ok-tobra) heading north. Rising behind the Roman CatholicChurch is Kalvarija Hill, which oers a stunning view o thetown and the ridges o the Carpathian Mountains.

ACTIVITIESBela Crkva in summer is decorated with owers as it hosts

the 100-year-old traditional Flower Parade (Karneval cveća).Locals love the town’s clean air and Bela Crkva’s pristine na-ture. The town’s manmade crystal clear lakes oer a perect

opportunity to relax and swim, while a well-maintainedbeach o the town centre also oers plenty o un and rec-reation.



IRIG – SIGHTS Just 55 kilometres rom Belgrade, Irig Municipalityis easily accessible via the Novi Sad–Irig–Ruma mo-

torway, just o Highway E-70. According to historicalrecords, Irig was one o the largest cities in the Srem

District until 1795, when the dreaded plague halvedits population. Today it is a small but charming Vojvodina town. The town centre’s three spectacular18th century orthodox churches are reminiscent o a more prosperous era. The Church o St. Nicho-

las, the most picturesque o the three, was built in 1722 to resemble the nearby Hopovo Monas-tery. The structure’s 1760 iconostas engravings are among the most interesting examples o theperiod.

ACTIVITIESLocated just seven kilometres north o Irig along the Fruška Gora

ridge, Iriški Venac is one o the area’s most popular daytrip destinations.

Along with Fruška Gora National Park, Irig is part o the so-calledzone o relics. With its scenic landscapes and historical monuments,

this is one o the most appealing spots or visitors to Vojvodina. Alsoknown as the Holy Mountain o Athos o the North, Fruška Gora ishome to 17 orthodox monasteries that were built between the 15th

and 18th centuries. The Krušedol Monastery is the mausoleumo the Srem amily o Branković and home to the most precioustreasures o all monasteries in Fruška Gora, while the equallyimpressive Grgeteg Monastery is linked to the Branković des-pots and Hopovo Monastery represents the largest and mostmonumental structure o the late medieval Serbian churches.

Irig also oers plenty o options or rest and relaxation.Visit the Banja Vrdnik thermal spa, the site o a ormer mine,to unwind. Vrdnik’s picturesque streets are lined with identi-cal homes that once belonged to local miners. Mineral watersprings were discovered when Vrdnik was still a mining town.

However, with most o the mines now closed Vrdnik is bet-ter known or its soothing thermal spas. With its charmingFruška Gora vineyards, the Srem region is among the mostspectacular areas in Serbia. Fruška Gora produces supremequality wines that you can sample at over 60 private wine cel-lars scattered throughout the monasteries and villages o theregion. Pay a visit to the villages o Čerević, Neštin, Banoštorand Erdevik or an unorgettable wine tasting experience.

INĐIJA – SIGHTSKnown as the heart o eastern Srem, the Inđija Municipal-

ity is just 42 kilometres rom Belgrade. With 27 kilometres o the Danube owing through the region, Inđija is bound to one

day become a suburb o the rapidly expanding cities o NoviSad and Belgrade. Though Inđija has all the right criteria tobecome a bustling metropolis, it is still a very traditional Sremtown. Inđija’s town centre eatures several classicist, seces-sionist and neo-renaissance style structures. They include theCity Hall, Vojnović House, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church,

12. IRIG, INĐIJA

Land of– A visit to the Fruška Gora monasteries– A dip in the Banja Vrdnik thermal spa– A visit to the ethno-house in Maradik

WE RECOMMEND:



BELGRADE

12.

Rel ic s

An unusual combination o climactic phenomena ensure that the wine producing process in Irig and FruškaGora is extraordinarily unique. The sunny hills o Fruška Gora ace the misty waters o the Danube, creating aunique microclimate. The grapes here undergo a seven-month vegetation period and a ve-month hibernationperiod. Some suggest that these conditions are the reason that wine produced here contains two percent moresugar than wine made anywhere else in Vojvodina.

Grape varieties cultivated here include the indigenous Vranac, old Portuguieser, domestic Župljanka (o Proku-pac and Black Burgundy), Neoplanta (o Smederevka and Red Traminac), Sila (o Kevedinka and Chardonnay), Liza(o Grey Burgundy and Kunleanj) and Petra (Black Burgundy and Kubrat). Recommended varieties or this areainclude Italian and Rhine Riesling, Traminac, Sauvignon, Neoplanta and Župljanka.

WINE

the Presentation o the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church and a number o privatehomes and açades.

The urban town centre was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,when the town underwent a period o rapid industrial development and popu-lation growth. Inđija eatures a brand new pedestrian zone that has becomequite popular with the city’s younger generation.

ACTIVITIESStari Slankamen is a key part o the region’s rich heritage. Home to Srem’s

oldest church, the 1468 St. Nicholas Orthodox Church that served as a modelor the construction o all other churches in the Srem region, nearby you canvisit an ancient salt water spring spa and the ruins o a Celtic period Acumini-cum ortress. A visit to the Maradik Ranch near Inđija oers an ideal oppor-tunity to amiliarise yoursel with the traditions o the Srem District. The siteincludes an ethno-house eaturing over 200 exhibits and a charming ethno-restaurant serving some o the region’s most delectable specialities. Inđija Mu-nicipality also has a long tradition o grape and wine production and is hometo the Vojvodina Wine Fair that takes place each March. I you happen to visitInđija in May you will experience the Srem Horseshoe Competition (Sremska

potkovica), when arming amilies rom across the region take part in horse-drawn coach races.

T O IMcpyRk 16, 22406 IT: +381 22 461 126E-: [email protected]...

T I C VdkKđđv 6, 22408 VdkT: +381 22 465 466

T O IđjMcpy

C Dš 1, 22320 IđjT: +381 22 510 970E-: [email protected].



13. RUMA, PEĆINCI

Life InvestmentRUMA – SIGHTS

Located in the heart o Srem not ar rom the southern oot-hills o Fruška Gora, Ruma is 65 kilometres rom Belgrade and35 kilometres rom Novi Sad just o the main Belgrade–ZagrebHighway. Ruma is also a stop on the Belgrade–Zagreb railroad.

Ruma has a rich and colourul history. The city experienceda period o rapid development during the 1920s and ‘30s, whencultural, economic and political lie ourished as banks, printingpresses, shops and movie theatres began to spring up. It was dur-ing this period that Ruma became an important economic cen-

t r e .

By 1933 the city had developed into the For-mer Yugoslavia’s largest grain market.

The City Museum is home to a var-ied collection o exhibits depictingthe lie and history o the people

o Srem. Stroll through Rumaand you will come across thecity’s historic 1758 St. Nicho-las Orthodox Church and1761 Vaznesenjska Church,dedicated to the Ascen-sion o the Lord. A visit tothe Gomolava archaeo-logical site at Hrtkovci,which eatures arteactsrom the Paleolithic andEarly Neolithic periods, is

a must!

ACTIVITIESThose seeking un and

recreation should head tothe Borkovac Lake just outside

the city. Here you will nd allthe comort required or a relax-

ing trip. Ruma Municipality alsomanages two well-equipped hunt-

ing grounds: Karakuša and Morović.Every summer Ruma’s residents or-

ganise a traditional Watermelon Festi-

val (Bostanijada), Tamburitza OrchestraFestival, Artists’ Colony and a local AmateurTheatre Festival.

WE RECOMMEND:– A visit to the Bread Museum in Pećinci– Bathing in the Sava at Kupinovo– A trip to the artists’ colony



PEĆINCI – SIGHTSPećinci’s strategic location close to Belgrade’s Nikola

Tesla Airport and the Belgrade–Zagreb Highway has at-tracted both oreign and domestic investment. TodayPećinci receives the highest level o greeneld investment

per capita o any municipality in Serbia. Šimanovci is themunicipality’s well-known industrial zone, where Euro-pean and other global companies have set up businesses.

Apart rom its booming economy, Pećinci also oers arange o beautiul destinations, ranging rom charming vil-lages to scenic nature spots. Visit the village o Kupinovoand explore St. Luke’s Church (Crkva Svetog Luke), the 15thcentury royal church o the House o Branković. The mainsquare o the village is also an ethno-park that showcasestraditional construction techniques.

ACTIVITIESThose craving some delicious cuisine can sample the delicacies o one o several local restaurants in lower Srem’s Pećinci Mu-

nicipality.

I you are seeking a quiet spot to enjoy the great outdoors, why not head to the nature reserve surrounding the Obedska Pond, just 35 kilometres rom Belgrade along the River Sava? The reserve encompasses the villages o Jakovo, Progar and Kupinovo andis listed as one o UNESCO’s natural habitats. A visit to the small island in the centre o the Obedska Pond will reveal the ruins o the medieval Kupinik Fortress. This 15th century structureonce belonged to Despot Stean Lazarević and the Houseo Branković.

For details o overnight accommodation and restaurantacilities, contact one o the area’s tourism organisations.

BELGRADE

13.

Painter Slobodan Jeremić, also known as Deda Jer-emija (Grandpa Jeremija) established the Bread Museum in Pećinci some 15 years ago. Jeremić spent 30 years

visiting around 750 Serbian villages to gather exhibit pieces beore he built the museum in his amily home. Hededicated the museum, which eatures over 2,000 exhibits and displays 96 diferent ceremonial breads, to St.Nicholas. The exhibited breads are classifed according to occasion, including Christmas, Easter, amily saints’days, weddings and unerals.

BREAD MUSEUM

Pćc McpySd Bjć 5,22410 PćcT: +381 22 400 700, Fx: +381 22 400 792

T O RGv 172, 22400 RT.: +381 22 470 655E-:[email protected]



The Srem District museum comprises two complexes in Srem-ska Mitrovica. The Pinki Street annex across rom the

Sirmium Hotel exhibits icons and paintings dat-ing back through the last three centuries. The

second annex to St. Stean Street eaturesa collection o Roman arteacts. Right

next to the museum is the Royal House,

which was built in 1792 and representsSremska Mitrovica’s oldest building.

ACTIVITIESVisitors seeking some

green space are advisedto head or the Zasavica

Nature Reserve justoutside Sremska Mi-

trovica. This reservebeside the River Savaincludes preservedswamps, a orest

eaturing a widerange o ora andauna and a wide

variety o birdand insect spe-cies.

ŠID–SIGHTSŠid is located

in southwesternVojvodina some

86 kilometres romBelgrade o High-

way E-70. I you aredriving you will passthe so-called Commu-

nal Grave o the FallenFighters o the Srem

Front (1944–1945),which stands just be-side the main road.

The rst associationo many people in Ser-

bia with Šid is the great Sava

14. SREMSKA MITROVICA, ŠID

Cit ies founded

– A visit to the Roman Imperial Palace excavation site in Sremska Mitrovica

– A visit to the Zasavica Nature Reserve– A visit to the gallery and atelier o renowned Serbian artist Sava Šumanović

WE RECOMMEND:

SREMSKA MITROVICA – SIGHTSLocated in northwestern Serbia some 74

kilometres rom Belgrade o Highway E70, SremskaMitrovica lies beside

the Srem and Mačvaplains in the oothillso Fruška Gora.

Modern Srem-ska Mitrovica wasonce known as Sir-mium and was aprominent centre o Christianity during theRoman period. Strate-gically located alongseveral key roads onthe shores o the Dan-ube, the settlement

ourished into abustling centre o culture and trade.

Sirmium’s re-markable imperialpalace eatured heat-ed oors and wallsskilully decoratedwith mosaics and res-coes. The palace com-plex also comprisedthermal baths, cropelds, residential areasand orts. Roman philoso-pher Emperor Marcus Aure-

lius died here.

Though some remnants o Sir-mium’s grandeur are still visible tovisitors to modern Sremska Mitrovica,a large part o the ancient town re-mains underground. You will nd themost interesting excavations at Niko-la Pašić Square in the city centre andon the corner o Pivarska and BrankoRadičević streets.

Nikola Pašić Square, once knownas Grain Square, is adorned with severalbeautiully crated 19th-century tradesmen’s homes. Some

o the homes eature German-style semi-circular gables, atestament to the inuence o the Habsburg Empire here.The Ottomans built the modest St. Stean Church close tothe square in the 16th century. Its small wooden tower wasadded much later.



on histor yBELGRADE

14.

The Zasavica Nature Reserve is home to a variety o en-dangered sh, including the mud minnow, whitebait, ruddand carp. Along with other auna, including the Balkan am-phibian unusual Danube crested newt, indigenous ottersand wild cats, the reserve is home to more than 180 birdspecies. The European beaver was reintroduced to Zasavica

just a ew years ago, while the Podolian Bull and the Man-gulica, a rare species o pig, are bred in the pastures sur-rounding Zasavica.

RARE SPECIES

T O Sk MvcSv Dj 10,22000 Sk MvcT: +381 22 618 275E-: @.www..

T O Šd

C Lz 7, 22240 ŠdT: +381 22 710 610, 710 661E-: [email protected].

Šumanović, one o the most renowned artists o Ser-bian Modernism. His studio and gallery, eaturingmore than 400 o his works, are located on St. SavaStreet. Explore urther and you will nd the IlianumNaïve Art Museum in the town centre.

Just on the outskirts o Šid lie the Privina Glava

Monastery, the Molovin Village Church amous or itsiconostas and the Vorov, Vranjak and Morović huntinggrounds.

Šid is awash with idyllic scenic landscapes. In act,the majority o the municipality’s 69,800 hectares o land comprise ertile elds and lush orests.



15. TOPOLA, OPLENAC, ARANĐELOVAC

Treasures of

– Perusing Karađorđe’s personal belongings at the summer residence o the Karađorđević Dynasty

– Attending religious services at St. George Church in Topola– A pampering body treatment at the Bukovička Banja spa near Aranđelovac

WE RECOMMEND:

TOPOLA – SIGHTSThe small town o Topola is 80 kilometressouth o Belgrade and neighbours Sme-derevska Palanka, Rača, Kragujevac,Gornji Milanovac, Aranđelovac andMladenovac.

Once Serbia’s administra-tive and political centre, theleader o the First Serbian Up-rising Karađorđe Petrović choseTopola as his base rom which toree Serbia rom the Ottomans in1804. Sadly the ortied city was

destroyed in 1877 under the rule o the Obrenović Dynasty. Karađorđe’sresidence was turned into museumwhich today displays his personal be-longings and weapons rom the pe-riod.

The Church o the Holy Mother (Crkva Presvete Bogorodice), alsoknown as Karađorđe’s Church, is sturdy and rustic. Its interior isadorned with lavish iconostas and engravings and eatures an im-pressive statue o Karađorđe. Visitors to the church can attend re-ligious services. Both the museum and the church are reminders o the city’s glorious past.

Perched high above Topola on Oplenac Hill, the Karađorđević am-ily mausoleum and St. George Church (Crkva Svetog Đorđa) complexrepresent one o the most historic sites in this part o Šumadija. Thechurch eatures ve spectacular domes and a white marble exterior.The mesmerizing interior eatures stunning mosaic rescoes o sixtySerbian monasteries. There are 725 compositions and 1,500 gurescrated rom 40 million mosaic tiles in 15,000 dierent shades.Explore urther and you will nd the tombs o Karađorđe and KingPeter I (1903–1921) in the central part o the church. King Peter de-signed the church, which took many years to build. The church’scrypt contains the tombs o 22 members o the royal amily. PrinceAlexander and King Alexander I are also buried here.

When visiting the grounds o Oplenac you will pass througha security checkpoint. Make certain to visit the sum-

mer residence o the Karađorđević Dynasty (Peter’sHouse). Today the residence is a museum eatur-

ing exhibits about the reign o this dynasty.

Next to the museum you will nd the villaso King Alexander and Queen Maria. A beau-tiully manicured park rich with pine, oak,ash, linden and the Pančić Spruce (Pančićevaomorika) encircles Oplenac. A stroll throughthe protected park is certainly a must!

ACTIVITIESThis region is synonymous with good

grapes and ne wine. According to his-torical records, the area’s vineyards

produced such plentiul har-vests during Prince Miloš’s

reign that there was notenough space to store

the grapes. Today thegrape and wine aresymbols o each vil-lage in this region. The

King’s Cellar at Topolahas two oors o under-



Rulers Past

BELGRADE

15.

T O „Opc“ TpKj Zk 13, 34310 TpT: +381 34 811 172, 814 027E-: @ppc.www.ppc..www.pck.c

T O Ađvc McpyKjz Mš 267, 34300 AđvcT: +381 34 724 097, 725 575E-: [email protected].

T I C Ađvc

Kjz Mš 228, 34300 AđvcT: +381 34 715 335E-: [email protected]

The Risovača Cave near Aranđelovac is considered animportant archaeological, paleontological and speleo-logical site. The cave contains numerous Ice Age animal

remains, as well as stone and bone tools dating back30,000 years to the Palaeolithic Age.

THE RISOVAČA CAVEground cellars maintained at a constant temperatureo 8°C. Ninety-nine barrels o wine are stored here, witheach barrel containing 4,000 litres o wine. Sample someor yoursel!

Named in honour o the noble drink, the village o Vinča hosts a traditional three-day grape picking event

(Oplenačka berba) dedicated to grape and wine each Oc-tober. The hills o Topola are rich in ruit, medicinal herbsand edible mushrooms.

The village o Lipovac is home to one o Šumadija’s old-est oaks. This tree, which measures 5.5 metres in height,inspired local artists to establish the Lipovačka PaintingArts Colony. The village o Ovsište is the birthplace o oneo Serbia’s most prominent writers, Radoje Domanović,and is also home to a number o Serbian satirists.

ARANĐELOVAC – SIGHTSThe small town o Aranđelovac was established during

the reign o Prince Miloš and neighbours the BukovičkaBanja spa. Today Aranđelovac is well known or its Venčacwhite marble, medicinal water and salubrious climate.The town is 85 kilometres rom Belgrade.

ACTIVITIESAranđelovac is also amous or Marble and Sounds,

one o Serbia’s most renowned cultural and artisticevents. Held every summer, the event carries the UNES-CO distinction.

History bus should head to the small town o Orašac

just six kilometres rom Aranđelovac, which marks the site o theFirst Serbian Uprising. The Bukovička Banja spa comprises 25 hect-ares o park space and is home to the ormer summer residenceo the Obrenović Dynasty. Mineral water rom the spa was servedat the Obrenović court and today is one o the most recognisablebrands o bottled water in Serbia. The spa includes a clinic specialis-ing in the medicinal use o mineral water and clay or patients suer-ing rom internal disorders and juvenile diabetes.

Stop by or a restorative experience!



16. KRAGUJEVAC, KNIĆ

The Magnificent RoseKRAGUJEVAC – SIGHTS

Kragujevac, Šumadija’s largest city, lies 120 kilometressouthwest o Belgrade via Topola. Those seeking a more sce-nic route should take the Batočina exit, though this will add20 kilometres to your drive. Kragujevac is also accessible via

train rom Budapest, Thessaloniki and Bar.Kragujevac was the rst capital o the modern Serbianstate. The city rose to prominence during the 1818 to 1839 revo-lution, when the rst cultural and educational institutions o the restored state were established. Along with the JoakimVujić Theatre and Josi Slezinger Royal Orchestra, the city’srst courthouse (1820), gymnasium school (1833), newspaper(Novine serbske), lyceum, cannon (1853) and electrical powerunit (1884) were all established during this period.

The centre o the old capital city lies along the River Lep-enica, with the Holy Trinity Church (Crkva Svete Trojice) andthe old Assembly located on the right bank.

The rst major decisions o the newly ormed Serbian statewere debated and resolved here. The rst Constitution o therestored Serbian state was voted into law during the amous

1835-assembly session on Sretenje religious holiday (Meeting o the Lord). On the let bank o the Lepenica sits the Amidža Resi-dence, the only structure rom the royal complex to have beenrestored. The complex includes a Museum and Prince Miloš’sResidence.

Like many other cities in Serbia, Kragujevac has a lively pedes-trian zone in the city centre. The zone begins at the Square at the

Cross and leads straight to Memorial Park in Šumarice, the sitewhere 7,000 people were killed during WWII.Kragujevac became an industrial power in the mid-19th cen-

tury. The city experienced tremendous growth when it becamethe site o an expansive weapons and vehicle manuacturing ac-tory.

ACTIVITIESKragujevac’s aquarium is the rst o its kind in Serbia and is

home to marine lie and various species o amphibians, reptilesand invertebrates rom across the globe.

The medieval monasteries o Voljavča, Blagoveštenje, Nikolje,Petkovica, Denkovac, Raletinac, Sarinac and Divostin are all in

th e vicinity o Kragujevac. Built in the Moravian style, thesemajestic monasteries eature uniquearchitectural eats and mesmerising

rescoes.The Petkovica Monastery in-

cludes the remains o the Srebr-nica Fortress and the Church o St.Nicholas (Crkva Svetog Nikole). Theortress was a git rom Duke Nikolaand Princess Milica to the St. Pan-teleimon Monastery on the HolyMountain o Athos.

– A visit to the Divostin Monastery – A dip in Gruža Lake– A relaxing drink beneath the linden tree at Borački Karst

WE RECOMMEND:



of Šumadija

THE LEGEND OF THE THREE SISTERS

Not ar rom Velike Pčelice and the valley o the Riv-er Dulenska you will nd the remains o the medi-eval monasteries o Denkovac, Raletinac and Sari-nac. Though the exact year o their construction isunknown, experts believe they were built duringthe reign o Despot Stean, when this region o Serbia was quite prosperous. According to legend,three sisters, Raletina, Dena and Sara, built thesemonasteries to hide rom the Ottomans ollowing

the Battle o Kosovo in 1389.

T O KjvcKj Akd Pv Kđđvć 44,34000 KjvcT: +381 34 332 172, 334 883E-: [email protected]..

T I C KjvcD Z Đđć 11, 34000 KjvcT: +381 34 335 302, 301 306E-: [email protected].

T O Kć McpySkpš Opš Kć, 34240 KćT: +381 34 510 115E-: [email protected].

BELGRADE

16.

The Divostin Monastery is dedicated to the Holy Annun-ciation. According to legend, a saint is buried here and thewater rom the nearby Svetinja (relic) spring contains heal-ing powers.

The people o Kragujevac are known as excellent restaura-teurs. I you are in Kragujevac and craving some delicious lo-cal cuisine, stop by the local tourism organisation and peruse

their list o more than 20 highly recommended restaurants.Whichever type o getaway you are seeking, Kragujevac o-ers a range o options or rest, relaxation and recreation.

KNIĆ – SIGHTSSome 20 kilometres rom Kragujevac, the Municipality o

Knić is worth a visit. This small town, 150 kilometres south o Belgrade, is accessible via road and the Kragujevac–Kraljevorailroad. Located in the centre o the Gruža region, Knić o-ers a number o both Stone Age and Ancient Roman ruins.The Church o St. Elijah (Crkva Svetog Ilije) in Knić was builtin 1910 on the grounds o an 1842 temple.

Outspoken poet Dobrica Erić reerred to Gruža as a mag-

nicent rose, but today the area is known predominantly orcrop arming and ruit growing. Local shermen are grate-ul or Gruža’s sparkling creeks, which are rich in gudgeon,chub and river crab. Although it mainly provides Kragujevac’swater supply, Gruža Lake also oers plenty o quality sh, in-cluding catsh, carp and pikeperch. The lake is also a populartraining acility or local rowing clubs.

ACTIVITIESI you are in search o mind boggling natural phenomena,

head to Borački Karst (Borački krš). These incredible rock or-mations are under state protection. Along with historical re-cords, the ruins o the nearby medieval city suggest that this

was once a diverse and rich settlement.A visit to the ruins o an 8th century church in Borač is amust! Here you will see a linden tree in the church’s entrywaythat is so massive it would be impossible or our adults toencircle its trunk with their arms.

You will nd a similar occurrence at the 15th century Ka-menac Monastery in the village o Čestin. The village also or-ganises a traditional ox chasing competition every winter.The beauty o this area attracts painters rom ar and wideand a Painting Arts Colony – Gružanska jesen assembleshere every autumn.



WE RECOMMEND:– Sipping a shot o homemade

brandy (rakija) in Ljig– Taking lunch in the meadows o

Rajac Mountain– A stroll rom Rudnik to Ostrvice

17. LJIG, GORNJI MILANOVAC

Braid of NatureLJIG – SIGHTS

Located in the oothills o Rajac Mountain along the Ibar-ska motorway, Ljig is 85 kilometres rom Belgrade. The townis also known as Kačer, ater the river that runs through it.Ljig neighbours the towns o Aranđelovac, Gornji Milanovac,

Mionica, Lazarevac and Lajkovac.Ljig, a picturesque small town o 3,000 citizens, is a rela-tively new settlement. Its residents are mostly engaged incrop and vegetable arming, while the town’s homemadebrandy (rakija) and cheese pie (gibanica) are renowned acrossSerbia.

ACTIVITIESIn the past ew years Ljig has become an increasingly

popular tourist destination. The Banja Ljig spa, which is justtwo kilometres rom the town along the Belgrade–PodgoricaHighway, eatures several thermo-mineral waters with anaverage temperature o 32.5°C. You can drink or bathe in the

sparkling mineral waters here, which oer healing benets.

The villages that surround Ljig eature gen-uine cultural treasures. The 15th centurychurch in the settlement o Ba is a mustsee! Visit Rajac and Ravna Gora and ex-plore the ormer summer settlements o shepherds. Stroll around the village o Dići on the road to Gornji Milanovacand discover the ruins o DragutinNemanjić’s church.

Drive along the road linking Ljig and Rajac and you will comeacross the quaint village o Ikonići, which eatures a medievalchurch containing the beautiully adorned cofns o DespotĐurađ Branković, Đurađ Smederevac and Lady Despot Jerina. Ex-plore urther and discover Slavkovica, a delightul town knownor its unique granite.

The Rajac Mountain area is becoming an increasingly appeal-

ing tourist destination. Every second week in July, villages in thearea host a hay-stacking competition (Kosidba na Rajcu) andestival. The event originated as a way o helping landowners inthe area to complete this laborious traditional task. Hay stack-ers wear traditional dress, complete with straw hats and colour-ully embroidered bags. The most skilul – and some say mosthandsome – is crowned master hay stacker (Đidija or Kozbaša)at the end o the estival. The three-day event oers plenty o good ood, drink and entertainment. Crowds o over 50,000participate each year!

GORNJI MILANOVAC – SIGHTSPrince Aleksandar Karađorđević ounded Gornji Milanovac,

which is 124 kilometres rom Belgrade via the Ibarska motor-way. For six years Milanovac was called Despotovica, ater theriver that runs through it, until Prince Miloš changed its nameto honour his late brother Milan, who had died in

Romania.

ACTIVITIESA visit to Gornji Milanovac’sdistrict administrative cen-tre (Okružno načelstvo) is amust! The building is nearlyas old as the city itsel andis today home to the city’s

culture centre, li-



brary, modern art gallery and municipal television station. In ronto the building you will see statues o Prince Alexander, Duke MilanObrenović and a bust o Živojin Mišić, who led the Suvobor–Kolubarabattle here.

Explore urther and you will discover the 1860 Holy Trinity Church(Crkva Svete Trojice), also ounded by Prince Miloš. Another promi-nent site is Peace Hill (Brdo mira), which eatures the unique Norwe-

gian House. The structure is part Viking ship, part traditional Serbianhouse and is a symbol o the riendship shared between the people o Norway and Serbia. The nearby museum eatures an exhibit that payshomage to the Serbs who suered in the Nazi concentration campsin Norway.

Travel beyond Gornji Milanovac and you will nd yoursel in RudnikMountain, which dominates Central Serbia. This mountain settle-ment existed long beore the Slavs arrived. Ancient Romans minedore and minted coins here. Today it is a natural paradise or moun-taineers and hunters. The volcanic Ostrvica Hill and surrounding or-tress ruins are prominent eatures o the area.

The area surrounding Mount Rudnik is home to theVraćevšnica Monastery, which eatures three residencesrom dierent periods and the St. George Church (Crkva Sve-tog Đorđa). The residence o Prince Miloš can be ound justthree kilometres past Vraćevšnica, in Gornja Crnuća. The vil-lage served as Serbia’s capital or three years beore reloca-tion to Kragujevac in 1819.

Takovo, a historic town in Milanovac Municipality, wasthe site o the Second Serbian Uprising (1815) led by MilošObrenović. A visit to the city’s 18th century wooden church,eaturing engraved doors and iconostas, is a must!

Savinac is a small neighbourhood in village o Šarani. Ac-

cording to legend, St. Sava passed through the village on hishorse and some say the horse’s hoo print is still visible. MinaKaradžić, poet, painter and daughter o Vuk Karadžić, is bur-ied under the Savinac Church.

and Histor yThe village o Koštunići is considered the onlygenuine eco village in Serbia. The water hereis so pure that you can drink it straight rom

the creek. Explore Koštunići’s ethno-house,complete with traditional platters, needle-work and woven pieces. The village eaturesthe Prodanovića shop (magaza), an ethno-museum, an exhibit o Boža Prodanović’spaintings, dating back over 120 years, and ahistorical museum dedicated to the Battle o Kolubarska and General Živojin Mišić. Severalprivate households in Koštunići ofer excel-lent accommodation or travellers.

KOŠTUNIĆI

T O Lj McpyKđđv 7, 14240 LjT: +381 14 83 300, 85 242E-: @j.., [email protected].., www.kd.cwww.., www...

T O

Gj Mvc McpyC Dš 2, 32000 Gj MvcT: +381 32 720 566, 720 565E-: @p.k.www...

BELGRADE

17.



18. ČAČAK, LUČANI

Living Among

– A visit to the ruins o the Ancient Roman thermal baths in Čačak – A hike around the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge and Serbia’s Holy Mount Athos– A great time at the Dragačevo Trumpet Festival in Guča

WE RECOMMEND:

ČAČAK – SIGHTSČačak lies along the River Morava and is surrounded by the

Jelica, Ovčar, Kablar and Vujan mountains. The city is 144 kilo-metres rom Belgrade via the Ibarska motorway.

Čačak’s urban centre eatures the remains o a 4th century

Roman settlement, complete with the ruins o thermal bathsand monuments to Jupiter. The villages and agricultural es-tates in the vicinity boast numerous remnants o the Romanperiod.

Built by Prince Miloš’s brother Jovan in 1835, the residenceo Jovan Obrenović is one o the oldest surviving structures inČačak. The residence, which has been converted into a mu-seum, is the only remaining symbol o the Obrenović Dynasty.The museum eatures three permanent exhibits. They includea historical depiction spanning rom the Neolithic age to themiddle ages, Čačak’s Ovčar-Kablar monasteries and churches,and scenes o Čačak’s uprisings and conicts between 1804and 1941.

A number o Čačak’s structures still eature their originalexterior. They include the Regional Administrative Centre

(Okružno načelstvo), Falcon House (Sokolski dom), the gym-nasium school, Hadžić House (Hadžića kuća), DragomirovićPalace and Mayor Gavrilović’s house. The Nadežda Petrović ArtGallery and memorial honour the ounder o the contempo-rary art movement in Serbia.

Visit the Čačak cemetery and you will discover a uniquemonument to those who ought in WWI. The monument,erected in 1934, eatures Orthodox and Catholic crosses, theIslamic Crescent and the Jewish Star o David.

The Tanasko Rajić Monument on Ljubić Hill honours thememory o a legendary cannon operator rom the First SerbianUprising. The Gradina archaeological site atop Jelica Moun-tain is located in the village o Grab just eight kilometres romČačak. The expansive site, which includes the remains o an8th century Byzantine ortied city, suggests the settlement

T O ČčkT Uk 4, 32000 ČčkT: +381 32 342 360E-: [email protected]..

T I C ČčkT: +381 32 343 031, 343 721

T I C Ovč BjT: +381 32 5596 250

C C, Sp d T

Lč Mcpy „Dčv-Gč“T d , 32230 GčT: +381 32 854 110, 854 765E-: [email protected]

enjoyed a vibrant economy and rich culture. Just 10 kilometres rom Čačak, the stunning Ovčar-Kablar

Gorge cuts across the River Morava and marks the site o tenmagnicent 14th century monasteries and two holy places. Thisvalley is oten reerred to as Serbia’s Holy Mount Athos.

You will nd several o these majestic monasteries tucked

away on the right bank o the Morava. They include Vavedenje,dedicated to the Presentation o the Virgin Mary, Vaznesenje, inhonour o the Ascension o the Lord, Preobraženje, dedicated tothe Rising o Christ, Sretenje, in honour o the Purication o theVirgin Mary, and Sveta Trojica, dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

On the let bank o the Morava you will nd the second clustero these remarkable monasteries. They include Blagoveštenje,dedicated to the Holy Annunciation, Ilinje, in honour o St. Eli-

jah, Jovanje, dedicated to the birth o St. John the Baptist, Us-penje, dedicated to the Assumption, and Nikolje, in honour o St. Nicholas.

Apart rom this plethora o monasteries, we highly recom-mend a visit to the Kađenica Reuge Church and the Savinje

Church, dedicated to St. Sava. Both showcase the Raška schoolo architectural style. Along with the monasteries in the area,both churches at one time maintained workshops or booktranscription and illustration, icon painting and the crating o sacred objects.

ACTIVITIESI you love the outdoors and enjoy shing, mountaineering,

rating and extreme sports, the mountains o Ovčar and Kab-



Monuments

For more than two decades, pipe players have gath-ered every July (Sabor rulaša) in the small town o Prislonica near Čačak. This unique event, which wasounded by legendary pipe player Miodrag Mile Aza-njac, aims to preserve the indigenous olk culture,customs and musical traditions o Serbia. Pipe mak-

ers and other cratsmen display their crats alongsideweavers and embroiderers. I you happen to be visit-ing, try one o the traditional dishes here.

THE PRISLONICE PIPES

lar are perect or you. At Ovčar you can learn to paraglide andenjoy spectacular aerial views, while Kablar oers courses inextreme mountain climbing.

I a relaxing getaway is more your style, visit one o Čačak’sthree mineral water spas. The Ovčar Banja spa eatures sooth-ing thermal waters and the beautiul vistas o the Ovčar-Kablar

Gorge. Atomska Banja Gornja Trepča spa is world renownedor its therapeutic medicinal waters. The thermo-mineral wa-ter here contains rare and restorative microelements. Let themild climate, lush vegetation and resh mountain air renewyour senses. I you are seeking a unique spot or a spa getaway,head to the Atomska Banja Gornja Trepča spa, which is close toa wide range o cultural and historical monuments.

Čačak organises over thirty dierent cultural and sportingevents annually. One o the most prominent is Dis’s Spring, inhonour o poet Vladimir Petković Dis. The May estival has ex-isted or several decades and has enjoyed the participation o aprousion o distinguished 20th-century poets.

LUČANI – SIGHTSThe municipality o Lučani is accessible via Užice, Požega

and Čačak, just o the road that winds through the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. The Dragačevo area covers most o Lučani andboasts many cultural monuments that date back to ancienttimes and include traces o the Roman period and medievalSerbia. I you only have time to see a ew, we highly recom-mend Breg, Zbegovište and Oranica.

The ancient churches o this municipality share the unor-tunate ate o the inhabitants here. Sadly, no church remainssurvive rom the period o the First Serbian Upris-ing. Restoration and newconstruction

only began ollowing the Second Serbian Uprising in 1815.Nature here is pristine and largely untouched. The residents

o Dragačevo have worked hard to preserve their environmentand protect it rom degeneration. Ecologists in Dragačevoare especially proud o Radanova Gora, a hill in the village o Guča. This nature spot is the rst and only private orest un-der state protection in Serbia. Also under protection o the

state are Dragačevo Trees – nine trees scattered across variousDragačevo villages.

ACTIVITIESThe Dragačevo Trumpet Festival has put the village o Guča,

16 kilometres rom Lučani, on the world map. Every year in therst week o August thousands o people rom across the globeconverge on this small town to enjoy the music o Balkan brassbands. For a ew estive days, Guča is transormed into theworld trumpet capital. The event, which has taken place annu-ally or 50 years, eatures good music, good un and hardy ood.Here you can sample roasted meat and svadbarski kupus (wed-ding cabbage), a local speciality.

Those wanting to explore more o Guča can head to theunique Museum o Roadside Tombstones (Muzej krajputaša)behind the town schoolhouse. The museum eatures roadsidetombstones rom across the Dragačevo area. Thesepillar-shaped tombstones display a photoo the deceased and are either carved orpainted.

BELGRADE

18.



19. ŠABAC, BOGATIĆ, LOZNICA

Fancy a FairŠABAC – SIGHTS

Šabac is located 85 kilometres west o Belgrade on the Riv-er Sava. The town reached its peak in the 19th century largelythanks to its position adjacent to the prosperous region o Vo-

jvodina. Šabac was the rst city in Serbia to have an orchestra,

piano, hospital and pharmacy.

Built in 1931, the church o St. Peter and Paul dominates thecity centre. It eatures an iconostasis decorated by Pavle Simić,a prominent 19th-century painter. Located on the premises o the town’s 1856 junior high school, the National Museum dis-plays a ormidable collection o archaeological, historical andethnographical arteacts. The remarkable House o Krsmanovićis located on Karađorđeva Street, the city’s main pedestrianwalkway.

Visitors seeking a unique destination should head to thenearby village o Metlić and visit the Ašik gravesite. It commem-orates the tragic love between Pavle and Đula, the two maincharacters in a novel by Janko Veselinović.

The Turks built the rectangular Šabac Fortress in the medi-eval city o Zaslon in 1470. A canal surrounds the ortress, whichhas one remaining tower and all our walls.

ACTIVITIESEvery year Šabac organises the Orthodox Nativity o the Vir-

gin Mary Fair, which is considered one o the most estive eventsin Serbia. Since 1968 Šabac has hosted Čivijada, Serbia’s most re-nowned humour and satire estival. Mišar is a small town closeto Šabac known as the site where the great Karađorđe deeatedthe Turks. The battle is described in the epic poem Boj na Mišaru(Battle o Mišar).

The legendary Cer Mountain was the site o the battle o Cer.It was here that Stepa Stepanović led one o Serbia’s great vic-tories o WWI. Nowadays it is a popular excursion site eaturinga beautiul mountain lodge with an amazing view o the Mačva

T O ŠcKđđv 5, 15000 ŠcT: +381 15 347 383E-: [email protected].

T I C ŠcT: +381 15 347 384

T O Lzc

Jv Cvjć 20, 15300 LzcT: +381 15 878 520E-: [email protected].

Plain. Cer Mountain is located just 25 kilometres rom Šabac.Each June sees the village o Lipolist host the Festival o the

Lipolist Rose, which kicks o with the distributing o 1,000roses on Šabac’s pedestrian walkway. Lipolist is renowned orits rose growing. The village exports approximately a third o its annual production o 700,000 rose seedlings to countiesacross the European Union.

BOGATIĆ – SIGHTSBogatić is situated in the ar northwestern corner o Serbia

at the conuence o the Drina and Sava rivers. Though the ar-ea’s tributary rivers, the Starača, Batar, Bitva and Žurava, havedried out, three quarters o the land here is highly ertile.

ACTIVITIESVisit the village o Dublje and discover its incredible hot

springs. At a depth o 412 metres, the water temperature hereaverages 75 degrees Celsius. The springs were discovered just20 years ago. Bogatić borders Republika Srpska, which is con-nected to Serbia via the Pavlović Bridge.

LOZNICA – SIGHTSLoznica is located 139 kilometres west o Belgrade in an

area once inhabited by ancient Illyrians. Its archaeologicalsites date back to 900–300 B.C. The rst modern sulphurbaths were built in Banja Koviljača spa, just a ew miles rom



in Šabac…BELGRADE

19.

According to legend, Jug-Bogdan and the nine Jugović brothers built a ountain in ront o theTronoša Monastery beore departing or theBattle o Kosovo. Archimandrite Metodije andMladen Isaković, a salesman rom Lešnica, re-constructed the ountain in 1894. Jovan, thebishop o Šabac–Valjevo, and Antonije Đurđević,the abbot o Tronoša Monastery, renovated thechapel beside the ountain. The chapel is dedi-

cated to the Holy Panteleimon. Its exterior ea-tures a mosaic mural depicting Jug-Bogdan andthe nine Jugović brothers on their horses pre-paring to depart or the Battle o Kosovo.

– A visit to the Gallery o Mića Popović – Buying a rose in Lipolist– A visit to Vuk Karadžić house in Tršić

WE RECOMMEND:

FOUNTAIN OF THE NINE JUGOVIĆ BROTHERS

Loznica. The spa, which is 142 kilometres rom Belgrade, datesback to ancient times. The mineral water here is an ideal 15 to28 degrees Celsius and the spa also eatures a beautiul 20thcentury park surrounded by grand old villas and hotels. Themost beautiul is the 1932 Kursalon building, built by KingAleksandar Karađorđević. Because o his involvement, thespa is oten reerred to as the royal spa.

You will nd Banja Badanja spa in the vicinity o the Drinavalley. The area eatures rich hunting grounds in Boranja andCer. Just 17 kilometres rom Loznica you will nd the TronošaMonastery. Built by King Dragutin, the monastery’s churchwas completed just ater his death in 1317. Subsequent rulingamilies, including the Nemanjić, Hrebeljanović, Brankovićand Kotromanić dynasties, later recognised the TronošaMonastery. Over the course o the last ew centuries themonastery has been torn down and rebuilt numerous times.The most recent reconstruction was completed in 1961. Todayit eatures a museum dedicated to Vuk Karadžić, prominentSerbian linguist and language reormer, who learned to readand write here.

ACTIVITIES Just six kilometres rom Tronoša is the village o Tršić, ea-

turing an expansive ethno complex. Thirty-ve o its acilities,including the Dositej Museum and Gallery, are under stateprotection. The complex includes Karadžić’s property, memo-rial house and barn. Each September Tršić hosts an interna-tional gathering o Slavists rom around the world known asVukov Sabor. A visit to this site is a must!



20. KRUPANJ, KOCELJEVA, VLADIMIRCI, MALI ZVORNIK

Creat ive WaterKRUPANJ – SIGHTS

Krupanj is nestled among the Boranja, Jagodnja and Sokolske mountains o western Ser-bia. The area, which includes Vlašić and the River Jadar, is known as Rađevina. It borders

Loznica to the northwest and Šabac to the north. Krupanj is accessible rom Bel-grade (150 kilometres) via Valjevo or Šabac. Because Rađevina is at altitude,

it enjoys a unique microclimate. Summer nights are cool and precipita-tion is more requent. As there is no industry or miles, the air and waterhere are pure and the ood is healthy and organic. Though a small town,

Krupanj boasts quite a turbulent history. During WWII Žikica JovanovićŠpanac called on the people o neighbouring Bela Crkva to rise up against

the invaders. For several decades, July 7th (Ivanjdan) was commemoratedas Dan Ustanka (Day o the Uprising). Mačkov Kamen (923 m) atop Jagodnja

Mountain marks the site o an horric historic battle in 1914. A memorial crypto the heroes who ought and died here is located on the mountain peak. There

is an additional crypt in the 1932 Memorial Church o the Ascension o Our Lord(Spomen-crkva Svetog Vaznesenja Gospodnjeg) in Krupanj.

ACTIVITIESApart rom its historical signicance, Mačkov kamen also attracts win-ter sports enthusiasts. It oers several ski runs and lits and plenty o space

or sledding. Hunting and shing at one o Krupanj’s our rivers is also a popu-lar pastime.

KOCELJEVA – SIGHTSThe charming town o Koceljeva is located between Šabac, Valjevo, Loznica

and Ub and below Cer and Vlašić. Koceljeva has a unique history. It was romhere that priest Luka Lazarević walked to the Battle o Mišar, while Koceljeva isalso the hometown o the amous Janko Veselinović, a teacher whose Hajduk-Stanko was an inspiration to many Serbian youngsters.

ACTIVITIESThe area boasts many plentiul hunting spots. The Tamnava hunting groundsoer more than 3,000 rabbits, 3,500 pheasants, 1,500 partridges and as manyas 500 roe deer.

Water is the essence o Mali Zvornik. Indeed, with anabundance o pristine drinking water, a hydroelectricpower plant on the Drina and a water accumulationdam on the River Radaljska, water is the lieblood o Mali

Zvornik. People have journeyed to the springs in the vil-lage o Radalj since ancient times, seeking to cure theirailments. The streams here are also rich in sh. Accordingto legend, there is a giant catsh known as the Toša mon-ster that lurks in these waters.

THE POWER OF WATER



Energy

BELGRADE

20.

T O Kpj McpyMš T 2, 15314 KpjT: +381 15 684 094, x. 131E-: [email protected]..

– A ski trip at Mačkov Kamen– A swim in Vukošićka Bara Lake– A stroll around the pond at Kaona Monastery

WE RECOMMEND:

VLADIMIRCI – SIGHTSAccording to the legend Miloš Obilić built the Kaona Monastery in the vi-

cinity o Vladimirci. Though the exact date is unknown, historical records in-dicate that the old church had existed long beore 1756 when it was rebuilt.The monastery’s Byzantine church, dedicated to St. Archangel Michael, waserected atop the oundation o a previous church. A small pond was added

in 1982 to incorporate the two small streams that encircle the monastery.The early Christian-style baptismal ont, modelled ater Teba Tesalijska, wasbuilt in 1984.

ACTIVITIESI you are in the mood or a rereshing swim, the 60 hectare Vukošićka

Bara natural lake contains the most pristine water in the region.

MALI ZVORNIK – SIGHTSMali Zvornik, the administrative centre o Mačva District,

lies along the Zvornik–Tuzla–Sarajevo Highway. Some

170 kilometres rom Belgrade and 80 kilometres romŠabac, Mali Zvornik and its satellite settlements wereestablished in 1955 to coincide with the completion o ahydroelectric plant on the River Drina.

A system o underground passages is easily thecity’s main attraction. The elaborate underground laby-rinth was built in 1931 as a command spot and shel-ter or the King and chie commander. Accordingto historical records, the young King Petar IIKarađorđević spent his last night in the countryhere sometime in April 1941. Even though thetunnel has not been ully explored, it has an es-timated length o two kilometres and was dugin the shape o a cross. It contains the remainso a chapel, an altar room, a King’s cham-

ber, a reshwater well and other neces-sities required or an extended stayunderground. There is some specula-tion that natural phenomena createda tunnel connected to the labyrinthunder the Drina riverbed.



21. OSEČINA, LJUBOVIJA

Everlast ingOSEČINA – SIGHTS

Osečina is located 130 kilometres rom Belgrade on theValjevo–Loznica regional road along western Serbia’s River

Jadar. According to historical records, this region o Serbiawas completely abandoned during the Turkish occupation.

The countryside was scattered with empty villages. Even theTurks rarely set oot in the area. Ilija Birčanin, a prominentrebel leader rom the region, was killed in the lead-up to theFirst Serbian Uprising. Though the Turks slaughtered himalong with other key gures o the movement during the Sečaknezova (Slaughter o the Princes), the uprising continued.

Until the 20th century, all settlements in this region exceptOsečina were rural. With a smattering o shops, traditionalrestaurants and caes, the town is now the most developedin the region.

Osečina and its surroundings are amous or producingplentiul ruit, including plum, raspberry and blackberry.You can sample them resh or try one the region’s renownedstews, jams, marmalades, juices and ruitcakes. Fruit grownhere is also used to make an assortment o high quality plum

brandies and wines. Osečina also produces superb dairy andmeat products.

ACTIVITIESApart rom its delectable organic oerings, the region

boasts a variety o game or hunting and medicinal and or-est herbs. The largest hunting lodge in the area is Tisovik.Osečina’s natural beauty includes a network o rivers, streamsand brooks that oer crab and plenty o trout. Visitors inter-ested in shing should head to the Jadar, Lovačka, Ljuboviđa,Pecka, or Ostružanjka rivers, where they are most likely tocatch chub, gudgeon or trout. The region is also one o therare natural habitats o the grion vulture. Whether you en-

– A shot o rakija in Osečina– A visit to Sokograd– A fshing trip on the River Drina

WE RECOMMEND:

joy hunting, shing or are in search o an ideal ecotourism spot,Osečina has it all. The region prides itsel on healthy living in apristine natural environment.

Visit the village o Skadar and you will discover a charming17th-century log cabin church built by settlers in the area. Thechurch, which is dedicated to the Ascension o Our Lord, isadorned with six beautiul pillars and carved doors. It was reno-vated in 1978.

Over the past ew years Sokograd has become a amous pil-grimage and excursion site. The ruined city, a military ortica-tion dating back to Roman times, is located next to Osečina,Ljubovija and Krupanj. At one time several armies sought tocontrol this border town, which was quite prosperous underTurkish control. The Turks called it Sultan’s Bride. Today you canenjoy Sokograd’s beautiul sites, including a golden cross thatwas built amongst the town’s ruins and the ten chapels thatline the town’s hillside and represent the Ten Commandments.Venture onto the oothills o Sokograd and discover a monas-tery and monument dedicated to St. Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović.



Beauty

Sokograd is home to Moba, a unique annual eventor young people o Serbian origin. The event takesplace every July in the St. Nikolaj Srpski Monasteryand is organised by the Ljubovija Municipality, theSerbian Orthodox Church and the Centre o Emi-grants o Serbia. Moba draws approximately 200young people o Serbian origin rom across theglobe. During their stay at St. Nikolaj Srpski they

socialise, help clean the monastery, practice Ser-bian and learn about the geography and history o their ancestors.

MOBA

T O „Pd“OčKđđv 59, 14253 OčT: +381 14 452 311E-: [email protected]

T O

Ljvj McpyVjvd Mšć 45, 15320 LjvjT: +381 15 661 050E-: [email protected].,www.ckzcjjvj.

BELGRADE

21.

LJUBOVIJA – SIGHTSThe Ljuboviđa Canyon is a majestic mix o mountain peaks, lush pastures and views o the winding green ribbons o the River

Ljuboviđa. At one time the canyon trailed the main road rom western Serbia to Bosnia. The beautiul arch o the Roman Bridge,called Jerina Bridge by locals, artully transverses the Ljuboviđa. Though its name suggests otherwise, the bridge’s architecture isactually Turkish.

Ljubovija Municipality borders Osečina and the River Drina in the direction o Bosnia’s Republika Srpska. Locals call this area,which is 200 kilometres rom Belgrade, Azbukovica, reerringto themselves as Azbukovčani.

ACTIVITIESThe mystical River Drina is easily the highlight o Ljubovija.

Its abundance o sh attracts a great number o nature loversand shermen. When visiting the area, including Podrinje, youwill notice that nearly every house has its own piece o shore-line along the river.

Despite its potential as an untappeddestination, Ljubovija has never de-veloped a commercialised tourist

industry. As a result, it has main-tained its character and naturalbeauty.

Ljubovija is home to the DrinaRegatta, which takes place an-nually on the second Saturday

in July. The event attracts water sports enthusiasts rom across Europe. Apart rom the regatta, thetown stages a number o airs and estivals throughout the year. Ivanjdan, on July 7th, is one o themost popular!



22. VALJEVO, DIVČIBARE, MIONICA, LAJKOVAC, UB

CelebratingVALJEVO – SIGHTS

Valjevo lies 95 kilometres southwest o Belgrade via HighwayE-760. Situated beside the River Kolubara, the town sprang upalong the old trade route rom Belgrade to Bosnia in the oot-hills o the Medvednik, Povlen, Jablanik and Maljen mountains.

On one side o the Kolubara, Valjevo’s central square eaturesa monument to Duke Živojin Mišić, an outstanding army lead-er rom WWI. The square also eatures the National Museum,housed in a building dating back to 1870.

The oldest building in Valjevo is Muselimov konak (Muselim’sResidence). Built in the 18th century, its architecture is simpleand eatures scant remnants o Turkish inuence. Nowadays theresidence displays a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Firstand Second Serbian Uprisings. The old part o town, known asTešnjar, is located on the other side o the Kolubara. Built in theSerbian-Balkan style during the 18th and 19th centuries, prior toWWI Tešnjar was the heart o the town. Today it eatures sev-eral new establishments, including caes, restaurants and bou-tiques. The neighbourhood also hosts a traditional jazz estivaland the annual Tešnjarske večeri (Tešnjar evenings) event. Come

and explore this cultural gem or yoursel! Built in 1813 by Jakov,brother o murdered Prince Aleksa Nenadović, Kula Nenadovića(Nenadović Tower) lies at the conuence o the Gradac and Kol-ubara rivers near Valjevo.

The village o Brankovina, just 12 kilometres rom the centreo Valjevo, has maintained the traditional unity o school andchurch. Brankovina rose to prominence during the dramaticevents o the 19th century and served as the birthplace o a num-ber o key gures in Serbian culture. The village shares close tieswith the remarkable Nenadović amily, which came to powerduring the Serbian revolution. Seven kilometres rom Valjevois the world amous 14th-century Ćelije Monastery. Apart romĆelije, there are several other monasteries in this area datingback to the 15th and 17th centuries.

– A visit to the house where Živojin Mišić was born– A drink rom the Banja Vrujci Spring– A visit to the Jolić watermill near Lajkovac

WE RECOMMEND:

Great Serbian poet Desanka Maksimović laudedthe merits o the town o Brankovina in the 20thcentury. Her most amous collection o poemswas called Tražim pomilovanje (I seek amnesty)and a visit to Brankovina will reveal her grave anda museum in her honour. Every May the towncelebrates this great artist by hosting Desankinimajski razgovori (Desanka’s May Discussions).Brankovina is also home to the Raspberry Day cel-ebration, held each June.

BRANKOVINA

ACTIVITIESPetnica is the most popular destination or locals in the

area. Just ve kilometres rom Valjevo, Petnica eatures a cave,a number o prehistoric archaeological sites and the remainso Ice Age auna. Petnica has an accumulation lake that’s ideal

or shing, while there is also a sports and recreation centrewith our outdoor swimming pools. Petnica is also home toa research centre or young people whose interests extendbeyond the classroom. The River Gradac near Valjevo is truly asight to behold. Awash with watermills and shponds, it is ex-tremely rich in ora and auna. Travel south rom Valjevo andyou will discover Maljen Mountain, amous or its bloomingmeadows o white daodils. This 1,108-metre-high mountainis home to a July estival dedicated to this beautiul ower.

Holidaymakers seeking a mountain retreat should head toDivčibare, which oers an air spa and plenty o distractions.The area abounds with springs, streams and wateralls, in-cluding the Skakalo Waterall on the River Manastirka. Alongwith others in the area, this mountain resort has a number o excellent mountain lodges. The villages in the area a typical o

the Šumadija style and specialise in producing mouthwater-ing duvan-čvarci (smoked pork scratchings).

MIONICA – SIGHTSMionica is 92 kilometres rom Belgrade and its church is re-

nowned or its Hadži-Ruvim Icon Painting School. The high-



the Past

BELGRADE

22.

JP „Vjv-“P Mj 1/1, 14000 VjvT: +381 14 221 138, 236 393E-: [email protected].,[email protected].

www.dvc.T I C VjvT: +381 14 236 393

T I C DvčT: +381 14 277 252E-: [email protected]

T O „Rc“ McVjvd Mšć 30, 14242 McT: +381 14 62 080E-: [email protected].,www.c.w.c

T I C Bj VjcT: +381 14 66 030

light o the town is certainly its monument to Duke Živojin Mišić. Tenkilometres rom Mionica, the village o Struganik is home to the housewhere Mišić was born. This semi-cabin maintains the same interiorrom Mišić’s youth. Each July the village hosts the Days o Mišić event(Mišićevi dani) to honour the amous Duke.

ACTIVITIESThe majority o people in this area are involved in ruit growing and

cattle breeding. However, as tourists have discovered the area Mionicahas developed into a rural tourism destination. Head to Berkovac, Pla-ninica and Popadić to discover it or yoursel. The scenic River RibnicaGorge oers plenty o ideal spots or hunting and shing. Head to one o the area’s local traditional restaurants and sample some delicious localdelicacies. Mionica is also home to the amous Banja Vrujci spa, whichproduces high quality bottled water ree o any preservatives.

LAJKOVACLocated 70 kilometres rom Belgrade, Lajkovac is one o the most im-

portant stops on the Belgrade–Bar railway. Its scenic surroundings andhistorical monuments draw visitors rom all over Serbia and the area’smost prominent cultural site is the Bogovađa Monastery, built in 1543.

Lajkovac is home to the only working stone watermillin the area. Built some 300 years ago along with 27 oth-er mills along the River Kolubara, the Jolić watermill isstill grinding wheat today.

UBUb Municipality is a traditional wheat-growing re-

gion that also produces a range o agricultural prod-ucts. Ub is also known or developing some o the most

talented names in Serbian ootball, including DraganDžajić. His success inspired the construction o a num-ber o sports elds and athletic tracks here. PaljuveLake, in the vicinity o Ub, is well known or its huntingand shing acilities.



23. UŽICE, POŽEGA, KOSJERIĆ

An Unforgettable

– A train ride on the Šargan Eight railway – A tour o the village o Kremna and the legacy o the

Tarabić amily – A shot o plum brandy in Požega

WE RECOMMEND:

UŽICE – SIGHTSUžice is 187 kilometres rom Belgrade and accessible via

road or rail routes. This charming town on the banks o theRiver Đetinja is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush orestsand steep clis. Given its hilly geography, the town’s expan-sion has created steep streets and neighbourhoods removedrom the city centre.

The history o the town dates back to Roman times, butaccording to town records Užice’s rst primary school andrst high school were only opened in 1839. Its rst post ofceopened in 1841 and its rst library and hospital were estab-lished in 1853.

Užice ofcially became part o Serbia in 1866. At the begin-ning o WWII it was the centre o the reestanding territory,called the Republic o Užice. The town was under the controlo the Partisans or 67 days beore being brutally occupied.For this reason the town was called Tito’s Užice (Titovo Užice)in 1946, a name it would keep until 1992.

You will nd the village o Zlakusa in the vicinity o Užice. Apart rom its scenic nature and meadows,rich in strawberries and medicinal herbs, Zlakusa isalso known or its artul pottery. The local potterytradition dates back three centuries and Zlakusapottery includes clay stew pots and pans that givethe ood prepared in them an extraordinary tasteand smell. Ceramic amphorae made in Zlakusa havebeen exported to nearly every continent. Every sum-mer Zlakusa hosts the International Art Colony o Ceramics and Pottery, while each autumn the townhosts the estive Autumn in Zlakusa event.

POTTERY FROM ZLAKUSA

The Užice Fortress is easily the town’s main highlight. Its ruinsare located west o the town centre high on the clis above theĐetinja, which ows in an S-shape here.

You will nd an old-style miniature hydroelectric power plantrom 1900 in the picturesque valley below the old town. Theplant was only the second in the world to apply the Tesla prin-ciple o polyphase electrical power. Today its working plant com-

ponents are on display at the Museum o Technical Devices.Užice’s main town square, eaturing the National Theatre

and National Library, was built ollowing WWII. Užice’s St. Savasquare eatures the mid-19th century St. George’s Orthodox Ca-thedral.

ACTIVITIESI you are looking or an ideal spot to swim, head to the banks

o the Đetinja near the town centre. Here you will nd a beauti-ul beach where the locals head to cool o during the hot sum-mer months. There is even a diving competition o the old rail-way bridge.

In the nearby village o Karan you will nd the White Church



Train Ride

BELGRADE

23.

(Bela crkva), dating back to 1337. Constructed in the Raška style,the church eatures original portraits o its patrons: St. Brian andhis amily, Tsar Dušan and Tsarina Jelena.

You will discover western Serbia’s most remarkable caveo the Belgrade–Užice motorway. The Potpeć Cave eatures a50-metre-high entrance and you can explore its unusual shapeand exquisite ormations thanks to 555 metres o installed light-

ing.

In Kadinjača you will nd a monument dedicated to a Partisanbattalion that was killed ollowing the loss o the independentRepublic o Užice. It is located just 14 kilometres rom Užice on ahigh plateau. Meanwhile, in nearby Sevojno you will nd a log-cabin style church and the Terzića avlija ethno park, dedicated topreserving the tradition and olklore o this region.

The amous Tarabić amily hailed rom the village o Kremna,which is located between mounts Tara and Zlatibor. The Kremnaprophecies are attributed to this amily. Kremna was convertedinto an air spa at the beginning o the 20th century.

The town o Mokra Gora is amous or the Šargan Eight Rail-

way and Drvengrad (Wooden Town). One o the most ascinat-ing and un destinations in Europe, the Šargan Eight Railwayorms a gure eight loop and oers a ride eaturing stunningvalleys, mountain views and tunnels that’s un or all the amily.

Drvengrad is Mokra Gora’s lm-themed ethno village thatwas built by local lm director Emir Kusturica on Mećavnik Hill.The charming traditional village eatures a small Russian-stylechurch dedicated to St. Sava, a town square made entirely outo wood, traditional Serbian and Bosnian log cabins, a gallery,library and cinema. Drvengrad’s annual Zavičajni dani (NativeLand Days) draws a number o tourists rom Serbia and acrossthe world.

POŽEGALocated 180 kilometres rom Belgrade and 25 kilometres

rom Užice, the town o Požega is rich in springs, sparklingmountain streams and crystal clear mineral water. Požega isrenowned or growing plums that are ideal or the production

o rakija or slivovitz (plum brandy).

Built in 1839, Požega’s main church honours Emperor Con-stantine and Empress Jelena. The Godovik Monastery, dedi-cated to St. George, was one o the rst monasteries to bebuilt in this region during the golden era o the Nemanjić Dy-nasty. The log cabin style church in the nearby village o Goro-bilje is amous or its icons o St. John the Baptist, the HolyApostle and the Last Supper. Though the artist is unknown,the inuence o Russian baroque is clearly evident in theicons.

KOSJERIĆKosjerić Municipality, 136 kilometres rom Belgrade just o

the highway leading to Montenegro, comprises ve charm-ing villages. The municipality is home to the Čobanski Dani(Shepherd’s Days) event, which takes place every July. Thisestive event celebrates traditional customs and traditions,drawing over 1,000 exhibitors and thousands o visitors.

T O UžcT pz 10, 31000 UžcT: +381 31 592 419E-: @p.k.,[email protected].

www.zzc..,www...

T I C UžcDj Tcvć 52, 31000 UžcT: +381 31 500 555E-: c@.

T O Pž McpyFck – Bz c, 31210 PžT: +381 31 714 650E-: [email protected]..

T O Kjć Mcpy

Kđđv . 66, 31260 KjćT: +381 31 782 155E-: [email protected]., [email protected], www.ckd.



24. BAJINA BAŠTA, TARA, DRINA

Down the Raging RapiBAJINA BAŠTA – SIGHTS

Tucked away in the oothills o Mount Taraclose to Serbia’s border with Bosnia, BajinaBašta is accessible rom Belgrade via Užice (180kilometres) or Valjevo (150 kilometres). Oten

reerred to as the pearl o western Serbia, thisbeautiul mountain town lies on the shoreso the River Drina. Built in 1882, Bajina Bašta’sstreets all intersect at a right angle, while itsbeautiul homes and beaches on the Drinamake this city a antastic getaway.

Just six kilometres south o Bajina Bašta youwill discover the 13th-century Rača Monastery,ounded by King Dragutin. Nestled in the Taraoothills, the monastery was once a centre ortranscribing liturgical books. The Rača Schoolo transcription is lauded as the guardian o Serbia’s national identity.

ACTIVITIESEvery rst week in October Bajina Bašta andRača host the Days o Rača event, which ea-

– A visit to the Rača Monastery – A stroll through the Tepih livada (Meadow Carpets) o Tara National Park – Rating down the Drina Canyon

WE RECOMMEND:



ACTIVITIESBajina Bašta is home to the greatest rally races in Serbia

and every year the best drivers compete in the Hill Race,Obren Tešić Memorial Tara Rally and the YU rally EuropeanChampionship. Motor sports lovers hoping to watch thisadrenaline-uelled extravaganza can nd comortable ac-commodations at the Omorika or Beli Bor hotels or in oneo numerous private B&Bs around Tara.

ds of the Drina

BELGRADE

24.

T d Sp C Bj BšM Ovć 34/2,

31250 Bj BšT: +381 31 865 900E-: [email protected],www..

Tara is home to the rare Pančić spruce, whichis native to Serbia. The tree is named ater Josi Pančić, a amous Serbian biologist and the rstpresident o the Serbian Academy o Sciences.Pančić discovered the spruce in 1871 and youwill only nd the spruce, which is protected bythe state, along the middle section o the RiverDrina. Though the Pančić spruce can reach aheight o 35 metres, its short branches makeit appear even taller. I you want to get a goodlook at this natural wonder, head to Bilješkastijena just above Perućac Lake.

PANČIĆ SPRUCE (SERBIAN SPRUCE)

tures an intense artistic programme and scientic discussions.Outstanding creators who participate in the event are awardedthe Rača Diploma.

TARA – SIGHTSTara National Park comprises Tara Mountain, Zvijezda Moun-

tain and a portion o the Drina Canyon. With over 1000 specieso plants and owers, Tara is home to nearly a third o Serbia’sora. The park, which is 80% orestland, provides a natural habi-tat or the chamois, brown bear and the native Pančićev skakavac(Pančić’s grasshopper). Tara is also home to over 130 bird and 37sh species. The unique peat that blankets the ground is called Te-pih livada (meadow carpet) and can truly make you eel as thoughyou are walking on a carpet.

Tara is renowned or its plentiul water sources. The park ea-tures a network o springs and streams that ow into the Drina.The Perućac Spring spouts an astonishing 300 litres o water persecond into the Drina, while Tara’s most spectacular wateralls arethe Veliki and Mali Skakavac.

DRINA – SIGHTSThe Drina surrounds Tara to the north and west. Perućac Lake,

created with the construction o a 93-metre dam extending toVišegrad, is a popular spot or rating and shing. The spectacularcrystal clear lake covers a surace area o 28 square kilometres, is55 kilometres long and 88 m deep. The nearby Zaovine Lake, con-nected to Perućac Lake via a tunnel, is also an idyllic spot to enjoya rereshing swim.

The impressive Drina Canyon is located just upstream rom thedam and is the world’s third deepest canyon. Though the construc-tion o a hydroelectric plant has made rating along certain pointso the Drina challenging, experienced kayakers still navigate thesedynamic waters.



25. ČAJETINA, ZLATIBOR

Mountain V iews

– A visit to the Staro Selo Museum in Sirogojno– A visit to one o the wateralls near Gostilje– A taste o traditional smoked ham and komplet lepinja

(a meat and egg sandwich)

WE RECOMMEND:

ČAJETINA AND ZLATIBOR – SIGHTSČajetina lies on the northern edge o Zlatibor Mountain

and the town itsel is 230 kilometres southwest o Belgradevia the highway towards Užice and the Montenegrin coast.

Zlatibor Mountain is known or its pleasant climate,beautiul landscapes and clean air. The average altitude o the Zlatibor plateau is 1000m, while its highest peaks areTornik (1496 m) and Čigota (1422m). Zlatibor’s magnicentscenery includes meadows, pastures, pine woods, brooksand streams. At Crni Rzav you will nd the glorious RibnicaLake, while the River Gostilje eatures a magnicent water-all. Zlatibor’s high altitude and sun-drenched days make itan ideal year-round destination.

Visitors come rom ar and wide to enjoy sports, recre-ation, relaxation, conerences and outdoor un. Individuals

suering rom thyroid ailments come to Zlatibor to enjoythe resh mountain air and seek treatment at one o thearea’s specialised clinics.

The majority o acilities or visitors are located in thecentre o Zlatibor. The town oers a wide range o hotels,B&Bs, inns and recreational centres to ensure your stay isa comortable one. While in Zlatibor take advantage o theopportunity to sample one o the region’s many local deli-cacies. Zlatibor’s restaurants, caes and inns oer kajmak (acreamy cheese curd), smoked ham, cheese and zlatiborskakomplet lepinja (a sandwich made with pork, roast lamb,scrambled eggs and kajmak). The town’s caes and night-clubs oer great entertainment. Check with one o the lo-cal tourism organisations or details.

We highly recommend a trip to Staro Selo (Old Village)in Sirogojno, which symbolises the traditional architectureand liestyle o this region. The most historically signicantparts o this village are under state protection, as they rep-resent the very best o traditional structures in southeast

T O „Z“Md Pć 2, 31315 ZT: +381 31 841 646

E-: [email protected]..

T I C ZT: +381 31 845 103E-: [email protected]

Serbia. This protected area is a museum complex comprising tybeautiully decorated buildings that evoke images o lie in thispart o Serbia during bygone centuries. The homes in this regionare not only specic to the Zlatibor region, but also Bosnia and avast area o Croatia.

Sirogojno’s homes were built on an incline and each eatures a

stone oundation once used as a semi-submerged cellar. The up-per living quarters o the homes are constructed o wood. Not asingle binding or nail was used to build these homes.

The museum complex oers a diverse mix o local souvenirs andhandmade sweaters eaturing motis o this region. These uniquegarments have put Sirogojno on the world map. The complex alsoeatures a herbal pharmacy and an inn, both constructed in thetraditional style. The charming 1764 St. Peter and Paul Church isperched atop a hill overlooking the complex.

Zlatibor is renowned or handmade crats. Knitted sweatersand handmade clothing rom the region are richly decorated andyou can nd a range o crats at Zlatibor’s vibrant markets.

ACTIVITIESDuring the summer season you can enjoy relaxing walks, hikes,

bicycle excursions and horse-riding along one o Zlatibor’s manytrails. You can also swim in one o the numerous resort swimmingpools and bathing spots. Zlatibor oers many various sports elds,acilities and gyms or athletes o all levels.

You can attend one o many diverse cultural and entertainmentevents that are organised daily during the summer season. Out-door stages eature concerts, plays, estivals and presentations.Hotels organise painting exhibitions, literary evenings and pub-lic discussions. Čajetina’s library, cinema and theatre also oer a



and Del icac ies

BELGRADE

25.

Zlatibor smoked ham is a delicacy o southwestern Serbia that has beenproduced in the Zlatibor region or

over a century. The process, whichis completely natural, has remainedunchanged over the past century.Zlatibor’s climate, air and the saltingprocess are key actors adding tothe quality o the ham. The mostpopular variety comes rom thevillage o Mačkat, where it was rstproduced. Though other regions haveattempted to make this unique ham,none have managed to match thesuperior quality o the Zlatibor variety.

For the past ew years the village o Mačkat has successully organisedthe Pršutijada (smoked ham estival)every January. Sample a piece o thisdelectable local delicacy and you will

not be disappointed!

ZLATIBOR SMOKED HAMrange o cultural events.

There is never a shortage o exciting events and excursions to experience inZlatibor and visitors can choose rom one o a dozen organised activities in thearea. They include the Stopića Cave, with its unique rimmed stone walls, andthe Gostilje waterall, one o the tallest in Serbia. You can also visit the beauti-ul Uvac and Dubrava monasteries, which are symbols o Serbia’s spirituality

and history, as well as the log cabin churches o Jablanica and Dobroselica.Stop by the art galleries o Borova glava, Trnava and Šljivovica to learn aboutZlatibor’s artistic inclinations. You can also see the birthplaces o two o thearea’s amous citizens: Dimitirije Tucović and Sava Jovanović Sirogojno. I youwant to experience the great outdoors, head to the Tornik and Čigota peaksor spectacular views.

Winter visitors to Zlatibor should be prepared or some serious un andoutdoor recreation. Whether you choose to ski, sledge or ride a snowmobile,you will be amazed by the area’s majestic snow-covered landscape. I you arelooking or the perect winter getaway, head to the Tornik ski centre, whichoers seven kilometres o ski runs or skiers o all prociency levels.

Visitors to Zlatibor come back time and again to enjoy its extraordinary na-ture, rich cultural heritage and great accommodation. It is no surprise that

Zlatibor is one o Serbia’s most coveted destinations.



26. NOVA VAROŠ, ZLATAR, PRIJEPOLJE, PRIBOJ

The Majestic MileševaT d Sp C „Z“– Nv VšKđđv 36, 31320 Nv VšT: +381 33 62 621E-: cz@vv.,z@v.

www.z..T O PjpjT v jdv 1,31300 PjpjT: +381 33 710 140E-: [email protected]..

T O Pj Mcpy12. j 108, 31330 PjT: +381 33 451 599E-: [email protected]..

T I C Pjk BjT: +381 33 448 500

NOVA VAROŠ – SIGHTSNova Varoš is located in the central part o southwestern Serbia’s

Zlatibor region. The municipality, which lies 280 kilometres romBelgrade, is accessible via motorway M21 towards the Adriatic Sea.The area is renowned or its majestic scenic landscapes, reshwatersprings, hydroelectric energy and lush orests.

Nova Varoš is well known or its large-scale agricultural output,cattle breeding and dairy production, while Zlatar cheese is a special-ity o the region. Nova Varoš oers plenty o potential to develop itsruit growing, beekeeping and orest ruit processing industries. Themunicipality is a key producer o buckwheat, an ingredient used invarious national dishes and a highly sought ater organic grain on theworld market.

The Holy Trinity Church and Mosque are among Nova Varoš’smain landmarks. Venture beyond the town and you will discover theDubnica Monastery in Božetići and the Štitkovo ethno village o theNemanjić period.

Zlatar Mountain is just north o Nova Varoš. Some 22 kilometreslong and 12 kilometres wide, its highest peak is Golo brdo at an alti-tude o 1627 metres. Zlatar is surrounded by the River Lim to the west,the River Uvac to the east, the River Bistrica to the north and the River

Mileševo to the south. The mountain and its surroundings are trulybreath-taking.I you are on Mount Zlatar, a visit to the log cabin church in Radijevići

is a must. Built by priest Vasilije Purić in 1808, the church oers ea-tures similar to those constructed by the Vlachs. The church, whichcontains ve exquisite and well-preserved icons by Andrija Raičević,

is under state protection as a monument o cultural sig-nicance.

Along with Zlatar, Murternica Mountain also domi-nates this region. You will nd the oldest log cabinchurch atop one o its ridges in Peti. Dedicated to theBirth o the Most Holy Mother o God, the church wasbuilt in 1832 with the help o Archbishop Mihailo.

ACTIVITIESThe Bukovik Cave and Ušačka Cave system are a

must-see or anyone interested in exploring ascinatingcaves. At 6.2 kilometres, this is the longest speleologicalsite in Serbia. Some o the caves in the system belongto the Uvac Nature Reserve and are only accessible viawater.

The beautiul Zlatarsko, Sjeničko, Radoinjsko andPotpećko lakes oer endless possibilities or camping,swimming, shing and boating. The hydroelectric pow-er o each o these lakes is harnessed via the Uvac, KokinBrod, Bistrica and Potpeć plants. One o Europe’s largest

dams is located at Kokin Brod just 11 kilometres north o Nova Varoš towards Zlatibor. The construction o thedam created the beautiul 30-km Zlatar Lake, whichcontains over 100 million cubic metres o water.



National Tourism

Organisation of

Serbia

Tourist info and Souvenir shop National TourismOrganisation of Serbia Čk Lj 8, BT: +381 11 6557 127@., www..

WORKING HOURS:MONDAY - FRIDAY: 09-20

SATURDAY: 09-17SUNDAY: 10-16



National Tourism

Organisation of

Serbia



The Danube

in Serbia w w w . y .

National Tourism Organisation of Serbia



Monastery

BELGRADE

26.

The Uvac wildlie reserve is home tothe majestic grifon vulture (Gypsulvus). This species is the last inthe vulture amily to have survivedin Serbia. Resembling an eagle, thegrifon vulture’s wingspan can reachup to three metres. The grifon vultureplays a unique role in the ecosystem,eeding on the carcasses o deadanimals, that is key to preventing thespread o inectious diseases.

THE GRIFFON VULTURE

PRIJEPOLJE – SIGHTSThe town o Prijepolje lies in the heart o the Lim Valley. Initially developed

at the conuence o the rivers Lim and Mileševka, its microclimate is a resulto its location 140 kilometres rom the sea and 160 kilometres rom the Pan-nonian Basin. The 1734-metre-high Jadovnik Mountain is the highest peak in

this rugged mountainous region, while its lowest point (440 m) lies at theconuence o the Mileševka and Lim.

According to archaeological ndings, numerous civilisations have lettheir mark here, though the modern town’s roots are tied to the MileševaMonastery, ounded in 1234 by King Vladislav. The monastery is one o themost renowned in Serbia or its extraordinary rescoes, including the en-chanting White Angel resco. For a number o years the monastery was alsothe gravesite o St. Sava, Serbia’s rst Archbishop. Bosnian Ban Tvrtko wascrowned here in 1377, while in the 15th century the monastery served as theresidence o Mileševo Metropolitanate. One o Serbia’s rst printing shopsopened here in the 16th century. This exquisite monastery is a must-see!

Apart rom Mileševa, the Kumanica, Mili and Davidovića monasteries arealso worth visiting and were restored ten years ago.

ACTIVITIESFor specic details o places to see and things to do in the area, including

the Limski darovi (Lim gits) and Limska regata (Lim regatta) events, checkwith one o the local tourism organisations.

PRIBOJ – SIGHTSPriboj is located on the banks o the River Lim and is divided into old and

new sections. The area is known or its turbulent past and succession o dierent rulers, including Romans, Turks and Austro-Hungarians. In theMiddle Ages the old caravan road here served as the shortest route betweenConstantinople (Istanbul) and Dubrovnik. The native museum in Priboj ea-tures a number o exhibits about daily lie in the region.

ACTIVITIESPriboj’s vast orests oer ample opportunities or hunting and the Javorje

hunting reserve is home to a protected species o mountain bears. The townorganises a traditional wol hunt every year in mid-October.

At an altitude o 550 metres, the Pribojska Banja spa is perched on a highplateau and boasts thermal and mineral resources. Come and enjoy its sce-nic views!

– A visit to the medieval town o Jerina on the River Lim– A visit to the stunning Mileševa Monastery – White-water rating on the Lim and Uvac

WE RECOMMEND:



27. IVANJICA, GOLIJA, ARILJE

Raspberr y FieldsIVANJICA – SIGHTS

Ivanjica is located in southwestern Serbia some 224 kilome-tres rom Belgrade. Bordering the municipalities o Sjenica,Nova Varoš, Raška, Novi Pazar, Kraljevo, Lučani and Arilje, Ivan-

jica lies on the banks o the River Moravica, which originates at

an altitude o 468 metres, deep inside the Golija Mountain.Ivanjica is an air spa and i you happen to visit the town andsurrounding area you will discover numerous other spas andrestorative centres. Stroll through Ivanjica and you will comeacross the beautiul 1836 St. Emperor Constantine and Em-press Jelena Church and the charming stone bridge across theMoravica. Built in 1904, it is the largest single-arch bridge in theBalkans. Ivanjica’s power station was built in 1911 and created abeautiul waterall on the Moravica that is now a key symbol o the city. Though the station still unctions, today it acts mostlyas an exhibit o the technology available at the time.

ACTIVITIESExplore beyond Ivanjica and you will discover the Palibrčkigravesite. According to legend, it contains the tomb o the

Jugović brothers on the site where the Lazarica Church was built.You will nd the incredible Hadži-Prodanova C a v e

just 10 kilometres rom Ivanjica. The cavehas two oors, two side canals and sev-eral large hallways. The entrancewaymeasures three metres in length. Theoverall size o the cave remains un-known, with just 400 metreso it having been explored.Come see this naturalphenomenon or your-sel.

According to

those whohave ex-

perienced it, you can see hal o Serbia rom the top o GolijaMountain.

In the winter months the mountain sparkles with a heavyblanket o snow. The mountain abounds with springs, cleanmountain water, over 100 types o medicinal herbs, huntinggame and rivers and brooks brimming with sh.

At an altitude o 1500m, Tičar Lake is perched high atopDajić Hill and is a avourite spot or the region’s shermen. Thenearby lake on Okruglica was created in 1974 ollowing an in-tense earthquake in neighbouring Romania. Kašinovo Lake,also in the vicinity, is covered with peat vegetation. The wa-teralls along the River Izubri are stunningly beautiul, whilehunting and shing are popular activities among the locals inthis region. Golija’s traditional Wol Hunt is the most renownedevent o its kind anywhere in Serbia.

Apart rom Golija, Javor Mountain represents the other major highlight o this scenic region. Known or its deciduous or-ests and plentiul springs, Javor’s highest peak – Vasilije Peak– reaches 1,520m. You will nd a monument to Major Ilić, heroo the Javor War, in the oothills o the mountain.

Pridvorica Monastery in the village o the same name is just28 kilometres southeast o Ivanjica. The monastery, represen-tative o the Raška architectural school, is reerred to

in the medieval Charter o Ne-

WE RECOMMEND:– A good time at the estival o traditional Serbian song in

Prilike– A visit to the raspberry felds o Arilje– A visit to the impressive Hadži-Prodanova Cave



Galore

BELGRADE

27.

T O Ivjc McpyZ Đđć 47, 32250 IvjcT: +381 32 665 085, 650 290E-: [email protected].

On September 21st 2001 UNESCO declared Golija Moun-tain a Biosphere Area. The government o Serbia hasdesignated 53,804 hectares in the area as a Nature Parkand Wildlie Reserve. Golija Mountain is now one o 211wildlie reserves worldwide and the only one in Serbia.

GOLIJA MOUNTAIN: A UNESCO BIOSPHERE AREA

manja. The 1606 Kovilje Monastery, located in the village o Smilje-vac, sits atop a cli overlooking the River Moravica. The monasterywas home to a seminary school or uture priests and has unctionedas a regular parish church since 1813.

ARILJE – SIGHTSThe small town o Arilje, 195 kilometres rom Belgrade, Was pro-claimed the centre o the Moravička Episcopacy by Sava Nemanjić

in 1219. The symbol o the town is the St. Ahilije Church, which wasbuilt by Dragutin Nemanjić between 1283 and 1296. Today Arilje isbest known or its plentiul elds o raspberries. The town aboundswith sparkling springs that supply drinking water or approximately300,000 people in ve municipalities.

ACTIVITIESThe nearby village o Visoka eatures a therapeutic mineral spa.

The water, which has an average temperature o 28 degrees Celsius,is known or its healing powers. The spa draws individuals sueringrom bone disease, heart disease and vision problems.

Explore this area urther and you will discover a beautiul watercave in a canyon near the River Panjica between the villages o Breko-vo and Dobrača.



28. NOVI PAZAR, SJENICA

Homeland ofNOVI PAZAR – SIGHTS

Novi Pazar is located 280 kilometres rom Belgrade on theroad to Kraljevo and Raška. Located at the conuence o the

Jošanica and Raška rivers, the city was built in the 15th centurynear Ras, the capital o the rst Serbian state, and Stari Pazar

(Trgovište).

Serbia’s most prominent medieval clergymen and rulers wereborn in this region. The inuence o both Christian and Islamicculture is evident in the plethora o monuments dedicated toeach religion. Izabeg Isaković laid the oundations o Novi Pa-zar’s eastern style architecture. The city’s original name, JeniBazar, is o Turkish origin. The Altun-alem Mosque is easily thecity’s most spectacular site. This 16th-century structure eaturesprecious stones, alternating layers o stone and brick, and wasinitially built as a one-room building with a porch and stoneminaret.

Stroll down to Novi Pazar’s town park and you will discoverthe remains o a 17th century Turkish ortress. This structure

eatures two towers, barracks and a small mosque, which wereadded ater the completion o the structure.

Novi Pazar’s 15th-century Turkish bathis the oldest in Serbia. This incrediblestructure eatures eleven domes o varying sizes, alternating brick andstone walls and glass windows.There are male and emale areas,as well as dressing, relaxation andmassage rooms. The bath, whichhas been in use or over 400 years,is located in Novopazarska Banjaspa.

Due to its geographical positionand natural beauty, the area sur-rounding Novi Pazar has alwaysbeen densely populated. TodayNovi Pazar’s economy is mainlyocused on trade. I you are look-ing or the perect pair o jeans orshoes, Novi Pazar will not disap-point.

Though much mystery remains about the historyo Stari Ras, the town has been a UNSESCO worldheritage site since 1979. The surrounding area

ofers plenty o beautiul monasteries, includingGradac, Studenica, Petrova crkva, ĐurđeviStupovi, Crna Reka, Končul and Sopoćani.

STARI RAS

– A visit to the Sopoćani Monastery – A taste o Sjenica cheese and Pešter lamb– A stroll through Novi Pazar’s old commercial heart

WE RECOMMEND:

ACTIVITIESNovi Pazar also prides itsel on its rich culture. The Novi Pa-

zar School o traditional painting techniques and the annualchorus estival are two unique examples o what the city hasto oer.

Ras, the capital o the rst medieval Serbian state duringthe Nemanjić Dynasty, is just eight kilometres west o NoviPazar near Gradina and Trgovište.

Explore beyond Raška and you will discover the remainso an incredible ortress that some believe was the castle o Stean Nemanja. The irregularly shaped structure was un-covered during an archaeological dig that began some 30years ago. The excavation is still in progress andarchaeologists have uncovered a monas-tery and church dedicated to St.

Archangels be-low the ortress.Some believe theGospel o Vuk

was writtenhere. There

are res-c o e s



here dating back to the 8th century, as well as scriptures romthe 16th and 17th centuries. The archaeological complex includesa cemetery and a collection o churches and other structures inPazarište. King Radoslav established the rst Serbian mint in Ras.

The oldest church in Serbia, Rotonda, can be ound just 16 kilo-metres southwest o Novi Pazar. Dedicated to St. Peter and Paul,

Rotonda was a medieval Episcopal centre and gathering place orSerbian rulers. Its circular base, which eatures our apses, a tow-er and a gallery, were built during the 8th and 9th centuries. Itscore represents an early Christian structure and likely dates backto the 6th century. Several o the church’s 13th-century rescoeshave been preserved. Below the church is a protohistorical tumu-lus, which once contained Greek vases, gold jewellery, amber andother 5th and 6th century pagan treasures.

A spectacular example o medieval architecture and rescopainting, the Sopoćani Monastery is one o Serbia’s cultural trea-

sures. It represents the besto medieval architectureand resco art. The monas-tery, located on the River

Raška 15 kilometres westo Novi Pazar, is consideredone o Serbia’s most beau-tiul and sacred monaster-ies.

King Uroš I Nemanjić(1243–1276) built Sopoćani.He spent the last year o hislie at the monastery andwished to be buried hereater having entered a mo-nastic order and changedhis name to Simeon. O thegreater monastery com-

plex, only the Church o theHoly Trinity, with its one naval basilica and Raška-style cupola,has been preserved.

Painted in the second hal o the 13th century, Sopoćani’s res-coes are truly impressive. Their astonishing compositions, dis-playing harmony and sophisticated beauty, have put Sopoćani onthe world map. The Ascension o the Most Holy Mother o God,which appears on the west wall o the church, was deemed themost beautiul resco o the Middle Ages at an exhibition in Parisin 1961.

Stean Nemanja built the 1170 Đurđevi Stupovi Monasteryin honour o St. George, who saved him rom the dungeon. It isnamed ater its high bell-towers, which are unique to Serbian me-

dieval architecture. The architecture, which bears a Roman inu-ence, is marked by the gradual composition o masses around thecentral part o the tower. The ragments o original rescos hereare well preserved.

the Clergy

BELGRADE

28.

T O Nv Pz28. v 27, 36300 Nv PzT: +381 20 338 030E-: [email protected].

T O SjcT Svz Mkvć ,

36310 SjcT: +381 20 744 843E-: @zjc.cwww.zjc.cwww.p..

SJENICA – SIGHTSSjenica, a beautiul, traditional Serbian town, is situat-

ed on the Pešter plateau, which is known or cattle breed-ing and excellent cheese. The plateau boasts a number o underground rivers, including the 15-km River Borovštica,which has an incredible 140 abysses. Just 14 kilometresnorth o Sjenica sits one o Serbia’s rare medieval bridges.The bridge crosses the Uvac and is located near the villageo Ursule.

Venture beyond Sjenica and discover the small town

o Tutin. With temperatures that can reach minus 37 de-grees Celsius in winter, the town and its surroundings areknown or enduring some o the coldest temperatures inSerbia. Though the air is cold, the people are warm andhospitable. Come and see or yoursel!



29. RAŠKA, KOPAONIK

A Land thatRAŠKA – SIGHTS

Established by Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević in 1845, Raškais one o Serbia’s newest towns. It lies 82 kilometres south o Kraljevo and 252 kilometres rom Belgrade at the conuence o the Raška and Ibar rivers and was named ater the river and re-

gion it inhabits. Raška is considered the most urban town o itsperiod. Apart rom its short urban history, archaeological nd-ings suggest the existence o a settlement on the same site longbeore the establishment o the present-day town. There are anumber o archaeological sites near Raška, including Zajčakaand the village o Rvati, which have not been ully explored.

Today Raška is a modern town. There are an amazing 550metres o water per square kilometre in the vicinity o Raška.The River Ibar and its tributaries, the rivers Brenevica, Jošanica,Rudnička and Radošička, create a dense hydrographic network.The town is also blessed with a wealth o ore resources and min-eral water springs. The Marina mineral springs, the Barska Wa-terall, Semeteško Lake, as well as Kopaonik – the amous wintermountain resort – are all located in the vicinity o Raška.

ACTIVITIESExplore beyond Raška and you will discover monasteries in the

vicinity that date back to the early Middle Ages. The 13th-centuryGradac Monastery is especially intriguing. The monastery’s HolyMother o God Church was built as the burial site or Queen andgreat patroness Jelena Anžujska (Hélène d’Anjou), wie o KingUroš I. The Končul Monastery is located three kilometres romRaška on the shores o the Ibar. Some believe Nemanja, one o the prominent Serbs o his time, personally ounded the monas-tery. The St. Nicholas Church adjacent to the monastery remainsstanding to this day.

The Stara Pavlica Monastery is located in the village o Pavlica,six kilometres north o Raška. Built in the late 12th century beore

the time o the Nemanjić Dynasty, all that remains o the mon-astery is a partially preserved church in honour o St. Peter andPaul, the monastery’s patrons.

There are a number o thermal springs originat-ing deep in the valleys o Kopaonik. The 78.5Cwater at Jošanička Banja spa ofers a range o

medical benets, as well as being ideal or bath-ing and drinking. Inhale its soothing vapours andrelax. But be careul: i you were to drop an egg inthis water it would be hard boiled in less than veminutes!

HOT SPRINGS

Built by the wealthy Musić brothers in the late 14th cen-tury, the Nova Pavlica Monastery neighbours Stara PavlicaMonastery. Nova Pavlica’s church is dedicated to the Initia-tion o the Most Holy Mother o God. The mother o the Musićbrothers and Dragana, Tsar Lazar’s sister, both wore the mo-nastic habit in this monastery. Dragana, who was known asTeodosija, died here as a nun.

KOPAONIK – SIGHTSLocated in the centre o the Balkan Peninsula, the Kopaon-

ik mountain range is the most expansive in Serbia. Kopaonik’sname originates rom the medieval mine diggers (kopati – todig) who extracted iron and silver rom the mountain. The Ve-



Heals

BELGRADE

29.

T d Sp ORškNj 1, 36350 RškT: +381 36 738 670E-: c@k-z.,[email protected].

– A summer hike along one o Kopaonik’s many trails

– A winter ski trip to Kopaonik – A visit to Raška’s annual spiritual ceremonies

WE RECOMMEND:netians called Kopaonik Montagna del Argento.O its 70 kilometre North-to-South span, only the 1600m Suvo Rudište

Plateau is under state protection. Peaks under protection include the Kara-man and Gobelja (1934m), Kukavica (1726m), and the highest, Pančićev(2017m), which oers spectacular views o large portions o Serbia. The peakwas named ater Josi Pančić (1814–1888), a amous Serbian biologist whowas a requent visitor to Kopaonik and wished to be buried here. His wish

was ullled in 1951, when his remains were buried at the highest point on themountain.

The Kopaonik National Park includes breath-taking orested hills and thebeautiul valleys o the Rasina and Brzećka rivers. Banjski Kopaonik is locat-ed north o Suvo Rudište, with Vučak, its highest peak (1718 m), overlooking

Jošanička Banja spa.

Kopaonik eatures exceptional ora and auna. Its orests change in com-position as the elevation rises. Oak is ollowed by beech, which then givesway to pine. The Suvati (cattle pastures) are located above the tree line. Theyoer plentiul land or grassing and eature a network o springs that sendwater rapidly down the mountainside. Kopaonik is home to wolves, oxes,rabbits, eagles and the Colias balcanica, a rare species o buttery.

ACTIVITIESKopaonik is a avourite spot or winter sports enthusiasts. While it receives

plenty o snow, it also boasts an average 200 sunny days per year. Kopaonik’smain resort centre is the Konaci Complex (konaci – residences). There aretwo main roads leading to the complex: one rom Jošanička Banja spa andthe other rom Brus, via Brzeće. The resort has 22 ski lits or 23 trails. Theyinclude our or children, 12 or beginners, ve or intermediate and two oradvanced skiers. Overall there are 44 kilometres o trails, with an additional20 kilometres designed or cross-country skiing. Kopaonik also oers plentyo activities or summer visitors to enjoy, including hiking, tennis, ootballand basketball.



30. KRALJEVO

Valley beloved by

– Admiring the magnifcent rescoes o the Žiča Monastery – Experiencing the sights and scents o lilacs in the River Ibar

Valley – Participating in the Merry Descent rating estivities in

Kraljevo

WE RECOMMEND:

SIGHTSLocated close to the conuence o the rivers Ibar and West-

ern (Zapadna) Morava, Kraljevo is 174 kilometres rom Belgradevia Highway E-75. Kraljevo is Serbia’s largest municipality, whilethe city o Kraljevo is the administrative, cultural and economiccentre o the Raška region o central Serbia. Previously known asKaranovac, the city was renamed Kraljevo in 1882 to coincide withthe coronation o Milan Obrenović at Žiča Monastery as modernSerbia’s rst king ollowing the end o Turkish rule. During WWIIthe city suered a great tragedy when 5,750 local citizens wereshot in an act o retribution. Walk around Kraljevo and you willnd a memorial park in their honour.

Prince Miloš Obrenović drew the rst city plan or present-day

Kraljevo by nger in a sand-lled pan. Laza Zuban used this crudesketch in 1832 in his endeavour to convert this settlement into amodern city. The city eatures three main boulevards. A networko perpendicular streets starts at the city square and ans out inour directions. As a result o this structured city grid, Kraljevo isconsidered a masterpiece o Serbian urbanism.

Contemporary Kraljevo is not only a prominent cultural, edu-cational and economic centre, it also draws plenty o visitors.Apart rom several cultural and arts societies, the city’s museum,theatre, library, archives and other prominent institutions o-er a host o interesting displays and inormation about the city.Kraljevo also organises several art colonies and estive events,including The Days o Lilacs and the Ibar Merry Descent estivals.

Any trip to Kraljevo would not be complete without a visit tothe Church o the Ascension o the Most Holy Mother o God.This temple, built by Prince Miloš Obrenović is the most sacredpreserved structure in the city.

Stroll through the city and discover Master Vasa’s residence.Built in the residence style o the Miloš’s period, it eatures ele-

ments o Balkan architecture rom the rst hal o the 19thcentury. Today it is home to the Vladika (Bishop) NikolajVelimirović Spiritual Centre.

Explore beyond Kraljevo and tour the exquisite Žiča Mon-astery near the ertile plains o the village o Kruševica. Lo-cated just six kilometres rom Kraljevo, this brick stone and

stalagmite monastery is painted a vivid red. I Kraljevo wasthe city o kings, then Žiča was their temple. The monasteryis one o the greatest sanctuaries o the Serbian people. Ste-an Prvovenčani (Stean, the First Crowned), 1195–1223, therst king o the Serbian state who was crowned here in 1217,ounded the monastery. According to historical records, theconstruction o Žiča began when St. Sava returned romGreece’s Hilandar in 1206. His goal was to complete themonastery beore the crowning o its patron in 1217.

The Žiča Monastery complex was built as the seat o theSerbian Archdiocese and as a place o ordination or lead-ing clergymen. The Church o the Ascension o the Lord andthe small church dedicated to St. Peter and Paul are theonly original structures remaining in the complex, with the

other standing structures built later. Žiča’s architecture typi-es the Raška School. It eatures a single nave church witha semi-circular altar apse on the east side, a dome on the



west side and an orthogonal reader on the south and north sideso the building.

According to experts, the mural inside Žiča was developedin three phases over an entire century (1219–1316). It consists o three distinct parts, diering in style and origin. The monasteryincludes a mesmerising collection o rescoes eaturing por-traits o Stean Prvovenčani and his son Radoslav, who was also

crowned here.

Maglič is one o the most well preserved ortied medievaltowns in Serbia. Unortunately, little is known about the originso this hilltop ortress 30 kilometres southwest o Kraljevo.

I you are traveling to the Kraljevo–Raška region during May,you will be rewarded with a stunning view o the River Ibar Val-ley’s lilacs in ull bloom. King Uroš I rst planted the lilacs here towelcome his betrothed, Hélène d’Anjou, and to remind her o hernative Provence.

ACTIVITIESMataruška Banja spa is located just eight kilometres rom

Kraljevo on the banks o the River Ibar. The 15-hectare park issituated in the scenic mountains o Stolovi and Čemerno. Witha temperature o 42-51°C, the hot springs are quite sulphuric andare used to treat a range o ailments. Bogutovačka Banja spa,another spa close to Kraljevo, is a peaceul place surrounded bywoods and the River Lopatnica. The spa, known or its calmingeects, is an ideal holiday destination.

Just 20 kilometres or Kraljevo, Goč Mountain eatures a rangeo sports acilities. Though a popular training site or athletes,the mountain also attracts children or its recreational acilities.

the Kings

BELGRADE

30.

Once the political, cultural and spiritual centre o medieval Serbia, the Studenica Monastery is lo-cated between Kraljevo and Novi Pazar, close tothe town o Ušće. Founded by Stean Nemanja in1190, the monastery is dedicated to the Ascensiono the Most Holy Mother o God. The monasterycomplex comprises three churches: the Mothero God Church, the St. Joachim and Anna Church,and the St. Nicholas Church. Studenica is an in-credible cultural treasure that appeals to spiritualpilgrims, historians and art lovers alike. The mon-astery has been under UNESCO protection as a

world heritage site since 1986.

STUDENICA MONASTERY

T O KjvT Spkh k 25, 36000 KjvT: +381 36 316 000, 311 192E-: jk@.

www.jk..T I C KjvT: +381 36 316 000E-: k@.



Vrnjačka Banja.One o these stunning structures is the palace o King Re-

gent Belimarković (1886). Built in the style o a Northern Ital-ian countryside villa, the palace is now a cultural centre andgallery known as the Palace o Culture. The homes on ČajkinoHill are especially beautiul. Priest Jemije Popović built thesmall church at the very top o the hill in 1856. A great admirer

o Vrnjačka Banja’s beauty, he opened the rst spring here inthe very same year.

ACTIVITIESVrnjačka Banja’s symbol is a sparrow sporting Serbian olk

shoes (opanci) and a Serbian national hat (šajkača). Strollthrough the city and discover a statue o the sparrow in thevery centre o Vrnjačka Banja. I you nd it, it is mandatory totake a photo o yoursel next to it. Everyone else does!

Vrnjačka Banja eatures seven beautiul mineral watersprings. Four are used or therapeutic purposes and two orbottled mineral water. Topla voda (warm water) is the oldestand most amous mineral water spring. According to archae-ological nds, it was used in the Roman period between the

1st and 4th centuries. The 36.5°C water o this spring is equiva-lent to the temperature o the human body. Jezero is anotherwarm water spring. I you are looking or a rereshing dip,head to Snežnik (17.5°C) and Slatina (14°C), Vrnjačka Banja’scold water springs. Individuals come to Vrnjačka Banja seek-ing relie rom diabetes, bile illnesses and a range o gastroin-testinal illnesses.

31. VRNJAČKA BANJA

The Queen ofSIGHTS

Vrnjačka Banja is Serbia’s best-known spa. Located 195 kilo-metres rom Belgrade, the spa is accessible via highways E-761 orE-75 (to Pojate). Those heading to Vrnjačka Banja in July and Au-gust and eeling adventurous should take the Romantika steam

train and hop o at the oot o Mount Goč.Though no one knows exactly when Vrnjačka Banja was dis-

covered, historical records indicate that the mineral waters herewere utilised as ar back as antiquity, with sections o ancientbathing pools and an old Roman ountainhead (Fons Romanus)uncovered here back in 1924. That same year saw archaeologistsdiscover 500 Roman coins in the area, some dating back to thetime beore Christ, but most rom the 2nd to the 6th centuries.

Vrnjačka Banja’s modern name comes rom the village o Vrn- jci, where the mineral springs were discovered. According to leg-end, the medicinal uses o Vrnjačka’s waters were known duringthe Ottoman period and some believe wounded Turkish cavalry-men came to Vrnjačka Banja or treatment, orcing locals to eed

and attend to them during their recovery. In an attempt to avoidserving the Beys (Turkish leaders), some locals apparently triedto bury the springs.

Vrnjačka Banja ourished during the time o Prince Mihailo.Since its rst ofcial season opening in 1867, Vrnjačka Banja be-came an elite summer holiday spot. The resort eatures a num-ber o beautiul 19th and 20th century villas around the springand perched atop surrounding hills. Today they are the pride o

– Participating in Vrnjačka Banja’s Carnival estivities in July – A dip in the warm Topla Voda spring– Photographing yoursel with the sparrow sculpture in the centre o Vrnjačka Banja

WE RECOMMEND:



Mineral Springs

BELGRADE

31.

T O Vjčk BjVjčk 6/2,36210 Vjčk BjT/Fx: +381 36 611 106, 611 107E-: c_v@p.

www.vjckj.c.

T I C PdT: +381 36 621 900, 611 105

I not or the padlocks that cover its railings, youmight not even notice the Bridge o Love in the cen-

tre o Vrnjačka Banja. Though it is one o 15 bridgesin the town, this bridge with a sad story has becomethe symbol o the city. Locals tell the story o Reljaand Nada, two young lovers who would meet hereevery night beore WWI. Once the war broke out,Relja, an ocer in the Royal Army, went of to warand never came back. He moved to Greece, marriedand orgot all about Nada. Heartbroken, Nada wait-ed or him on the Bridge o Love until her dying day.To avoid reliving Nada’s bitter love story, local lovestruck girls started coming to the bridge every nightto secretly “lock up” their boyriends’ hearts with

padlocks. They did this with the hope o holding onto their love orever.

THE BRIDGE OF LOVE

Apart rom its healing waters, Vrnjačka Banja oers a va-riety o cultural events and entertainment. The city is hometo the Film Screenplay Festival, which previews the year’sdomestic productions and is held every August. The estiveCarnival takes place every July and eatures processions

around the town, contests, sporting activities, mask showsand other entertainment. The event draws an estimated200,000 revelers each year. Vrnjačka Cultural Ceremoniesare held here every season. I you are the romantic type,head to Vrnjačka Banja on Valentine’s Day or the LongestKiss contest, which is held on the Bridge o Love.



32. TRSTENIK, ALEKSANDROVAC

Land of W ineTRSTENIK – SIGHTSLocated in central Serbia some 205 kilometres rom Bel-

grade, Trstenik is accessible via the Pojate–Kraljevo motorway.The town lies at the intersection o the Morava roads that con-nect this region to Kruševac, Kraljevo, Vrnjačka Banja, Župa andLevča. Trstenik is also accessible via the Stalać–Kraljevo railroadthrough the Western Morava Valley. You can also y into thetown’s small airport.

Trstenik’s strength lies in its agricultural viability and, whilenot culturally notable, it lies in the beautiul, rich and bountiullands by the Western Morava Valley. The Morava and the ertileland surrounding it, coupled with ideal climatic and ecologicalconditions, have combined to create the characteristics o thisregion’s rapid development. Beore WWII Trstenik was reputedas a city o cratsmen, tradesmen and coeehouse keepers.However, ollowing the war it experienced a ash period o eco-nomic development that coincided with the country’s overallindustrialisation.

The construction o the Holy Trinity Church lasted rom 1898to 1900. The church, located in the centre o Trstenik, was therst in Serbia built in the Neo-Moravian style. It bears noticeableresemblance to the church o King Milutin in Hilandar. Trstenik’sold town centre is one o the most well-preserved in Serbia.

The House o Katić, the oldest preserved structure rom themid-19th century, is considered one o the most beautiul hous-es o Moravian Ser- bia. The house eatures

T O Tk McpyKj Mc , 37240 TkT: +381 37 715 263E-: 03@p.

T O Akdvc Mcpy Jš Pvć 42, k 11, 37230 AkdvcT: +381 37 3554 404E-: [email protected]...

– A visit to the expansive poljane (felds)– A visit to the House o Katić in Trstenik – A taste o grilled pork or lamb in the village o Veluće

WE RECOMMEND:

a national ethno restaurant on the ground oor. The TrstenikMuseum is renowned or its permanent ethnographic exhibit.The legacy o native artists in Trstenik is valuable or today’slocal artists, who will orever bear witness to the easibility o

successul collaborations between the economy and culture.Venture beyond Trstenik and discover two medieval mon-asteries built by two princesses and dedicated to the MostHoly Mother o God. The 19th-century Ljubostinja Monasteryis renowned or its lie-sized rescoes o patrons Tsar Lazar,Princess Milica and their sons Stean and Vuk. Ljubostinja wasthe cultural centre o the region or centuries and the amousOde to Tsar Lazar was composed here. Jemija, the rst Serbi-an poet, wove it into silk. The patron tombs o Princess Milicaand Jemija are located inside the church. Jemija’s Days is apoetry event that takes place at the monastery each year inthe second hal o June.

The Veluće Monastery is the oldest preserved example o aMoravian School monastery. Once known as Srebrenica a-ter the river o the same name, the region is rich in silver ore

deposits (srebro – silver). Even today you may come acrossprospectors in search o gold and silver along the banks o theSrebrenica.



Goddesses

BELGRADE

32.

Every year Župa crowns a Wine Goddess as part

o its grape harvest estivities. The idea or thecontest is derived rom the Latin expression:where there is Bacchus, the god o wine, sothere is Venus, the goddess o Love.

ACTIVITIESFor those trekking around Trstenik, a visit

to the vibrant villages o the area is a must! Thevillage o Brezovica,

perched along the ridg-es o Mount Goč, oersan array o recreationalactivities, while the areaalso recently becamepopular or hunting.

The village o Veluće isrenowned or its excellentroast pork and lamb. The vil-lage eatures a pristine min-eral water spring yielding crys-tal clear water that meets globalquality standards. Those wishing tosee Trstenik by air should head to one

o the area’s aero clubs. Visit one o thelocal tourism organisations or more inor-mation.

ALEKSANDROVAC – SIGHTSThe Municipality o Aleksandrovac is also located in central

Serbia. Its western part lies on the edges o the Dinaric mountainrange, which includes mounts Goč, Željin and Kopaonik. Grapesand wine are at the centre o lie in this small town. Located inthe wine region o Aleksandrovačka Župa, the area includes over22 vineyard settlements that are largely devoid o human inhab-itants known as poljane, or elds. These settlements are mostlyclustered around streams or hilltops. The poljana in Pribojevac

once belonged to the vineyards o Tsar Lazar.

The tsar would drink wine rom Župa beore embarking onhunting trips. Though there are no historical documents toprove it, some believe Tsar Lazar was born near the poljana (eld)in Pribojevac. Some o Župa’s poljane, including Lukarevina, nowenjoy state protection as unique ethnological entities.

ACTIVITIESŽupa has been traditionally celebrating the harvesting o

grapes as a national holiday or centuries and the Župa grapeharvesting estivities still take place annually rom late Septem-ber to early October. During this time a section o the town cen-

tre’s pedestrian zone is transormed into Wine Street and thecentral ountain, with its grape sculpture as the symbol o thebirth and longevity o Župa, spouts ree wine to visitors duringthe estivities.

VENUS



33. BRUS, KOPAONIK

The HeartBRUS – SIGHTS

The picturesque town o Brus, the seat o the municipalityo the same name, is nestled in a mountain clearing along theRiver Graševača. The town is approximately 450 metres abovesea level, 346 kilometres rom Belgrade and is accessible via

Kruševac.Located in central Serbia, Brus Municipality borders themunicipalities o Aleksandrovac, Raška, Blace, Kuršumlija,Leposavić and Kruševac. Part o the greater Rasina District,seated in Kruševac, Brus has a good network o regional and lo-cal roads and enjoys excellent connections with neighbouringmunicipalities and beyond.

Brus was the seat o the Koznik District rom the late 19thcentury to 1953. It was here that Serbian Regent AleksandarKarađorđević, Bulgaria’s King Ferdinand and Montenegro’s Ser-dar (General) JankoVukotić ormed the Balkan Alliance againstthe Ottoman Turks.

ACTIVITIESBrus is an air spa rich in warm and cold springs. Whether you

are interested in hunting or just looking or a relaxing holiday,Brus is the ideal getaway.

Most o the Brus locals make their living rom agriculture,agricultural production and cattle breeding. Pastures comprise

just over hal o the total 60,000ha o the municipality’s land.A ew agricultural households also grow raspberries, blackber-ries, cranberries, plums, apples and grapes.

Explore Brus and discover the ruins o the 3rd-centuryMetođe Shrine and the 15th-century Lepenica Monastery.

Just 25 kilometres rom Brus is the village o Kriva Reka onthe eastern ridges o mount Kopaonik, home to the beautiulSt. Peter and Paul Church, dating back to the early 17th century.

You will nd the ruins o Grabovnica – Gradište, a ascinat-

ing medieval city, in the hills o Gobelja. The ruined city, which isclose to Brus, cuts across two hills connected by a natural beamand wall. The site oers spectacular views o Rasina and is a a-

T O B McpyKj P I , 37220 BT: +381 37 825 185E-: @p.k.www.zp.c.



of Rasina

BELGRADE

33.

– A taste o the delicious cranberries o Brus– A visit to the ruins o the Metođe Shrine– A beautiul handicrat item ashioned by the women o

the villages o the Kopaonik oothills

WE RECOMMEND:

Nettle cutlets are a culinary speciality o the villageso Kopaonik utilising this herbaceous perennial Euro-pean owering plant. To prepare this delectable dishyoursel, boil 300 grams o nettles, chop into smallpieces and add a thinly chopped leek, two to threecloves o garlic, two eggs, a little boiled rice, twospoons o wheat our, salt, pepper and one bunch o thinly chopped parsley. Mix all the ingredients togeth-er, shape into cutlets and ry in oil. Delicious!

NETTLE CUTLETS

vourite tourist destination.The ruins o Zlatari – Gradište are also worth visiting. The city is

located on a hill at the intersection o the Gradiško and Suvajskocreeks. Judging by its remains, this medieval city was ellipticallyshaped and built o broken rock and mortar.

KOPAONIK – SIGHTSThe eastern side o Mt. Kopaonik (2017m), including its high-est peak, Pančićev Vrh, represents the heart o Brus municipality.Though a sizeable mountain, it is easily accessible via roads onceused to mine ore in its surrounding valleys.

Kopaonik has a rich mining heritage. Raška King Stean Uroš Ibrought hired hands, known as Sasi, here to extract ore. Miningsettlements had their own coin urnaces and mints. Mining in Kop-aonik ourished in the 14th and 15th centuries, during the periodo despotism, and the area developed a healthy trade relationshipwith the then Republic o Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik caravans travel-ling to Soa and Constantinople used ancient Roman roads tocross Kopaonik and Brus. Remains rom the Roman and medievalperiod are still evident here today.

As the name Kulina (kula – tower) suggests, this was the siteo an ancient ortress that is no longer visible. Historians believethese ortresses were used to protect Kopaonik’s mines during theRoman period and again during the Middle Ages.

ACTIVITIESLocated between Brus and Pančićev Vrh, the agricultural village

o Brzeće is a well-established tourism spot. Along with severalother villages in the oothills o Kopaonik, Brzeće oers excellenthospitality and splendid cuisine. You can sample the delectablespecialities o the region at one o many establishments acrossKopaonik.

Visit during late August to experience the traditional Golden

Hands o Brus estivities, which see the village women compete orthe Golden Hands title. The event takes place o the Main Streetin Brus.



34. KRUŠEVAC

The Exquisite BeautySIGHTS

Kruševac is located 194 kilometres rom Belgrade and isaccessible via the Belgrade–Niš Highway, just 23 kilometresrom the Pojate exit. The municipality borders Aleksinac andMerošina to the east, Blace, Prokuplje, Brus and Aleksandro-

vac to the south, Trstenik to the west and Varvarin, Ćićevacand Ražanj to the north.Kruševac, today the seat o the Rasina District, has a long

and rich history. Its central location has made it a popularBalkan stopover since the Middle Ages. According to legend,the town’s name originates either rom kruška (pear) or theenormous Moravian boulder, krušac, used in the constructiono the city ’s ortress. The Turks called it Aladža Hisar (colourultown).

Kruševac is well known or its Archaeological Park, whichcomprises Tsar Lazar’s medieval city walls, the Lazarica Churchand the National Museum. Tsar Lazar built the town in 1371 asa capital city and military ortress.

The building o the beautiul Lazarica Church signalled thebeginning o the Moravian School o Masonry. Its vibrant a-

çade eatures alternating layers o stone and brick, bioras(dual-arched windows), relie decorations, rosettes and a red-and-white checked pattern. Unortunately, the interior wallso Lazarica are completely bare, with its rescoes havinglong since disappeared. The church is considered amasterpiece o Serbian ecclesiastical archi-tecture. The nearby Branič-kula (Deen-sive Tower) is partially destroyed, butnonetheless an impressive 15-metre

– A walk through the beautiul Lazarica Church– Participating in Kruševac’s Vidovdan Ceremonies at the end o June– An outing to Mount Jastrebac

WE RECOMMEND:

structure.Kruševac’s National Museum is considered one o Serbia’s

most beautiul buildings. Featuring grand collections that pres-ent the history o the town and its surroundings, the museum’smost valuable collection piece is the vestment o Tsar Lazar.

The town centre, which dates back to the 19th and early20th centuries, is located at the heart o the medieval town.

The monument to Kosovo’s heroes dominates the town centreand is the work o sculptor Đorđe Jovanović. The building o thepresent day town hall eatures magnicent mosaics by academ-ic Mladen Srbinović that depict medieval Moravian Serbia.

The southern ridges o Mt. Goč are home to the Veluće Mon-astery, just 22 kilometres rom Kruševac. The monastery wasounded by two noble brothers, who are depicted in the paint-ings that adorn the walls o the church.

ACTIVITIESKruševac hosts several estive events every summer. They in-

clude the Vidovdan Ceremonies, which take place at the end o June, and the Cultural Summer estivities, which last through-

out the summer. Kruševac has a long tradition o theatrical artsand its National Theatre is one o the most respected in thecountry. Representatives rom theatres across the en-

tire region gather here during the city’s traditionalTheatre Days event.

This region’s locals have a reputation orbeing quite cheerul and they also show

a great sense o humour. I you arelooking or a un experience,head to the Golden Helmet,Kruševac’s annual international

estival o humour



of Lazarica

BELGRADE

34.

T O Kšvc

Mjk Jvć 3, 37000 KšvcT: +381 37 440 332, 445 180E-: [email protected]

Built in the late 1370s, the Naupare Monastery islocated 15 kilometres south o Kruševac. Two re-markable rosettes on the monastery’s westernside stand out among those on its richly decorat-ed walls. Like other noble churches in the region,Naupare replicates the structure o Kruševac’sLazarica Church.

ROSETTES

and satire.Ćićevac lies approximately 10 kilometres rom Kruševac.

A ormer marsh area covered with ponds, swamps and back-waters, Ćićevac is also known or the Great Vortex, which wasconnected to the River Morava by a network o undergroundchannels. Locals called it The Crazy and no one dared bathe init, believing it to be bottomless.

One o the most expansive late Middle Age ortresses lies inĆićevac municipality close to Stalać. The ortress was built inthe 1370s to protect Kruševac, then Serbia’s capital city.

Explore urther and discover Varvarin, site o one o the mostglorious victories (1810) o the First Serbian Uprising. Eventhough they were thrice outnumbered, the united Serbian andRussian armies denitively deeated the Turkish orces here.The battle was preceded by a duel, during which megdandžija(combatant) Jova Kursula killed Omer-Aga, a amous Turkishmilitary leader.



with courtyards or caravans) and two mosques.” Jagodina played animportant role during both Serbian Uprisings and liberation rom theTurks. In the mid-19th century the rst glass actory was establishedhere and soon ater a brewery began to operate.

Jagodina is now a modern city o the Pomoravlje District (theRiver Morava Valley area). The city’s town centre eatures a number

o beautiul historical buildings. The Native Museum o Jagodina isnow located in what used to be the old school house. The town cen-tre eatures the 1899 St. Peter and Paul Church, designed by SvetozarIvačković. The structure is well proportioned, has a developed cross-in-square base, ve domes and a separate bell tower. Hajduk Veljko’sresidence is located nearby. This historical structure is named aterthe hero o First Serbian Uprising, who lived here or a period.

ACTIVITIESThe 14th-century Jošanica Monastery is nestled in the hills o Crni

Vrh (Black Peak) Mountain, 10 kilometres rom Jagodina. The monas-

tery, ounded by Tsar Lazar, eatures the Moravian style St. NicholasChurch. I you are visiting the area, a stop here is a must!

ĆUPRIJA – SIGHTS Just 13 kilometres rom Jagodina, the town o Ćuprija lies at the

conuence o the rivers Ravanica and Great (Velika) Morava. This typ-

ical Moravian town is 145 kilometres rom Belgrade and has a popula-tion o 22,000. Its main street is named ater Tsar Lazar.

35. JAGODINA, ĆUPRIJA

A Resting Place amid

– A visit to the Native Museum o Jagodina– A stroll down Tsar Lazar Street in Ćuprija– Taking a photo in the courtyard o

Ravanica Monastery

WE RECOMMEND:

JAGODINA – SIGHTS Jagodina lies 135 kilometres rom Belgrade and is

accessible via the highway leading to Niš. The rsthistorical document citing Jagodina dates back to the14th century. Records indicate that Jagodina was a de-veloped town with a state administration.

The Turks established a settlement here during the15th and 16th centuries. Travel memoirs describe it as“a beautiul town with our caravanserais (Turkish inns

Since 1960 Jagodina has been home to the Museum o naïve art. Known as the Gallery o Sel-Taught Painters,it is Serbia’s rst naïve art establishment. The museumocuses on the systematic gathering, preservation andstudy o naïve artworks. Jagodina was chosen as the siteo the museum because the original collection mostlyeatures the works o Janko Brašić, a peasant artist romthe nearby town o Oparice. Located in the very centreo the city, the museum is housed in a beautiul 1929villa. Today it exhibits over 2,500 pieces by naïve artists,

making it one o the largest museums o its kind in theworld. Approximately 200 o the most representativenaïve artworks were chosen or the museum’s perma-nent exhibit.

NAÏVE ART



T O JdSv Ivvć 2, 35000 JdT: +381 35 252 983, 282 199E-: [email protected].

T O Ćpj Mcpy13. k 7, 35230 ĆpjT: +381 35 8470 248E-: [email protected]

st Saintly Rel ics

BELGRADE

35.

ACTIVITIESĆuprija is best known or the magnicent Ravanica Monas-

tery. Just 15 kilometres rom the town centre via Highway E-75,Ravanica was ounded by Tsar Lazar, who is buried here. Duringthe great migration o the Serbs across the Sava and Danube riv-

ers, his remains were taken to St. Andrews Church in Hungaryand then to Vrdnik Monastery in Fruška Gora. During WWII theywere transported to Belgrade’s Saborna crkva (St. Michael theArchangel Cathedral), beore nally being returned to Ravanicain 1989.

This magnicent structure, the construction o which beganin 1375, eatures a surrounding wall marked by seven towers. TheOttoman Turks repeatedly destroyed Ravanica in 1389, 1436 and1438, beore it was completely abandoned in 1690 until Monkslater returned. Ravanica’s architecture exhibits the oundationso the Moravian School o Serbian medieval masonry. Its designcombines elements o the temples built by previous Serbianrulers, with a cross-in-square church base such as thoseused traditionally in the Mount Athos monasteries’ tri-

conchal bases. With its multiple layers o stone andbrick, a large rosette above the western portaland checkered patterns under the domes, thechurch’s exterior exemplies the Byzantiumstyle. Ravanica’s window rames are rich-ly decorated with shallow relies, whilethe church’s most exquisite rescoesare the Mother o God with Christin the altar apse and the Miracleso Christ. The paintings in the nar-thex date rom the 18th and 19thcenturies.

The St. Transguration Mon-astery is located near the River

Crnica, just 12 kilometres romRavanica. The monastery wasnamed ater its patron, FatherSisoje, a respected spiritualleader. His portrait is partiallypreserved in a resco depict-ing him holding a model o thechurch. The monastery, typicalo the Moravian School, once ea-tured a plethora o rescoes that re-main only partially preserved today.The best-preserved rescoes resemblethose at Ravanica, which are consideredthe most beautiul paintings o MoravianSerbia. A visit to Ravanica Monastery will

transport you back in time!



36. PARAĆIN, DESPOTOVAC

Despot Stefan Lazarević’sPARAĆIN – SIGHTS

Paraćin is located 160 kilometres rom Belgrade via High-way E-75 towards Niš. The River Crnica passes through thetown and ows into the Great Morava three kilometresdownstream. The Municipality o Paraćin is part o the rich

and ertile Pomoravlje District (River Morava Valley area),which descends rom the Kučaj Mountains in the east to-wards the Great Morava in the west. The Crnica and Grza riv-ers transverse this beautiul valley.

Historical records indicate the town was probably ound-ed in the 14th century. Paraćin experienced widespread in-dustrial growth in the second hal o the 19th century, whena number o textile, cement and glass actories opened.

ACTIVITIESThe 14th century St. Petka Monastery is located on

the right bank o the River Grza at the opening o theČestobrodica Canyon. The domes above the naos (main

body) and the narthex (entrance) resemble the dome o theLjubostinja Church.The Grza region near Paraćin attracts the most visitors

– A visit to the spectacular Resava Cave– A visit to Manasija Monastery – A visit to the Ivkov Ponor (recess)

WE RECOMMEND:

and you will nd a popular excursion site 17 kilometres along theroad rom Paraćin to Zaječar. Another popular getaway destina-tion is the beautiul village o Krivi Vir, which lies 20 kilometresrom Paraćin.

DESPOTOVAC – SIGHTSDespotovac is a small mining town 130 kilometres south o

Belgrade. The town’s popular sites include the Manasija Monas-tery, Despotovačka Banja spa, the Mining Museum in the SenjMine and the River Resava, which eatures several beautiul wa-teralls.

The Manasija Monastery is one o the key ecclesiastical andcultural centres o Moravian Serbia. The monastery ’s Holy TrinityChurch was built as a mausoleum or Despot Stean Lazarević,one o Serbia’s most prominent rulers and the son o Tsar La-zar. Manasija’s exterior was completed in the 18th century. Thecomplex has endured destructions o several wars and all thatremains o the old narthex is the beautiul mosaic oor, eatur-ing white, green-blue and red marble. The oor is similar to thelavish oors o Milutin’s Church at Hilandar.

The wall eatures a depiction o Lazarević in his splendid vest-ments receiving a spear and sword rom winged angels.It was here that Lazarević created the

Resava School, Serbia’s mostrenowned book transcrip-

tion institute. Manasija’srescoes are among

the most magnicentcreations o medi-

eval Serbia.



Majestic Monastery

BELGRADE

36.

The mighty River Resava originates in the KučajMountains, some 1100 metres above sea level, and

ends 65 kilometres downstream as it reaches theGreat Morava. The Vitanovača Reserve, a naturalrainorest located near the upper sections o theResava, comprises 38 hectares and abounds withmajestic beech trees.

THE VITANOVACA RESERVE

T O Pć McpyKj P I 13, 35250 PćT: +381 35 565 814E-: [email protected]

T O Dpvc McpyCk 3, 35213 DpvcT: +381 35 613 672E-: [email protected].

ACTIVITIESTowering at 1339 metres, Mount Beljanica separates Resava

rom Homolje. The karst topography here created a series o round karst valleys, pits, ravines and caves. The central plateauis bare, but the hills are covered with beech orests, oak orests

and even rainorests in certain places. I you decide to hike inthis area you will discover mushrooms, particularly the porcinivariety, growing at the bases o large tree trunks. Though thearea is strewn with numerous shepherd cottages, no perma-nent settlements exist.

The entrance to the renowned Resava Cave is located in thedepths o the Beljanica Mountain, approximately 10 kilometreseast o Manasija. This opening was not discovered until 1962,due to the dense vegetation surrounding this natural won-der. The cave has three levels and covers a total length o 2,380metres. The top two levels are open to visitors and eature an800-metre long pathway. The lowest level eatures an under-ground river. The cave maintains a constant temperature o 14°C.

Far below the peaks o Mount Sokolica, the Veliko Vrelo River

ows across a steep cli to create a spectacular 200-metre wa-terall. The plunging waters have created a large recess in thekarst grounds over time, resulting in the largest single waterallin Serbia. At 156 m in length, Ivkov ponor is Serbia’s largest re-cess. Come and see this spectacular natural beauty or yoursel!

This region is a popular hunting spot. The Južni Kučaj hunt-ing grounds stretch across the territories o Despotovac andParaćin and hunters are allowed to shoot European deer, doe,wild boar and rabbit. The ox, lynx, otter, wild pigeon, grey al-con, imperial eagle and golden eagle, however, are all perma-nently protected species. The grounds eature our comortablelodges available or overnight accommodation.



37. SMEDEREVO, SMEDEREVSKA PALANKA, VELIKA PLANA

The Har vest

Smederevo’s trademark is its massive ortress.Spanning 11 acres o land, the ortress was erectedas the new Serbian capital at the conuence o the

Jezava and Danube rivers during the time o ĐurađBranković. The Residence, a ortied

court known as the Small Town,was completed just two years aterconstruction began in 1428. The terrain

also determined the triangularshape o the city, which was builtto resemble Constantinople. Thebrother o Despotess Irina led the

construction o the ortress and the

so-called Main City was completed in1439. It ell under Turkish rule in 1459, theyear that marked end o the medieval Serbian

state and the beginning o several centuries o Turkish occupation.

THE SMEDEREVO FORTRESS

SMEDEREVO – SIGHTSSmederevo lies on the River Danube 46 kilometres rom Belgrade via Grocka. In Ser-

bian history the conquest o Smederevo marked the beginning o three and a hal cen-turies o Ottoman rule over Serbia.

The monumental Smederevo Fortress, the largest o medieval Serbia, dominates the

city’s landscape. At one time Smederevo’s bastion walls spanned 500 m along the Dan-ube, 400 metres along the Jezav, and 502 m on its inland side. Twenty-ve massive towersmarked its walls. Six were located in the Small Town, with the other 19 located in the MainCity. The oundations o a church were uncovered here in the early 1980s. Built between1851 and 1855, Smederevo’s St. George Church was the rst o several erected in Serbia byAndrej Damjanov, a mason rom Veles.

Smederevo’s city commissioners requested that the temple and all prominent build-ings in the city be built in the same style as Manasija. Damjanov, thus, constructed

a ve-domed church, a combination o a basilica structure and a churchplan with a cross-in-square base. The tall, monumental baroque

classical bell tower rises high above the narthex. This church is o great signicance to Smederevo, marking the beginning o the

city’s urbanisation. Stroll through Smederevo city centre anddiscover the District Courthouse, which was built between1886 and 1888 according to a design o Aleksandar Bugar-

ski. Its architecture is a combination o the 19th centuryAcademism and Neo-Renaissance styles. You will also ndPera Popović’s 1919 Gymnasium school building and 1920s

Municipal Hall on the main square. Above its main entrance,the Municipal Hall’s building crown roo eatures our statues

depicting Justice, Order, Science and Culture.

ACTIVITIESModern Smederevo is the seat o the Danube Valley region and



of Life

BELGRADE

37.

– Participating in Smederevo’s grape harvest– An outing at Jugovo– A visit to Pokajnica

WE RECOMMEND:

T O SdvOdk 1, 11300 SdvT: +381 26 222 952, 614 726E-: [email protected], www.vdjv.c

T I C SdvKj P I . 8T: +381 26 615 666E-: [email protected].

T O Sdvk Pk McpyPv Spk k 2/6, 11420 SdvkPkT: +381 26 322 982E-: @v.,[email protected].

T d Sp C Vk PNk Pšć , 11320 Vk P

T: +381 26 521 131, 514 538, Fx: +381 26 521 363E-: [email protected]..

the town is well known beyond Serbia’s borders or its winetradition. Roman emperor Prob brought the grapes that nowcomprise the vineyards along the Danube in the 3rd century.The Smederevo Autumn estival honours the tradition o wineand grape harvesting every year in late September. Nušić’sDays, a contest or comedy theatre troupes, is held in Sme-derevo every April. The event honours amous comedian Bran-

islav Nušić, who spent part o his lie in Smederevo.I you are in Smederevo make certain to visit the Plavinac

Vineyards, the Obrenović Country House and the Zlatni Breg(Golden Hill) Villa.

SMEDEREVSKA PALANKA – SIGHTSOnce known as Bela Crkva, Smederevska Palanka lies 80

kilometres rom Belgrade and 30 kilometres rom Smederevo.This town had many names throughout its history, includingBink Palanka, Jeni Palanka, Velika Palanka and Hasan-pašinaPalanka, among others. The municipality is located at theconuence o the Kubršnica and Jasenica rivers and is hometo Goša industries, which manuactures wagons, bridges and

other types o steel structures.The Holy Transguration Church was built in Palanka be-

tween 1865 and 1890. Famous Serbian Romanticist painterSteva Todorović and his colleagues painted the murals andiconostasis o this beautiul temple.

Located just 15 m rom the church, the old stone bridge isa vestige o the old Constantinople thoroughare, which oncepassed through this region. The oldest urban remnant o thecity is the Stara Čaršija (Old Bazaar) on Karađorđeva Street,along the stretch rom the church to the stone bridge. Thecharming Church o St. Petka is located on Kralja Petra (KingPetar) Street near the town centre.

ACTIVITIESSmederevska Palanka is rich in thermal and mineral wa-

ter springs, while locals and visitors alike head to the nearbyKudreč Lake to cool o during the hot summer months.

VELIKI PLANA – SIGHTSVelika Plana was once considered the largest village along Bel-

grade–Niš Highway. When in Velika Plana there are two Serbianheritage sites you must see: the Koporin Monastery and the logcabin style Pokajnica Church.

ACTIVITIESThe Koporin Monastery in the village o Koporin is located

just six kilometres southwest o Velika Plana. The monastery’schurch honours St. Stean and is closely linked to Despot SteanLazarević, whose despotic insignia is eatured on the westernwall o the structure.

A log cabin style church with the symbolic name Pokajnica(pokajati – to repent) is also located near Velika Plana. Thisquaint church has a unique history, with the orest surroundingthe church marking the very place where Vujica Vuličević mur-dered his godather Karađorđe in 1817. To demonstrate his repen-tance, Vuličević built the church on the exact spot where he satdown to rest ater removing the clothes, weapons and emblemso honour belonging to Karađorđe. Wooden churches are a spe-cic expression o indebtedness to Serbia’s village areas. They are

built o quality oak and can be easily disassembled and moved toanother location.



38. POŽAREVAC, KOSTOLAC, MALO CRNIĆE, PETROVAC

Remnants of the

WE RECOMMEND:– A visit to the Milena Pavlović-Barili Museum– Purchasing an item o replica Roman jewellery in

Viminacium– A visit to the Ljubičevo Ergela (Horse Farm)

POŽAREVAC – SIGHTSPožarevac is located 80 kilometres rom Belgrade and lies at

the intersection o roads leading to Homolje and Đerdap. Thecity, rst mentioned in Tsar Lazar’s charter by its original name,Puporače, is today the centre o the Braničevo District and bor-

ders Veliko Gradište to the east, Malo Crniće and Žabari to thesouth, Smederevo to the west and the municipalities o Kovinand Bela Crkva just over the Danube to the north. Požarevac isaccessible by train, via the Belgrade–Bor–Zaječar railway, and byair, via the small Ljubiša Veličković Airport in nearby Kostolac.

The 1889 Preecture and Court House Building typiy the Aca-demism style. The 1819 Cathedral Church in the town centre is asingle-nave neoclassical structure. Nikola Marković painted theiconostasis in 1870. The National Museum, established in 1895,houses an impressive archaeological collection which eaturesexhibits rom the nearby ancient city o Viminacium. The galleryo Milena Pavlović-Barili exhibits the artist’s lie works, whichinclude 600 paintings, drawings and aquarelles. The gallery ishoused in Pavlović-Barili’s ormer home and birthplace.

The Požarevac Theatre is best known as being the venue or

the 1842 Balkan premiere o Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

ACTIVITIESEthno-park Tulba is one o Serbia’s many ethno-parks. Its set-

up resembles an 1880s-style settlement and consists o a home-stead, a winched well, a log cabin and several homes. PrinceMiloš Obrenović built several holiday homes here or himsel andhis wie. Serbia’s rst ergela (horse arm) was ounded here in1853 and named Ljubičevo, in honour o Miloš’s wie Ljubica. TheLjubičevo Equestrian Games and estivities are held here everyyear during the rst weekend in September. This popular com-petition consists o ve events: dagger jousting, gallop races andspear, arrow and spiked mace throwing.

There are plentiul water sources surrounding Požarevac, o-ering ideal conditions or the urther development o tourism.This region is home to the Plugovo Regional Nature Park and arange o scenic nature spots in Dragovac, Ljubičevo, Krivaja, Ras-tova Kosa and Rastovača.

KOSTOLAC – SIGHTSThe town o Kostolac, situated near the conuence o the Riv-

er Mlava into the Danube just 11 kilometres north o Požarevac,eatures the ruins o the ancient Roman city o Viminacium. ThisRoman ortication, once the capital o the province o Moesia,was originally built as an encampment or the 7th Roman Legion.Viminacium experienced rapid development as a result o its stra-

tegic geographical location and Emperor Hadrian granted thesettlement city status during his rule. In 239AD it became a colo-ny and was granted the rights to mint its own coins. Viminaciumwas also the seat o the Emperor’s regent and the harbour o theDanube Fleet. Archaeological digs have uncovered 14,000 gravesin the ancient cemetery o this Roman metropolis. Viminacium



Roman Empire

BELGRADE

38.

T O PžvcVjk Dšvć 25, 12000 Pžvc

T: +381 12 542 277E-: [email protected]., p-

[email protected].

T I C PžvcDk 1, 12000 Pžvc

T: +381 12 544 155, 221 941, 542 277E-: [email protected]., pz-

[email protected]

T O M CćMcpy

Uc Gv 80, 12311 M CćT: +381 12 280 164

E-: ck@cc., c@c.

www.c.

T O Pvc MvMcpySpkh vd 165, 12300 Pvc

T: +381 12 326 343E-: [email protected]

www.pvcv.

The city o Stig has its own miniature Holy Mountain (Sveta Gora – Mt. Athos in Greece). The legend and olk-song, God Settles all His Debts, is woven into the history o this small settlement and both tell the story o awoman who wanted to cause discord between brothers and their sister. The sister was killed and the womanincriminated her sister-in-law in this terrible crime. She then orced her husband to take merciless revengeon his own sister by killing her. Several pilgrimage sites were established on the site where the ill-ated girls’body parts were scattered. There are several monasteries in the area that bear their names. They include Zaova(zaova – sister-in-law), Sestroljin in Požarevac (sestra – sister), Rukumija in Kučevo (ruka – hand, because thesister’s hands were allegedly dismembered by horses), and Bradača (brada – chin). The Kusan Spring (kušanje

– trial) and Panarija Spring in Petrovac-on-Mlava were also named ater this legend. Panarija Spring, possi-bly named ater the Panarion, an early-Christian treatise on heresy that ofers remedies or the poison o her-esy, has achieved cult status. Bradača, in the nearby village o Kula, and Zaova are traditionally connected tothe song and estate-owners (Vlastela) Radić, Pavle and Radul. Pilgrims come to Bradače to cure inertility. InSmoljinac you will nd St. Petka Monastery, which stands amidst glorious poplar trees and a beautiul lake.

STIG

is also home to several memorial structures, sarcophagi, tombsadorned with rescoes and unique gold and silver jewellery. Ar-chaeologists recently discovered two aqueducts that once pro-vided water across nine kilometres to over 30,000 residents o the ancient city. Viminacium is the only ormer imperial Romancity in present day Serbia that did not eventually become a largermodern settlement.

Additional historical sites close to Viminacium include Mar-gum, a prehistoric settlement and Roman ornication, theBronze Age Rukumija and the prehistoric and Bronze Age Mali-nac. The Bronze Age Velika majka (Goddess Mother) statue, alsoknown as the Idol o Kličevac, was uncovered in nearby Kličevac.It is known across the world as a unique Bronze Age relic.

Iba is internationally recognised as a major point in the ightpath o migrating birds. Located in the vicinity o Kostolac (Žilovariver islet, Stojkova river islet), this is a Ramsar wetland region.

MALO CRNIĆE – SIGHTSThe small town o Malo Crniće lies 12 kilometres rom

Požarevac and is known or its gorgeous orested areas criss-

crossed by a network o waterways. Malo Crniće is also knownor its Amateurs-o-Drama Festival, which takes place duringMay and the rst hal o June.

PETROVAC – SIGHTSNestled in the Mlava River Valley, Petrovac on the Mlava lies

just 36 kilometres rom Požarevac. A visit to two o Serbia’s mostsignicant medieval monuments is a must i you are in the area!

Just 13 kilometres rom Petrovac you will nd a beautiul mon-astery that includes the Church o the Ascension o the Mothero God, two konak residences, the remains o a cave chapel andthe walls o an old ortication. According to popular belie, KingMilutin built this monastery in 1257.

The medieval town o Ždrelo, located 14 kilometres romPetrovac-on-Mlava, eatures tombstones adorned with in-credible 14th and 15th century epigraphs.



39. KUČEVO, ŽAGUBICA

Land Dressed inKUČEVO – SIGHTS

Kučevo is located in northeastern Serbia 42 kilometres rom Požarevac and 130kilometres rom Belgrade. Many believe Kučevo, once known as Guduscum, wasan ancient Roman settlement and the discovery o gold coins eaturing EmperorHadrian conrm the presence o the Roman Empire in Kučevo in 128 BC. Hadrian

mined gold, silver and steel in the Roman city o Guduscum, where the Kučajskaand Pek rivers meet. All that remains o ancient Guduscum today is a small orti-ed area. Visitors to Kučevo will immediately be drawn to the area’s pristine na-ture, rich ethnological and archaeological heritage and riendly people.

ACTIVITIESExplore the area around Kučevo and you will quickly discover its incredible caves.

I you are interested in caves, a visit to the beautiul and majestic CeremošnjaCave, which lies 13 kilometres rom Kučevo, is a must. It is also accessible via thevillages o Kučajne and Bukovske. The cave was created by the 775-metre-longStrugarski Creek, which runs through it. The cave eatures a 431-metre-long visi-tors’ pathway. The cave’s largest opening, Arena, is one o the most beautiul inSerbia. The 20-metre-high ceiling is dome-shaped and eatures beautiul sta-

lactites. Explore the cave urther and discover the Dveri (doorway) and a small

T O Kčv McpySv Sv 114, 12240 KčvT: +381 12 850 666E-: kcv@p.,[email protected].

T O Žc McpyMš T 25,

12320 ŽcT: +381 12 7643 657E-: [email protected].

waterall o the Strugarski Creek leading to the cave’s exit, approximately 100 mrom the entrance. Kučevo has plenty more caves, including Ravništarka and theDubočka Cave, which is an ideal destination or those interested in speleologicaland adventure tourism. Kučevo is well known or its Homoljski motivi handicratestival, which takes place every year at the end o May and beginning o June.This estive event, eaturing gold handicrats rom eastern Serbia, was rst held in1968 and has signicantly contributed to the preservation o the authentic song,dance and customs o this region. It has also played a role in the appreciation o traditional ood, handicrats and ancient skills, including gold rinsing on the Riv-er Pek. Kučevo has been a mining region or centuries. Visit the area and you willdiscover its three gold mines: Blagojev Kamen (Blagoje’s Stone), Santa Barbaraand Grabova River. Gold was also ound near the River Pek several decades ago.

According to historical records, King Aleksandar Karađorđević was able to extractthree tonnes o gold rom the Neresnica area near the River Pek using primitivetechnology. The more traditional method or nding gold was rinsing: a methodwhich has not changed over time. The simplest approach was to drop a sheep’seece to the bottom o the river and wait or the gold to collect in it. This methodwas eective because gold is lighter than sand. The last step was to shake the



Gold

BELGRADE

39.

– извор реке Млаве– истражити пећину Церемошњу – купити земљани суд у Жагубици

WE RECOMMEND:

The River Pek in Kučevo is well known in the re-gion or its gold supply. Though there is someevidence indicating that gold still exists here,

locals are more dedicated to agriculture thanlooking or gold.

In the 19th century travel writer Sigmund Au-gust Heder described this apparent noncha-lance in one o his travel memoirs. He notedthat villagers would rinse gold rom the RiverPek in passing and only as an addition to theirtraditional jobs. They would then sell the goldin Čuvatima in Vidin. Though it is a sort o par-adox that gold rinsing in Kučevo no longer ex-ists, locals believe that it somehow brings bad

luck to the rinser. According to legend, EmperorTrajan broke through the Đerdap Gorge in hisquest to nd gold in the River Pek and drainedthe ancient Pannonian Sea.

GOLD RINSING

eece and collect the gold. Just 15 kilometres rom Kučevo youwill discover the 3rd century Kraku lu Jordan archaeological siteand metallurgical complex. This ascinating spot, located in thevillage o Brodica in the direction o Majdankep, is a orested arearich in small and large bird species.

ŽAGUBICA – SIGHTSŽagubica is 120 kilometres rom Belgrade. The municipal-

ity stretches across the upper part o the Mlava River Valleyand its tributaries. The area comprises two sections: oothillsand a mountain range. The middle portion is composed o theŽagubička basin, who’s lower part is at an altitude o 300 metresin average. The highest part o the valley is on the west, north

and northeast part. The lower Gornjačke (825 m) and HomoljeMountains (940 m) orm the valley’s natural boundaries.

Žagubica is sparsely populated, with inhabitants spreadacross twenty villages, o which Žagubica is the largest. TheGornjak Monastery lies 26 kilometres rom Žagubica overlookinga steep cli to the north. Tsar Lazar built the monastery with thehelp o monk Gregory, who arrived in this region rom arawayMount Sinai (1378–1381). The monastery eatures beautiul res-coes painted in 1847 and the remains o St. Gregory Sianit are lo-cated in the small chapel above the church. There are also a ewpartially preserved rescoes rom the 14th century in the church’sgrotto.

ACTIVITIESVisit the area and you will notice its beautiul clay pots, which

are richly decorated with gures or ower motis. These beauti-ul pots are characteristic o the region. The area also boasts co-lourully painted distas and other wooden objects. Purchaseone to remind you o your visit!



40. VELIKO GRADIŠTE, GOLUBAC

Where the DanubeVELIKO GRADIŠTE – SIGHTS

Veliko Gradište lies on the shores o the Danube 114 kilome-tres rom Belgrade. This town is an ideal port o call or shipsheading rom the Black Sea to Central Europe and it is herethat the River Pek meets the Danube.

Thanks to its strategic position on the Danube, VelikoGradište served as an important export station in the 19thcentury. The 1856 St. Archangel Gabriel Church, which over-looks the Danube, is one o the city’s key attractions. Built in1879, Veliko Gradište High School is next to the church, whilea stroll to the other side o the church will reveal the beau-tiul City Hall. The park next to this building eatures severalmonuments commemorating the victims o WWI and WWII.This part o town is called Gradištanska čaršija (Gradište ba-zaar). Stop to look at the Danube in Gradište and appreciate

just how expansive it is. At a width o nearly two kilometres,it is no wonder this stretch o the river is sometimes calledthe Danube Sea.

ACTIVITIESExplore beyond Veliko Gradište and you will discover the

beautiul Silver Lake (Srebrno jezero). Located just three kilo-metres rom Veliko Gradište, the lake attracts locals and visi-tors alike. Though it was once quite insignicant in size, to-day it is 14 kilometres in length, 100-300 metres wide and 8-9metres deep. Ostrvo (island) is a beautiul river islet locatedbetween the Danube and Silver Lake.

The Beli bagrem (White Acacia) recreation zone near theDanube extends south to the road leading to Požarevac. Thewhole area abounds with beautiul acacia orests, meadows,agricultural lands and a network o channels.

I you are a nature enthusiast, head to Jaz. Located just aew kilometres upstream rom the conuence o the Pek and

Ram is a medieval ortress located one kilometrerom the village o Ram and approximately 15 kilo-metres rom Veliko Gradište. Bayezid II built Ram in1483, ollowing completion o the nearby town o Kuliča. Today the ortress is a symbol o Serbia’s richculture and history. The Ram ortress and archaeo-logical site draw approximately 5,000 visitors peryear, who come to admire its architecture and mar-vel at the view o Vojvodina rom this spot on theDanube.

RAM

the Danube, it is a perect place to swim, eaturing a small bayormed when the local hydroelectric power plant was built.

The bay quickly became a natural habitat or a number o bird species, particularly migratory birds resting at the river islein Gradište, near the village o Ram. In autumn these migratorybirds y in rom North and Northeast Europe and Northern andWestern Asia, all congregating here by the end o January. Aninternational expedition carried out a ew years ago identiedapproximately 136,000 examples o 25 species o birds here. I you would like to see this phenomenon or yoursel, rent a boatthrough one o the local hunting associations.

I you are interested in hunting, head to the 18,000 hectareRamski rit (Ram Fen) hunting grounds. The area oers plenty o awn, wild boar, rabbit, pheasant, partridge and even predatorslike oxes and badgers.

Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic Eurovelo 6 cycleroute that passes through Golubac, Gradište, Zatonje and Ram.There are also plans to establish a erry system, which wouldtransport cyclists across the Danube rom Ram to Vojvodina.

The Nimnik Monastery, also known as the Marian Monas-tery, is located two kilometres rom the village o Kurjače. It



Resembles a Sea

BELGRADE

40.

– A stroll through the quaint Gradište Čaršija section o VelikoGradište

– Sailing on the Danube near the village o Zatonje– Sampling some wonderul perch and other river delicacies in

Golubac

WE RECOMMEND:

T O Vk Gdš McpyVjvd Pk 2, 12220 Vk GdšT/Fx: +381 12 663 179E-: @v.www.v.

T O Gc McpyG Tšć-Mčk 1, 12223 GcT: +381 12 638 614E-: [email protected].

was built to commemorate the transport o St. Father Nikolaj’sremains. The old monastery, which dates back to the 14th cen-tury, was the metochion o the old Ravanica Monastery. His-torians believe that Tsar Lazar’s Duke Bogoslav was its patron.Though destroyed during the Ottoman occupation, it was laterrebuilt by Prince Miloš and is today a women’s monastery.

GOLUBAC – SIGHTSThough located on the Danube, Golubac looks more like a

maritime town. It is no wonder! The Danube is almost six ki-lometres wide here. Golubac is 130 kilometres rom Belgradeon the Belgrade–Kladovo Highway. Perched on the clis o theDanube, the 14th century Golubac ortress is one o the keylandmarks in this region. Stean Lazarević built the ortress atthis precise spot so he could control river navigation.

According to historical records, Duke Jeremija sold the or-tress to the Turks or a sum o 12,000 ducats. This impressivestructure has nine towers, the largest o which is also the tall-est. The ortress is under state protection as a symbol o Serbia’scultural heritage.

ACTIVITIESExplore beyond the ortress and discover the Đerdap Nation-

al Park and the Golubački Grad natural resort. The area is rich in

spectacular ora, including acacia, hornbeam, mountain ash,honey oak and beech. Wildlie here is also well diversied.

Every January the city o Golubac organises a hunt or bad-gers in the area’s sandy terrain, while the hunter’s encounterwith the wol event is held every February.

In May the city celebrates the Days o the Perch at Ram or-

tress. Dog shows and an ethno estival take place at the endo July. The ethno estival includes the Danube Fair: Heritageo Serbia exposition, the Golubački kotlić (Golubac pot) andEtno sabor (Ethno convention) events. There is also an annualkayaking regatta and sailing championship.

The Golubac convention is held on the day o the Ascen-sion o the Most Holy Mother o God. Every September Golu-bac stages horseracing competitions starting in Golubac andending at the Tuman Monastery. There is also a beach volley-ball championship.

Overall, Golubac oers a range o un and activities year-round. Come and see or yoursel!



41. MAJDANPEK, KLADOVO

Beauties of the

– видети Трајанову таблу са Дунава– купити риболике фигуре у Лепенском виру – ручак у старом селу Манастирица

НЕ ТРЕБА ПРОПУСТИТИ:

MAJDANPEK – SIGHTSThe small town o Majdanpek in the Bor District is bestknown or its mines and the mining tradition has lasted hereor 7,000 years. Majdanpek lies 192 kilometres rom Belgradeand visitors to the town will be surprised to see a number o high-rise buildings that are a result o its geographical positionon a narrow and short basin surrounded by hills on all sides,which has seen the town develop vertically rather than hori-zontally.

The Danube orms an elbow as it snakes its way throughthis municipality, with the city o Donji Milanovac situatedat its vertex. The Danube here is 1,800 metres wide and quitecalm, making it an ideal spot or a boat ride or water sports.Donji Milanovac was built ollowing the construction o theĐerdap hydroelectric power plant. The town was built on anmanmade plateau and eatures old buildings relocated romthe town o Stari Milanovac. The Đerdap National Park andgorge are located nearby.

The Đerdap Gorge in the Municipality o Majdanpek is con-sidered the most beautiul on the Danube. Its sheer walls de-

scend 300 metres down to the waters o the Danube, wherethe width o the riverbed measures 150-170 m. The nearby VelikiKazan (big cauldron) Canyon eatures a plethora o whirlpools,some 71 m deep and below sea level. Visit the viewing point atPloče and east your eyes on this remarkable canyon.

The Lepenski Vir archaeological site is located upstreamrom Donji Milanovac. The site, which dates back to 6500–

4500 BC, is a cultural monument o great signicance, care-ully relocated during the building o the Đerdap hydroelectricplant, and later on covered with a protective structure withina contemporary and beautiully arranged visitor centre. Lep-enski Vir is one o the most signicant archaeological sites inEurope, boasting extraordinary remnants o culture and art.The discovery o settlements – sanctuaries that date back toprehistoric times is incredible and archaeologists believe thatpeople have lived in this area continuously or over 1500 years.

ACTIVITIESThere are approximately 110 caves in the vicinity o Majdan-

pek. The Rajkova Cave, which is just 2.5 kilometres rom the

city, is considered the most extraordinary and is open to visi-tors every day.

Explore beyond Majdanpek and discover the impressiveMiloš Tower, which is located near the Porečka River Valley justo the road rom Donji Milanovac towards Rudna Glava. Theremains o 14th-century town walls are located seven kilome-tres rom Rudna Glava.

The Rudna Glava archaeological site is located in the villageo the same name. The site eatures one o the oldest prehis-toric metal mines, which historians believe dates back to theperiod between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.

A stop at the scenic Miroč village and mountain is a must i you are visiting the area. The nearby Gradašica Cave eaturesa number o round karst valleys, hollows, depressions andabysses. The remains o the ancient Roman Gerutalis Fortress

are also worth visiting.The Đerdap National Park oers stunning view o its valleys

and canyons. Though access to some o the park’s locationscan be a little challenging, we recommend you take one o tworoads which cut through the park. The rst is rom Donji Mi-lanovac heading to Oman and then Majdanpek. The second isrom Donji Milanovac heading to the village o Miroč.

I you are interested in hiking, the park oers a well-de-veloped network o trails that eature the best views o thebreath-taking scenery.

KLADOVO – SIGHTSI you happen to visit Kladovo (243 kilometres rom Bel-

grade), take a moment to gaze across the banks o the Danubeand don’t be surprised i you think you are at the seaside! Themighty Đerdap Gorge ends at the outer edges o Majdanpekmunicipality. Explore this area and discover the 16-km OrşovaValley and 6.5-km Sipska Canyon at the exit to the Mali Kazan.

The quaint town o Kladovo eatures a number o well-pre-



Đerdap Gorge

BELGRADE

41.

The prehistoric site at Lepenski Vir is home tosome o the most unusual sculpted sh-like g-

ures in the world, representing the oldest monu-mental gures in Europe. The settlement is laidout in a horseshoe shape and is a testament tothe builders’ knowledge o mathematics.

FISHY FIGURES

served structures and settlements along the banks o the Dan-ube. A number o buildings here, including the ArchaeologicalMuseum o Đerdap, are under state protection. The Kladovopromenade eatures a beautiul 900-metre-long beach over-looking the Danube.

ACTIVITIESI you are looking to see a unique historical monument in the

area, head to the ancient Roman city o Dierne (now known asOrşova) on the let bank o the Danube. You will discover thegure o Dacian King Decebalus carved into a rock at the con-uence o the Marakonija and Danube rivers.

Tekija was the rst settlement in the Kladovo municipality.Located in the western corner o the municipality near Kazan,Tekija is a typical shing town and is home to the Zlatna Bućka(Golden bućka) competition to catch the best catsh in Eu-rope.

Today access to the amous Trajan Plaque, Tabula Traianain Latin, which lies near the Đerdap Highway, is only possibleby boat. This important cultural monument dates back to the

beginning o the 2nd century.Trajan’s Bridge is located our kilometres rom Kladovo in

the village o Kostol. The architect Apolodor built the bridge inthe period between the years o 103 and 105. Together with theadjacent ortication called Pontes, it is a signicant Romanperiod monument in this part o the world. Diana, a Romanand early-Byzantine ortress that dates back to the period be-tween 102 and 103, is located on the banks o the Danube. It isone o the world’s largest Roman-Byzantine ortresses.

Kladovo has a small ethno-zone comprising our villages. I you visit this unique spot you will note traces o traditional vil-lage architecture, customs and mannerisms. Make certain tosample some o the delectable traditional dishes here.

T O Mjdpk McpyKj P I , 19220 Dj MvcT: +381 30 590 184, 596 184, 596 185, Fx: +38130 590 184E-: c@.

www..T I C Dj MvcKj P I T: +381 30 591 400E-: c@., jkv.pc@.

T O Kdv McpyDvk 16, 19320 KdvT: +381 19 801 690E-: [email protected].

T I C KdvT: +381 19 801 773



42. BOR, NEGOTIN

An Oasi s of Tranquil l

– Sampling a glass o Bukovac tamjanika wine– Seeing the amazing stone gates at Vratna Monastery – Visiting Lazareva Cave

WE RECOMMEND:

BOR – SIGHTSBor is located in eastern Serbia 230 kilometres rom Bel-

grade. According to historical records, the town dates back tothe 18th century. Several majestic mountains surround Bor, in-

cluding Stol (1165 m), Veliki Krš (1148 m) and Crni Vrh (1043m).

Though there are several archaeological sites that suggestthe existence o settlements during the Bronze Age, the rstreal town was established here during the Roman period. Fol-lowing liberation rom the Turks, Prince Miloš Obrenović hiredBaron Herdera to explore the natural resources o Serbia. Thebaron discovered the healing mineral waters o Brestovica, notar rom Bor, and in Bor itsel he ound something even moresignicant: mineral resources.

Prince Miloš built a konak residence near the mineral spring,while the opening o the mine would ollow later. Đorđe Va-

jert, one o Serbia’s wealthiest individuals at the beginning o the 20th century, was on a quest to extract mineral resources.He successully excavated the mine in 1903 and thus becamethe owner o the biggest copper mine in Europe.

Bor’s Museum o Mining and Metallurgy displays more than15,000 articles, more than any o its kind in Serbia.

ACTIVITIESExplore beyond Bor and you will discover the Lazareva Cave,

which was opened to visitors in 1953. The cave, ormed rom thesot soil o the River Lazar, eatures a spring near its entrance.Historians believe there were settlements near this cave in theBronze Age. A collection o woodworking chisels, awls, knives,axes and decorative objects dating back 5,000 years was dis-covered here, suggesting the existence o a prehistoric metalworkshop. The Vernjikica Cave, which lies just one kilometrerom Lazareva, is also worth seeing.

In 1953 a dam was erected at the oothills o Crni Vrh just 16kilometres rom Bor. This created an articial lake sourced romthree mountain rivers. Though the lake was originally intendedto be used by the nearby mine, the water was so pure that itbecame an ideal spot or swimming. I you are an outdoors en-thusiast, head to Crni vrh and take advantage o the campsiteand other acilities near the lake.

At the edge o Bor you will nd one o the biggest and deep-est open mine pits in Europe. The mine, which is no longer inoperation, draws a number o visitors every year.



i ty and Purity

BELGRADE

42.

Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac was a amous com-poser who hailed rom Negotin. Considered Serbia’s

greatest composer o all time, Mokranjac dedicatedhis ourth Rukovet (artwork) to his hometown. His15 works are considered the highest achievements o Serbian music. Today the house Mokranjac was bornin has been converted into a Museum. Every year thecity hosts the Mokranjac Days music estival in hishonour.

MOKRANJAC

NEGOTIN – SIGHTSNegotin is the centre o the Negotin Krajina area that orms

Serbia’s border with Romania and Bulgaria. It is 250 kilometresrom Belgrade, 70 kilometres rom Romania and 13 kilometres

rom Bulgaria.The old town o Negotin comprises the Čaršija (bazaar), sev-

eral buildings, monuments, ountains and a nearby park. Thisarea is protected by the state as a cultural heritage site. It includesthe birth house o Stevan Mokranjac and the residence o PrinceTodorče, the oldest preserved Negotin town house, which is todayhome to the Museum o Hajduk Veljko. The area under protectionalso includes the 19th-century College o Education building andthe 19th-century Holy Trinity Cathedral. The 14th-century NegotinFortress, called Baba Finka, is also a highlight o the old town.

ACTIVITIESNegotin Krajina includes approximately 1000 hectares o vine-

yards. The autochthonous grape varieties grown here includebagrinja, začinak, prokupac, vranac and smederevka. NegotinKrajina, however, is best known or its tamjanika grape variety.Head to the cellars o the Agriculture School to sample its amouswine!

Negotin’s pimnice (wine cellars) are representative o the region’s 18th and 19th century ethnological wine cellarsound in several Timok villages. Along with the old cemeter-ies in Rajac and Rogljevo, they are protected by the state assymbols o Serbia’s heritage.

The right mix o traditional methods o vineyard planting,pruning, processing and producing wine, together with a

avourable altitude and pristine environmental conditions,usually ensures yields o the highest quality wine. The pim-nice o this region were built o pure stone and dug one metredeep, in order to accommodate several 5000-litre barrels.Built in the second hal o the 18th century, the Rajac pimniceare located near the village o Rajac.

The piminice are unique in that they represent Serbia’ssmall stone town o wine, or as it is called – Serbian St. Ste-an. The piminice are so popular that several domestic lmswere shot here. I you are intrigued and want to see more,head to nearby Rogljevo, Smedovac, Štubik and Tamnič,which eature several large pimnice.

Explore this area urther and discover the ancient Roman-period sites o Vrelo Šarkamen and Ad Akvas. The nearbyVratna Monastery is located close to the River Jabuka. This

beautiul monastery eatures several stone gates that havebeen contorted by natural elements over the years. The gatesare known as Veliki Prerast, Mali Prerast and Suvi Prerast.

A cornucopia o rivers and orests surround the beautiulVratna complex, which is one o the most attractive spots inthis region. The Stevanske meadows are some o the mostscenic air spas in Serbia and are also popular with local hunt-ers. Badnjevo Hill in the vicinity o Negotin is a avourite ex-cursion site or locals in the area.

T O B McpyMš Pjd 19, 19210 BT: +381 30 459 020E-: @p.,[email protected]..

T O N McpyVjvd Mšć 25, 19300 NT: +381 19 547 555E-: @.cwww...



43. ZAJEČAR, BOLJEVAC

Rich Nature’s

ZAJEČAR – SIGHTSZaječar is located at the conuence o the Crni Timok and

Beli Timok rivers. The town, which is 250 kilometres rom Bel-grade via highways E-75 and E-761, lies just 11 kilometres romSerbia’s border with Bulgaria.

Though it lies in the heart o the Timočka Krajina regionand is the largest town in the area, Zaječar is a relativelyyoung town. It became part o the principality o Serbia in1833 and, thanks to the diligence o its inhabitants and its er-tile land rich in orchards and vineyards, very soon became thecountry’s second most prosperous town ater Belgrade.

Zaječar is the homeland o amous Serbian gures NikolaPašić, Ljuba Didić, Zoran Radmilović and Hajduk Veljko. Sve-tozar Marković, a revolutionary and key proponent o social-ism in the Balkans, was also born here.

There are several prominent sites you should see i you arevisiting the town. The beautiul Radul-Bey residence on LjubeNešića Street is the traditional house o a wealthy amily romthe early 19th century. You can purchase a variety o tradi-tional regional souvenirs on the ground oor o the building.Make certain to stop by the permanent (Old) Stari Zaječar ex-hibit on the rst oor. The Zaječar National Museum is alsoworth visiting and eatures a wide range o excavations romthe Gamzigrad archaeological site, including the head o theGalerius statue.

Stroll through the town centre and discover the extraordi-narily beautiul High School and 1911 Municipal Seat buildings.The main square, named ater Yugoslav Prime Minister Niko-la Pašić, eatures a monument by sculptor Antun Augustinčićdedicated to the victims o the 1912–1918 wars.

– A visit to the Zaječar National Museum– Taking photos at the Felix Romuliana Palace– Collecting herbs on Mount Rtanj

WE RECOMMEND:

ACTIVITIESZaječar is home to a number o estive events

throughout the year. These include the Gitarijadainternational youth guitar estival, which hasbecome one o the most popular music events

in Serbia, Theatre Days o Zoran Radmilović,the Summer School o Philosophy and Days o Hajduk Veljko.

Explore beyond Zaječar and discover the Su-vodol Monastery in the Selačka area near Ma-

nastirska Glama Mountain. According to olklegend, the monastery is closely connected to

Tsar Lazar. Some say the monastery bears a strongresemblance to Žiča Monastery. The nearby St. Peter

and Paul Monastery, close to Grlišta, was one o thecentres o the Crna Reka uprising.

Gamzigradska Banja spa is located 11 kilometres rom Zaječarand eatures a number o hot springs and sports acilities. Head

eight kilometres to north and you will nd the Nikoličevo ther-mal spring. Though research has suggested the springs herehave therapeutic benets, a spa has yet to be built. Neverthe-less, the site draws a great number o visitors every year.

Zaječar Municipality has three scenic manmade lakes.Though the Grliško Lake was created to supply the town withdrinking water, it eventually became a popular excursion spot.Rgotsko Lake was ormed by underground water and rain thatcollected during excavations o quartz in the village o Rgotina11 kilometres rom Zaječar.



Gifts

BELGRADE

43.

The ruins o the Felix Romuliana Palace are lo-cated in Gamzigrad not ar rom Zaječar. RomanEmperor Galerius named the palace in memory o

his mother Romula. The structure is consideredone o the most grandiose achievements o Ro-man architecture and historians believe EmperorGalerius’s remains were cremated and placed inthe nearby tumulus.

GAMZIGRAD

T O ZjčSvz Mkvć 2, 19000 ZjčT: +381 19 421 521E-: [email protected].

T O Bjvc McpyKj Akd 17/1, 19370 BjvcT: +381 30 463 593E-: [email protected].

BOLJEVAC ACTIVITIESBoljevac Municipality eatures the beautiul Crni Timok

River Valley between the Kučaj, Rtanj, Tumba, Slemen andTupižnica mountains.

Rtanj Mountain is a genuine oasis or nature lovers that it iseasy to all in love with. I you are an outdoor sports enthusi-ast, this is the perect place or you. The mountain is ideal orree climbing, mountaineering, hunting and shing. I you arehiking on the ridges o Rtanj Mountain, you can easily spot thesurrounding Jastrebac, Malinik and Kučaj mountains, as well agood part o the Boljevac region.

Rtanj also boasts a variety o herbs and is a avourite spotor herbalists. The amous Rtanj tea is made rom the nativeviolet that grows here and can only be ound in the centralpart o the mountain when it blooms in August. Herbalistsrom all over Europe come here to gather it.

I you are visiting Mount Rtanj it is worth stopping at themid-14th-century Lozica Church, located on one o its ridges.

The 1501 Lapušnja Monastery and Church o St. Elijah in Bolje-vac are also worth visiting.



44. SOKOBANJA

Restorative Thermal

– A stroll through Soko Grad– A drink rom one o Jošanica’s ountains– A visit to the Ripljanka Waterall

WE RECOMMEND:

SOKOBANJA – SIGHTSSokobanja lies 30 kilometres rom Aleksinac and is acces-

sible via road and rail routes rom Belgrade (235 kilometres) to-wards Niš, Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Sokobanja was Serbia’srst ecologically oriented municipality, with tourism and agri-culture comprising most o its economic activities.

The municipality is located beside the River Moravica be-tween Ozren and Rtanj Mountains, some 400m above sea lev-el. Today Sokobanja is one o the most popular spas in Serbia.Its ideal climate and restorative thermal and mineral springsare among some o the best in this part o Europe.

Sokobanja has attracted visitors or over 150 years. Thespa’s healing medicinal springs appeal to those suering romchronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, psychoneurosis, highblood pressure, chronic rheumatism, exhaustion and a num-ber o other ailments. You can also certainly come here i youin perect health. Take the opportunity to relax and breathe inthe cool mountain air.

Though Sokobanja has been popular since ancient times,it was Prince Miloš Obrenović who developed the spa into amodern town. He built a konak residence, a Serbian Ortho-dox Church, a Turkish hamam bathroom and ountain in thetown centre. Visit Sokobanja to see these structures that arestill standing.

The beautiul Turkish hamam is still in use and you can takea tour o the beautiul Milošev konak. Traditional village resi-dences surround the quaint 1884 church. Stroll through thetown centre and see the National Museum, which is housed ina traditional building typical to this region o Serbia.

The town was named ater Soko Grad (Town) Fortress,which is located two kilometres rom the centre o the spa near

the River Moravica. Built in the late Middle Ages on the site o ancient Roman remains, the ortress is perched on a spectacu-lar cli.

Sokobanja resembles a large lush park and its most beauti-ul part is undoubtedly the Čuka Dva Forest. There are two re-habilitation centres on the ridges o Ozren Mountain near theRipljanka Waterall, which is the tallest in Serbia. The nearbyarticial Bovan Lake is rich sh, boasting the most sh o anylake in Serbia.

ACTIVITIESThe temperature o the Sokobanja thermal springs ranges

rom 28 to 45 degrees Celsius. According to experts, the springs

emit gasses that are extremely benecial to the human body’srespiratory organs. Come and experience the restorative pow-ers o these springs or yoursel! Apart rom Sokobanja, you canvisit the nearby springs o Sonda Park, Bunar Preobraženje,Banjica Bazen I, Banjica II and Pijaca.

Some say that Nobel Prize winning novelist Ivo Andrić would



Springs

BELGRADE

44.

O C, Td Sp SkjT đj 2, 18230 SkjT: +381 18 833 988

E-: [email protected]..

T I C SkjT: +381 18 833 978, 833 988

Sokobanja has staged the International AccordionFestival every summer or the past ve decades.

Over the course o three days, accordion maestrosrom Serbia and the Diaspora come here to com-pete in seven categories. They include the young-est and oldest accordion players and duets. Thewinners o each category are announced duringa estive cultural and artistic programme on thethird day o the estival, which is also the Sokoban-

ja Day o Hot Springs.

ACCORDION

visit these springs every year, including the year he wrote theworld-amous Bridge on the Drina. Stevan Sremac, the writ-er who brought southern Serbia to lie through his work,also requented these springs. In act, he spent the last ewdays o his lie here. Writer Isidora Sekulić and geographer Jo-van Cvijić also visited Sokobanja, reerencing the spa in theirwork. Some seventy years ago well-known comedy writerBranislav Nušić, a regular guest to Sokobanja, penned theamous expression, “Sokobanja, Soko Grad, come here oldand leave young”.

There are a number o religious gures that appear in vari-ous nature spots around Sokobanja. The gure o the HolyMother o God and Christ is outlined in one o the clis onOzren Mountain. The small Armenian St. Archangel Churchappears in the relie o the mountain. Here you will also ndthe Hajduk Veljko Cave in the orest just o the road leadingto Soko Grad.

The Ascension o the Most Holy Mother o God Church,which is located in the vicinity o Sokobanja, eatures highlyunique rescoes: Jesus depicted as a child, a young man and,nally, as an adult.

The mountainous terrain surrounding Sokobanja and theLepterija excursion site are also worth visiting.

I you are in the area, make certain to stop at the village o Jošanice, which eatures several thermal springs. The high-light o the town is easily its ountain, which sources waterrom six dierent thermal springs!



45. NIŠ, NIŠKA BANJA, ALEKSINAC

Homeland of ConstantNIŠ – SIGHTS

The city o Niš lies on a ertile plain surrounded by mountainsat the conuence o the Nišava and Southern (Južna) Moravarivers, which comprise the two main river travel routes in theBalkans. Since ancient times these routes have led to Soa,

Constantinople (Istanbul) and Thessaloniki. The two water-ways merge near Niš beore continuing to Belgrade and on toCentral Europe. Niš is 238 kilometres rom Belgrade via a directhighway link. Sometime beore the birth o Christ, the Romansconquered this town and named it Naissus. It is the birthplaceo Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and Niš ourishedduring his reign rom 312 to 337 AD. During the Middle Ages thisregion was part o Byzantium, Bulgaria and the Kingdom o Hungary. For almost 400 years thereater Niš ell under Turk-ish rule. In the period rom 1719 to 1723 the Ottomans built Niš’samous ortress on the right bank o the River Nišava. Todaythe structure has been adapted to meet modern needs. TheArtistic Pavilion is now located in the 1857 Arsenal building,Salon 77 is inside the ormer Bali-Bey Mosque and the Pasha’sresidence now houses an administrative ofce. The ancient

– A drink at one o Niš’s Kujundžijsko sokače caes– Admiring the mosaics at the Mediana archaeological site– A taste o Aleksinac’s delicious ćevapčići

WE RECOMMEND:

pr is- on isn o w h o m eto the Niš Investiga-tion Centre. In 1975 theCity erected a large stage in one part o the ortress and today it is the venue or the Festival o TheatreAchievement, several choir estivals and the Nisomnia Sum-mer Music Festival. The city has developed along the let banko the river since the 14th century and there are ve main roadsthat branch out rom the city centre’s Liberation Square. At theend o the 14th century a mosque was built on this bank o theNišava and a large open space was created when the mosquewas later demolished. This space eventually became the citysquare and soon blossomed into a lively pedestrian zone ea-turing a number o beautiul buildings. Built in the 1960s, thecity centre’s Hotel Ambasador was Niš’s rst high-rise building.Stroll to the centre o the square and you will nd the monu-ment by Antun Augustinčić dedicated to the liberators o Niš.You will also discover a beautiul building in the direction o theriver and central park that is used by the city’s mayor. ObrenovićStreet, which was once a covered bazaar, is now the city’s maincommercial street. It stretches rom the central square to thesouthern parts o the city. This vibrant street is now a pedes-trian zone dotted with an array o shops, caes and restaurants.Enjoy a Kujundžijsko sokače brass band at one o the caes here.

Explore urther and discover the beautiul Stambolijski Fam-ily Residence, one o the most stunning examples o Turkishresidential architecture. Today the building is home to a popularrestaurant. The Niš Orthodox Church is located on the southernoutskirts o the old town in a ormer Christian neighbourhoodknown as Crkvena mala. Ćele kula (Skull Tower) is easily one o Niš’s most important sights. Located two kilometres rom thecentre o town, it was erected ollowing a gory battle at Čegarbetween the Serbian army and the Ottoman Turks. Ater thebattle Turkish Commander Hushid-pasha ordered his soldiersskin every head o a allen Serbian soldier, ll it with hey, sendit to the Sultan o Istanbul and stack the skulls into a towerwhich would serve as a permanent warning to the Serbian peo-ple. O the total 852 skulls that were used to build the tower,



ine the Great

BELGRADE

45.

T O NšVžd Kđđ 7, 18000 NšT: +381 18 521 321, 523 118, 524 877, 250 222E-: [email protected].,[email protected]...

T I C Nšk BjSđćv 3B, 18205 Nšk BjT: +381 18 4548 588

O T d Sp„OTIS“ – AkcDš Tvc 54, 18220 AkcT: +381 18 804 025E-: [email protected].

The Holy Trinity Temple in Gornji Adrovac near

Aleksinac was erected on the very spot whereColonel Rayevski was killed. The character Vron-sky in Tolstoy’s Ana Karenina novel was based onRayevski and some believe he was also buriedhere at one time.

VRONSKY

58 are preserved today. Venture out o town in the direction o Niška Banja and discover the renowned Mediana archaeologi-cal site. Built by Constantine the Great as his summer residencein around 330AD, the remains o the palace include a baptistery,granary, thermaes and pagan temple. You will see some o themost extraordinary mosaics here. These stunning works depictgorgons, Medusa and the God o Water, as well as a range o beautiul geometric patterns.

NIŠKA BANJA ¬ACTIVITIESFor centuries suerers o cardiac and cardiovascular diseases,

rheumatism and sciatica have ocked to Niška Banja spa, whichlies 10 kilometres rom the city at the oot o Mount Koritnik.Radon thermal springs, which have an average water tempera-ture o 37 degrees Celsius, were renowned during the Romanand Byzantine times. The opening o a tramline connecting thespa to Niš greatly boosted its development between WWI andWWII. The spa contains peloid, a natural therapeutic mud rec-ommended or suerers o rheumatism. Another spa, Banja To-pilo, lies 25 kilometres rom Niš. I you are a nature enthusiast,head to the spectacular 17-km-long Sićevačka Gorge and RiverNišava. The area is dotted with more than 30 churches andmonasteries. Thanks to its extraordinary beauty, the area hasreceived special status as a nature resort. The Jelašnička Can-yon, which also enjoys this special status, is just 15 kilometresaway.

ALEKSINAC – SIGHTSThe River Moravica joins the Southern Morava at Aleksinac,

which is 30 kilometres rom Niš via Highway E-75 towards Bel-grade. Interestingly, Aleksinac was the rst town to be con-nected to Belgrade by telegraph. Traces o ancient civilisationsare evident at every corner here. Explore the town’s surround-ings and you will discover several amazing ortresses, includingBolvan, Petrus, Lipovac, Gradac, Kulina and Korman. Accordingto historical records, Aleksinac was one o the most prominenttowns in the area during the rule o Prince Miloš Obrenović. Its

rich traditions, resources and architecture are still evidenthere today. I you are visiting the area it is worth stopping atDeligrad, the site o several battles and victories during theFirst Serbian Uprising against the Turks.

ACTIVITIESThe people here are proud o their customs and have

worked hard to preserve them. Since 1965 Aleksinac hasstaged the Old watermill on the River Morava event. EverySeptember the town o Rutevac hosts the Convention o thePaprika, while Bakers’ Day takes place every October. Alek-sinac is also known or preparing the perect ćevapčići, a localgrilled minced meat delicacy.



46. KNJAŽEVAC, SVRLJIG

A Toast to

KNJAŽEVAC – SIGHTSThe town o Knjaževac was built on the conuence o the

Svrljiški and Trgoviški Timok rivers, which together orm theRiver Beli Timok (White Timok). Knjaževac is located o the Niš–Zaječar motorway and is 40 kilometres rom Zaječar and 173 ki-lometres rom Belgrade.

According to historical records, there once was a Roman set-tlement here called Timacum Maius (Big Timok). The name Gur-gusovac rst appeared in the 17th century and the settlementwas known or the Gurgusovac Tower, which Prince Aleksan-dar Karađorđević used as a prison or political oenders. WhenAleksandar ed in 1869, Prince Miloš had the tower burned tothe ground in an eort to do away with this symbol o previ-ous power. The inhabitants o Gurgusovac renamed their town

Knjaževac in honour o Prince Miloš.Today the old part o the town is known as Cigan mala (the

T O Kjžvc McpyMš Oć 1, 19350 KjžvcT: +381 19 735 230, 730 988E-: [email protected]..

T I C KjžvcKjz Mš 37, 19350 KjžvcT: +381 19 735 230, 730 988

Roma quarter). Though it is a vibrant and modern neigh-bourhood brimming with artisan and commercial shops, itstill preserves the authentic architecture and spirit o oldentimes.

The stone bridge in Knjaževac was built in 1913 andis one o the key symbols o the town. Visitors enjoy

photographing the bridge with the old town and av-enue o chestnut trees in the background. The towncentre lies on the banks o the Svrljiški Timok River. The

picturesque Ace Stanojevića Street aces the river and isdotted with colourul houses and bridge motis. The streetruns parallel to Nemanjina Street, where you will nd thetown museum located in the ormer home o Aca Stanojević,one o the leaders o the Timok rebellion. The interior o

Knjaževac’s late 19th-century town hall has beencompletely preserved.

Stroll to the other side o the riverbank and youwill discover the National Museum, which is locat-

ed in the luxurious 1906 home o the Sibinović am-ily. I you are in the town centre you will see the amous

Džervin Villa. This beautiul house, owned by Đoko Cvetković,was built to replicate the villas o a Czech spa.

You will nd the oldest vineyards in the region on Džervinhill. The Knjaževac vineyards grow autochthonous grape va-rieties, including prokupac, vranac and plovdin. The ownerso the vineyards also host an annual Smoked Ham, Wine andCheese Fair. The Knjaževac Wine Fair takes place every May.

The village o Donja Kamenica is 15 kilometres south o Knjaževac. Mihailo, a Bulgarian estate owner, built thetown church at the start o the 14th century. The west sideo the church is adorned with two unusual spiked towersthat shield the view o the dome behind them. The beautiulrescoes here depict the church’s patron with his amily and

saints riding horses.

Explore urther and discover the Gornja Kamenica villageand monastery. Despot Lazar, son o Đurađ Branković, builtthis simple, unadorned and unpainted structure.

Eight kilometres rom Knjaževac, the village o Ravna is

home to Timacum Minus, a Roman Era archaeological site.



Džervin W ine

BELGRADE

46.

Svrljig’s Kamiondžije (Trucker) Restaurant iswell known or serving sausage and pork steakby the metre. I you are hungry or some tradi-tional ood, Svrljig ofers a range o delectable

cuisine, including roast lamb. Stop by one o the town’s restaurants to discover they eaturean epithet o the town tavern, a plaid tableclothand a estive old-time atmosphere.

ONE-METRE SAUSAGE

– Sampling some delicious wine in the village o Ravna– Tasting some delicious sausage at the Kamiondžije Restaurant in Svrljig

– An excursion to Balta Berilovac

WE RECOMMEND:

Here you will nd excavated monuments, tombstones and an-cient residences. Stroll through Ravna and you will discover asmall wine museum. The village is also known or its collectiono double threaded woollen socks. Along with Ravna, the othervillages o the Timok Valley are well known or their well-pre-served traditions and motis.

ACTIVITIESI you need to rest and unwind, head to one o Knjaževac’s

two amous spas: Rgoška Banja and Bazen Banjica. Relax inthe soothing hot waters o the spas, which also include a rangeo amenities and sports acilities.

Tupižnica is located on the outskirts o Knjaževac and marksthe highest point in the vicinity o the town. Locals oten comehere or excursions and, as an area rich in game, it is a popularspot or hunters.

Every May the village o Balta Berilovac, which lies 35 kilo-metres rom Knjaževac, is home to the Molitva pod Midžorom

(Prayer under Midžor Mountain) event, which consists o vari-ous rituals and regional customs. Visit the village and discoverthe beautiul watermill on its creek.

Knjaževac is renowned or its traditional cheese-makingmethods and cheeses rom this region are well known through-out Serbia and beyond.

SVRLJIG – SIGHTSThe small town o Svrljig lies on the Knjaževac–Niš mo-

torway between Svrljig Mountain and the town o Tresibabaon the River Timok. Svrljig’s economy and administration arelargely dependent on Niš and the surrounding area is part o

the larger Svrljig Timok River basin.

The Svrljig Valley is one o the most important passagewaysbetween the Carpathian Mountains and the rest o the region’smountains. The area is a popular spot or local shermen andthis scenic area oers a range o possibilities or the urther de-velopment o mountain and rural excursions.



47. PIROT, STARA PLANINA

Traditional Rugs andPIROT – SIGHTS

Nestled between the Pannonian basin in the Danube RiverValley and the Timok basin at the eastern edge o Europe, Pirotis located at the heart o the Balkans. This beautiul area, whichis one o Serbia’s largest municipalities, is halway between Niš

and Soa in the Nišava River Valley.The ancient settlement o Tures (Latin or towers) was rstcited in the Tabula Peutingeriana, a 4th century Roman map,and today comprises the area o contemporary Pirot. Theoriginal settlement was established to control and protect themain road in this part o the Empire and travellers would stopto rest and change horses and carriages. Since Tures was notmentioned again in the centuries that ollowed, very little isknown about the region during that time.

It was not until the 15th century that written records reer-encing Pirot began to appear. The town was originally knownas Pirgos, which originates rom Greek. Several dierentarmies conquered the region and, judging by the architectureo the monasteries in the region, Pirot was part o Serbia’s Ste-an Nemanja state. In 1877 it was liberated ater more than ve

centuries o Turkish occupation.

Explore Pirot and you will discover the Pirot Fortress perchedon a hill overlooking the city. Some believe the ortress oncebelonged to Duke Momčilo, as described in an epic poem. Thewalled ortress, once called Momčilov Grad (Momčilo’s Town),was in use rom the 14th century until the end o WWII.

The River Nišava divides Pirot into two parts: Pazar, on thelet bank o the river, was a mixed community o Turks andSerbs: Tijabara, on the right bank, was an exclusivelySerb community. I you visit the areayou will discov- e rthe two neigh-

– Observing the work o a Pirot weaver – Sampling some delicious cheese and Vurda (a type o cream cheese with

peppers) on Stara Planina Mountain– Marvelling at the view rom Babin kuk (Grandma’s hip)

WE RECOMMEND:

bourhoods each have an orthodox church dating back to theperiod o Turkish rule. The oldest, built in 1834, is in Pazar.The church in Tijabara dates back to 1869. Interestingly, bothchurches eature icons that are believed to have healing pow-ers.

The 1848 House o Hristić is located in Tijabara. One o themost beautiul 19th-century Balkan townhouses, it has been

converted into the Museum o the Nišava River Valley. Visit themuseum and marvel at the rich collection o traditional cos-tumes, Pirot rugs and pottery. Just a ew steps away you willnd the beautiul Bela Mačka (White Cat) building, named a-ter the tavern that once stood on the same site. Stroll downSrpskih vladara Street, once part o the road heading to Con-stantinople (Istanbul), and discover several stunning struc-tures built ollowing the end o Turkish occupation. Walk downDragoljub Milenković Street and you will discover the 1907 highschool and the L-shaped town court building.

ACTIVITIESPirot’s rug making tradition dates back several centuries.

The locals specialise in making these original woven rugs,which were highly valued by the Turks. Sheep arming was akey actor in the development o the rug industry in Pirot. Thehigh quality wool used to create the rugs is sourced locally. Asopposed to the Persian rug, the Pirot rug is silky on both sides,eatures contrasting colours, patterns and shapes. Red is theprevailing colour o most o Pirot’s rugs. The various patternshave specic names, including gugtce na direci (turtledoves onpillars), zvezda (star), đulovi (round owers), venci (wreaths),bombe (bombs) and grozdovi (clusters o grapes). The weavingprocess is quite laborious. The weaver assumes a sitting posi-tion to create the rugs on the Pirot loom. I you visit Pirot make

certain to take the opportunity to observe this centuries-oldtradition.



STARA PLANINA – SIGHTSThe national border between Serbia and

Bulgaria is ormed by the natural boundaryo Stara Planina Mountain. This hundred-ki-lometre stretch rom Zaječar to Pirot arches

slightly beore it continues on to Bulgariaand this old mountain is also known as theBalkan Mountain, which inspired the nameo the peninsula.

The area surrounding the mountain isrich in sediment rom various periods inhistory. The Bigar Spring Valley ollows theTemštica, while the Midžor and Babin Zub(Grandmother’s tooth) mountains are lo-cated nearby. The eye-shaped Jelovička spring is the largest in the region and eatures a small pool.

More than 1190 plant species have been identied on Stara Planina, making it one o the most important regional centres o na-tive plant species. Specic plants include the krilasti zvončić (winged bell) and the Pančić common groundsel, which grows onlyon Stara Planina. The mountain bog can be ound on Jabučko plateau, Babin Zub Mountain and the territory o Arbinje.

There are 116 species o butteries, 18 species o amphibians and

reptiles, 203 species o birds and over 30 species o mammals onStara Planina. The mountain is the natural habitat o the long-legged buzzard, skylark and woodcock. The Stara Planina II hunt-ing ground, which stretches across 40408 hectares, is located onthe southeast side o this mountain. It is rich in deer, roe deer, wildboar, bear, wol, rock partridge and wild wood pigeon.

Explore beyond Stara Planina and discover a number o culturalmonuments in the area. These include the 14th-century St. Johnthe Theologian Monastery and the 16th-century St. George Mon-astery. Zavojsko Lake and the rivers Visočica and Toplodolska areall well stocked with trout and are ideal or shing.

The cheese rom Stara Planina and Pirot is renowned across the

region. It is made rom sheep’s milk and produced according to a

local tradition. Vurda is a type o cream cheese made rom sourmilk that is ermented or a month and mixed with peppers. Vurdais one the region’s top quality dairy products. Sample these deli-cious dairy delicacies or yoursel!

I you are looking or a place to relax, head to the popularZvonačka Banja spa 30 kilometres rom Pirot, which enjoys idealclimate conditions.

The nearby Asenovo Kale Cli is the one place in Serbia whereyou can still see the nest o a golden eagle.

their Secrets

BELGRADE

47.

T O P McpySpkh vd 77, 18300 PT: +381 10 320 838, 320 839E-: [email protected]

The 13th-century St. Peter and PaulChurch is located inside a cave in KamikHill not ar rom the village o Rsovci.This exquisite church, 22 kilometres romPirot near Stara Planina Mountain, isknown or its unique resco o Christ de-picted as a bald young man on its northwall.

CHRIST



48. VLASOTINCE, BABUŠNICA, DIMITROVGRAD AND

The Enchanting

VLASOTINCE – SIGHTSVlasotince Municipality is located in southeast Serbia at

the conuence o the Vlasina and Great Morava rivers near

Suva Planina Mountain. Situated in the eastern part o theLeskovac Valley, Vlasotince is just ve kilometres rom the Bel-grade–Skopje Highway, 294 kilometres rom Belgrade.

Historical records rst cite Vlasotince in the 16th century.I you are visiting the town, a stop at the National museum,which eatures some o the most unique 16th to 19th centu-ry graphic art, is a must! Apart rom the museum, the townhas a rich array o cultural and historical monuments, includ-ing Giga House, which today houses the Town Library, thePopović Mill and the Sokolski Centre. The old market and me-morial graveyard are exceptionally well preserved and authen-tic. Stroll down to the River Vlasina and you will come acrossa monument honouring the soldiers o WWI and the Balkanwars.

ACTIVITIESVlasotince specialises in winemaking and the city’s wine

producers established a cooperative in 1923 that today com-prises producers rom the towns o Dadince, Šišava, Donja

T O Dvd

Bkk 7, 18320 DvdT: +381 10 360 873E-: dvd@p.,[email protected]..

Lomnica and Skrapež.For more than 45 years the town has organised the Wine Ball

event, which is dedicated to wine production in this region. Thisestive gathering, which takes place each August on the bankso the River Vlasina near the Nešić quay, includes the crowningo the Goddess o wine and the Prince o the estival by the In-dependent Principality o Vlasotince. I you are visiting during

the event, you will have several opportunities to sample someo the best wine the local vineyards have to oer. There is alsoplenty o entertainment, culminating with a parade eaturingthe Prince o the estival. The Wine Ball also eatures an artists’colony whose motis are always grapes and wine.

Explore beyond Vlastonice and discover the mountains o Suva Planina, Čemernik and Čobanac. This scenic splendoureatures diverse ora and auna. Come here to enjoy exception-ally rereshing mountain air!

BABUŠNICA – SIGHTSBabušnica Municipality neighbours Pirot and Bela Palanka

municipalities to the north, the Bulgarian border to the east,

the Vlasotince and Crna Trava municipalities to the southand Gadžin Han to the west. Babušnica is located on the E-9Highway (Leskovac to Pirot), which connects to highways E-75and E-80. Babušnica lies at the heart o the Lužnica River Val-ley, which has an altitude o 520 m. This pleasant town on theridges o Stara Planina is well known or the Komarički water-alls and watermills scattered around the springs o the RiverLužnica. A dam is currently being built close to the Skokovi wa-teralls which will create a manmade lake on the River Raljin-ska, a tributary o the River Murgovića. When completed, thelake will measure 200 metres in length and will undoubtedlyoer plenty o un and recreation.



CRNA TRAVA

Allure of Nature

BELGRADE

48.

– A visit to the Vlasotince Principality – Admiring the icons o St. John the Theologian Monastery – Fishing on the small rivers o Crna Trava

WE RECOMMEND:

The most stunning eature o the Birth o the

Most Holy Mother o God Church in Dimitro-vgrad is its iconostasis. Artists rom the Samo-kovska School crated this beautiul piece rombox wood using the lace method.

LACE

ACTIVITIESZvonačka Banja spa, which lies 28 kilometres east o

Babušnica, is a popular tourist destination. The spa is lo-cated at an altitude o 680m and oers beautiul moun-tain scenery. Come here to relax and take advantage o thespa’s healing waters.

DIMITROVGRAD – SIGHTS Just ve kilometres rom the Bulgarian border, Dimitro-

vgrad has had many dierent names over the years andprior to WWII was known as Caribrod.

This picturesque town eatures plenty o beautiul na-ture spots and with a wealth o cultural and historicalmonuments. Wander through the town and visit the Birtho the Most Holy Mother o God Church, built in 1892 andreconstructed in 1997 by the citizens o Dimitrovgrad. Justoutside the town you will nd the St. Dimitrije Church,also known as Manastirče, which was reconstructed in1996. There is a winter sports acility here that is a avourite

excursion spot or Dimitrovgrad locals.

ACTIVITIESThe St. John the Theologian Monastery, known as Po-

ganovski Monastery, lies 15 kilometres rom Dimitrovgradin the Jerma River Valley. The monastery was built at theend o the 14th century during the Turkish invasion, just asareas o Serbian rule were slowly disappearing.

The Moravian style structure is made o broken brown-

stone and limestone. Though the monastery’s patron remainsunknown, experts o Byzantine art concur that the icons hereare some o the most valuable in the world. The most exquisiteare the Miracle in Latom and Christ Pieta icons. The monasteryhas enjoyed state protection since 1949 and since 1979 has ap-peared on the list o world cultural heritage sites.

CRNA TRAVA – SIGHTSThe small town o Crna Trava has a population o 2,500 and is

43 kilometres rom Vlasotince. It is not surprising that the townwas once known as Vilin Lug (Fairy’s Grove), since splendid na-ture spots surround the town. It eatures a manicured town cen-tre and several beautiul bridges across the River Vlasina.

Crna Trava has always taken advantage o its beautiul sur-roundings and even when it was a monastery metochion it en-

joyed complete autonomy and received town status long beoremany o its larger neighbours.

Overall the town’s lush hundred-year-old orest, numeroustrout-rich rivers and hospitable people make Crna Trava an ideal

getaway.



49. LESKOVAC, LEBANE, BOJNIK

Masters of theLESKOVAC – SIGHTS

The City o Leskovac is located on the River Veternica, not arrom its conuence with the Southern Morava. It borders themunicipalities o Doljevac, Gadžin Han, Vlasotince, Vranje andKosovska Kamenica. Leskovac is 45 kilometres rom Niš and

298 kilometres rom Belgrade.In the mid-12th century, Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Kom-nenos handed over this region to Stean Nemanja, though theOttoman Turks captured the city in 1454 and made it the seato their sandžak (district). Leskovac developed into an impor-tant trade city in the 18th century. In 1877 the city underwent asudden transormation ollowing its liberation rom the Turks.Capitalising on its hemp growing and production, Leskovacdeveloped a robust textile industry. Between WWI and WWIIproducts made in the city were sold across the world and, as aresult, Leskovac became known as the Manchester o Serbia.

Though most o the town centre was rebuilt in the mod-ern style ollowing WWII, there are still a ew buildings on themain street whose size and beauty are reminiscent o the gold-en age o Leskovac. The old house o Šop-Đokić is located on

Liberation Boulevard and eatures a splendid, wide courtyard.This structure, a prime example o 19th century urban archi-tecture, today houses the Tourism Organisation o Leskovac. I you stroll past Šop-Đokić house you will notice the town’s Oldand New churches. The Old Church, Crkva odžaklija (ChimneyChurch) dates back to the start o the 19th century and has a

– A visit to (Caričin grad) Empress Town– A visit to Odžaklija, the Old Chimney Church in

Leskovac – A meal o Leskovački voz, a grilled meat speciality, at one

o the local restaurants in Leskovac

WE RECOMMEND:

very unusual history. Because the Turks orbade the localsrom building a church here, the people announced they werebuilding a house or the priest, even adding a non-unctioningchimney to make it appear more convincing. Six steps leaddown to the area underneath the church’s arcades, indicatingthe depth o the structure. The interior is very dark, with justa ew streams o light seeping through a ew small windows.

Next door the New Church is the architectural opposite o the Old Church. This ve-dome structure eatures splendiddecorations inspired by a variety o styles rom Serbian medi-eval heritage. The church was erected in 1931 with the help o

Jacques Conn, a amous doctor and prolic writer who wasdubbed the Serbian Chekhov.

Leskovac is steeped in a rich cultural and historical heri-tage. The villages in the area boast numerous remnants dat-ing back to the Neolithic period and the Middle Ages. The vil-lage o Skobaljić on Kukavica Mountain just above VučjankaCanyon is a perect example o this.

The Textile Industry Museum in Strojkovac showcases thedetermination o the people o Leskovac to succeed in textileproduction. You will nd the museum on the road betweenLeskovac and Vučje. The 1902 Power Plant, today a museum,

is a beautiul 19th-century building on the River Vučjanka thatstill generates power. The monumental Cathedral Church o the Holy Trinity was modelled ater Gračanica Monastery inKosovo. The church’s holy day coincides with Leskovac’s saintsday (slava). Nearby Rudar is home to the St. Petka Temple,whose origins are unknown. Parts o an early Christian basili-



nival to showcase traditional olk music and dance. It in-cludes doodle, a ritual song and dance perormed by girlsduring the dry summer season, and koledare, songs usuallyperormed by men visiting village homes during ChristmasEve, as well as an array o olk dances.

LEBANE – SIGHTSLebane is located in the Jablanica District 27 kilometres

rom Leskovac. The town was established in 1878 next to thevillage o the same name. Today Lebane is a small and pleas-ant town that oers ideal areas or hiking and recreation.

(Caričin grad) Empress Town is situated six kilometresrom Lebane. Its name is associated with the ancient towno Justiniana Prima, named ater Justinian, the Eastern Ro-man Emperor born in the nearby village o Taurezium. Thearea is an archaeological site that spreads across severalhectares and includes a ortied upper city (acropolis) andlower city. The acropolis, the highest point o the city, is alsothe site o the ruins o a cathedral church. To the East, theCrypt Basilica was used or the burial o important church

dignitaries. Evidence discovered at the site suggests that Justinian wanted to build a large city here.

BOJNIK – SIGHTSBojnik lies on the River Pusta approximately 20 kilome-

tres north o Leskovac. A very old settlement whose econ-omy is based on agriculture and ruit production, particu-larly grape growing, the ancient city o Kosturan was oncelocated near Bojnik. The village’s main square eatures amonument that honours the 500 people, mostly children,women and the elderly, who were killed here by Germanoccupiers during a one-day massacre in February 1942. TheBrestovac Accumulation Lake is located just outside the city.

Skara Barbecue

BELGRADE

49.

Every year see contestants at Leskovac’s RoštiljijadaBarbecue Festival compete to see who can makethe largest hamburger. The current record holder is

Dejan Cvetković. The hamburger he grilled in 2008weighed an astounding 45 kilograms and measured120 cm in diameter.

A PLJESKAVICA (HAMBURGER) FOR THE RECORDBOOKS

T O LkvcMkv , 16000 LkvcT: +381 16 233 360, Fx: +381 16 233 361E-: [email protected]...

T O L McpyC Dš 55, 16230 LT: +381 16 847 160E-: @.cwww...

Bjk McpyT d 1, 16250 BjkT: +381 16 821 139, x. 117, 821 214E-: .jk@v.,c@jk..

ca have also been preserved here. The ortied Hisar Hill, whichoverlooks Leskovac, is the site o the Monument and Memorialo the Unknown Hero, which honours those who died in WWII.

The area surrounding Leskovac is a nature lover’s dreamcome true. I you are looking or some beautiul scenery, head tothe Kukavica and Radan mountains. The Pašina česma, a greatexcursion spot, is accessible via Bojnik. Babička Forest eaturesa range o auna, while Brestovačko Lake (Radansko Lake) isbrimming with sh. The pristine Lake Borje on the River Vet-ernica near Kukavica Mountain is one kilometre wide and nine

kilometres long.

ACTIVITIESLeskovac has a tradition o red pepper production. In act,

it is one o the symbols associated with the town. Leskovac,however, is best known or its amous barbecue – skara, whichsees meat prepared on a specic type o grill used in this region.Though you can enjoy this culinary speciality throughout theyear, the best time to sample it is during the Roštiljijada Barbe-cue Festival, which takes place in Leskovac each September. Thebest grill ches rom across Serbia, Bulgaria and Macedonia con-gregate in Leskovac or the estival. The people o Leskovac havepatented their special recipe or the preparation o pljeskavica

(hamburger). The Leskovački voz (Leskovac train) is a amousspeciality that consists o various types o grilled meat served insmall portions with salad.

Leskovac Summer is another o the city’s estive events. Thisestival eatures activities or all age groups and lasts until theend o July. The people o Leskovac also organise their own car-



– A walk up Hisar Hill and to the St. Prokopije Church– A relaxing body treatment at Prolom Banja spa– A visit to the Đavolja Varoš rock ormations

WE RECOMMEND:

50. PROKUPLJE, KURŠUMLIJA

Exotic NaturalPROKUPLJE – SIGHTS

The town o Prokuplje is 250 kilometres rom Belgrade and31 kilometres southwest o Niš. Though this small town onthe River Toplica projects a modern air, archeological exca-vations have revealed remnants o ancient civilisations that

suggest settlements existed here as ar back as the seventhmillennium BC.

The St. Prokopije Church at the bottom o Hisar Hill is oneo the town’s most important sites. The temple’s core datesback to the 9th century, when it was a three-nave basilica.With subsequent rebuilding, it was transormed into a ve-nave basilica. The basilica is the resting place o St. Prokopije’sremains, which were brought here rom Niš. The town bearsthis saint’s name.

Explore Prokuplje urther and discover the remains o anancient temple and early Christian church. The Latin Church,known as the Jug-Bogdan Church, is near St. ProkopijeChurch. This 14th-century structure, which was modelled

ater a Roman sanctuary, is likely to have been dedicatedto Hercules. The inhabitants o Dubrovnik once had a largecommercial colony here and oten worshiped in this one-nave church. As a result, it came to be known as the LatinChurch.

A tragic event occurred in Prokuplje during WWI Whenthe massive Toplica rebellion took place during the Bulgarianoccupation o 1916. Some 20,000 people were slaughteredwhen the rebellion was ultimately crushed.

ACTIVITIESExcavations on the outskirts o the town date back several

centuries and reveal customs that can be traced to several cul-tures and civilisations. The Hisar Fortress, which consisted o a lower and upper town, is perched on Hisar Hill overlooking

the town. An extraordinary monument, it dates back to whenProkuplje was known as Hammemum. A river surrounds thesite on three sides. At one time this natural barrier was criticalto protecting the main road between the Morava River Valleyand Kosovo. The Turks conquered the ortress in 1454, during thesame period that they took over the city o Kruševac. The Jug-Bogdan Tower is the only structure that remains o the ortress.According to historical records, it once supplied water to thetown rom Toplice.

According to legend, the abled Jug-Bogdan, his wie and theirnine sons all hail rom Prokuplje. I you are visiting the town, youwill notice that many places are named ater him. Remains o old civilisations are on display in Prokuplje’s National Museum,located in the town square.

KURŠUMLIJA – SIGHTSKuršumlija lies 32 kilometres southeast o Prokuplje. Once

the site o the ancient Roman town o Ad Fines, Stean Ne-manja – oreather o the Nemanjić Dynasty – spent some timehere during the 12th century. Several members o this royal am-



Formations

BELGRADE

50.

T d Sp C PkpjZj Jv , 18400 PkpjT: +381 27 329 919www.cpk.c

T I C PkpjRk Pvvć 84, 18400 PkpjT: +381 27 329 901E-: cpk@.

T O Kšj McpyPh c 15, 18430 KšjT: +381 27 380 963, 385 881E-: [email protected].,@kj.

The Sijarinska Banja spa lies on the banks o theRiver Jablanica in southern Serbia. The spa ea-tures 18 mineral water springs ranging in tem-perature rom 32 to 72 degrees Celsius. Visitors

to the spa will notice its remarkable geyser, theonly one o its kind in Europe, which shoots hotwater eight metres into the air. The spa also ea-tures a geyser that erupts every ten minutes.

GEYSER

ily were canonised as saints and Nemanja built both the MostHoly Mother o God and St. Nicholas monasteries, which ea-tured lead roos that once glittered in the sun. The town bore thename o these churches or some time. It was also called Toplice,probably due to the mineral water springs that this region is a-mous or. The Turks eventually named the town Kuršumlija aterits lead-rooed churches.

The region is also known or the numerous legends originat-ing rom the River Radun, one o which proclaims that rivershere ow upstream.

ACTIVITIESThe village o Viče near Kuršumlija is the site o an ancient spa

sanatorium dating back to the third millennium BC. It is consid-ered the world’s oldest spa. In act, the area is dotted with beau-tiul spas, including Prolom Banja spa, which lies 23 kilometresrom Kuršumlija. This spa eatures a range o therapeutic min-eral waters and is one o Europe’s top spa destinations. Prolom’sbottled water is particularly eective or those suering rom

kidney and urinary tract inections.Lukovska Banja spa lies 35 kilometres rom Kuršumlija and is

a popular destination or suerers o rheumatism and spinal ail-ments. The thermo-mineral waters range in temperature rom59 to 69 degrees Celsius and ow at nearly 100 litres per second.

Visitors interested in seeing an unusual natural phenomenonshould head to Đavolja Varoš (Devil’s Town), which lies at thebase o Radan Mountain not ar rom Kuršumlija. This uniquerock ormation, which was a nominee or one o the seven won-ders o Nature, is comprised o 202 dierent rock pyramids (ortowers). These stone-capped towers, created by erosion, areapproximately 20 m high and are mostly grouped in rows. It isdifcult to know the exact number o towers at the site, as newones are continuously being created while old ones all away.Each pyramid tower has its own unique ever-changing shape.

Though there is a range o theories on how this incrediblerock ormation was created, two stand out in particular: onelegend claims that the towers are actually stone children who

outsmarted the Devil during a bet; the other claims that thetowers were ormed to prevent the Devil rom carrying out awedding ceremony between a brother and sister. To thwartthis sin, an otherworldly orce turned all the guests to stone.When the wind blows among these pyramids, it creates ahowling sound that contributes to its haunting atmosphere.

Đavolja Varoš is accompanied by two dierent naturalsprings. The rst, Đavolja voda (Devil’s Water), is highly acid-ic and possesses a signicant concentration o minerals. Thesecond natural spring is called Crveno Vrelo (Red Well).



51. SURDULICA, VLADIČIN HAN

Delightful Forests and

– A visit to the oating isle at Vlasinsko Lake– A drink rom the spring near St. Petka Church

(Latin Church)– Enjoying the sound o trumpet music during the Vlasinsko

Leto summer estival

WE RECOMMEND:

SURDULICA – SIGHTSSurdulica is located 348 kilometres south o Belgrade, just

10 kilometres rom the Highway E-75. The town dates backto the Roman era and its name originates rom the Vlachpeople o Surdulica. In the Middle Ages it was part o the Ser-bian Nemanjić state, while during Turkish rule Surdulica was

largely a mining community. It nally gained town status in1878.Today Surdulica is a modern town that eatures a beauti-

ul centre and developed inrastructure. One o its main ea-tures is a modern complex o swimming pools, while its ideallocation has made the city a popular air spa.

Surdulica is well known or its pure drinking water. It alsooers plenty o streams, rivers and lakes. Explore the areaand discover the River Vrla and its seven beautiul streams.The river also eatures two large shponds rich in trout. Troutis armed in one o the ponds and is used to stock VlasinskoLake as well as several nearby rivers.

ACTIVITIESVlasinsko Lake is 1200m above sea level and 12 kilometres

rom Surdulica. This manmade lake was created in 1949 withthe construction o a dam on the River Vlasina. Explore thearea around Vlasinsko Lake and discover stunning moun-tain peaks, clis, springs and rivers. The Palja Monastery and

The Vlasinsko Lake area is rich in diverse ora andauna. The humid air, extremely cold temperaturesand volcanic soil have created the perect conditionsor carnivorous plants and other rare auna. Head tothe oating isle at Vlasinsko Lake and discover themor yoursel!

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

church in the village o Božica lie on the banks o the lake. You willalso nd clusters o beautiul traditional villages in the area andthe tourist centre is located on the northeast banks o the lake.

VLADIČIN HAN – SIGHTSPerched on the Grdelica Cli, Vladičin Han is one o the newest

settlements in the area. The town was named ater a standalonehan (house) that once stood on the imperial road and oeredlodgings to caravans. A man known as Stephen the Greek builtthis 19th century han and later sold it to Skopje’s MetropolitanBishop Pajsije who renamed the house Vladičin Han (Bishop’sHouse). A settlement with the same name soon emerged aroundthe house.

In 1930 the town was home to approximately twenty mer-chants who exported cattle, apples and pears. It also eatured anumber o watermills and was home to a handul o cratsmen.



Sparkling Springs

BELGRADE

51.

T O Sdc Mcpy5. p 27, 17530 SdcT: +381 17 813 712E-: [email protected].

C C Acv,T d Lhp Vdč HNk T 2, 17510 Vdč HT: +381 17 473 824E-: [email protected]..

Today the town’s main economic activity is industrial ruitprocessing. This picturesque town is surrounded by moun-tains and lies at the conuence o the Vrla and SouthernMorava rivers.

ACTIVITIESThe Mrtvica village lies 14 kilometres rom Vladičin Han at

the Grdelica Cli exit. Visitors to the town will discover a beau-tiul 5th-century monastery o the same name. The monasteryis perched high on a plateau hardly larger than its base. Thestructure’s unusual shape is a result o various phases o con-struction. Take a ew minutes to marvel at the hand-paintedByzantine-style icons here.

Explore urther and discover the St. Elijah Monasteryand church in the village o Kacapun, just 13 kilometres romVladičin Han. This 13th-century structure also eatures hand-painted Byzantine icons.

The nearby ascetic St. Petka Church is eight kilometres romVladičin Han on the old road linking the town to Vranje. St.Petka is also known as the Latin Church, since many believe it

existed beore the arrival o Slavic tribes. The altar looks west-wards and the church eatures two openings: one side is linedwith candles, while the other overlooks a reshwater springbelieved to improve sight and heal headaches.



52. VRANJE, BUJANOVAC

The Hot BloodedVRANJE – SIGHTS

Located 35 kilometres rom the Macedonian border, Vranje isSerbia’s southernmost town. It is 345 kilometres rom Belgrade viaHighway E-75.

Anna Conmena rst reerences Vranje in 1093 in the amous

Alexiad, but it was King Milutin who annexed Vranje to the Serbianmedieval state in 1282, the same year he acceded to the throne.Vranje consequently became the centre o the local župa (a smalladministrative division).

Stroll through the centre o Vranje and you will nd the Ortho-dox Church o the Holy Trinity in the main square. Though complet-ed in 1841, its imposing size provoked a Turkish rebellion and it wasburnt to the ground. A new church was subsequently built on thesame site with a number o eatures and characteristics rom theold structure. The new building, however, was dug lower into theground and had lower domes with no openings and no belry. Ar-cades surround the structure on three sides. Local artists engravedthe iconostasis with ora and auna motis. The most prominentare the icons painted on the iconostasis in 1859 by Dičo Zogra, themost talented icon painter o the Vardar River Valley in Macedo-

nia at the time. A 1922 obelisk located in the square in ronto the churchyard is dedicated to the victims o theBulgarian occupation o WWI.

Stroll down Kralja Steana PrvovenčanogStreet and discover Baba Zlatina Street inthe old residential part o town. In accor-dance with Turkish custom, the areawas enclosed with high walls on allsides. This picturesque part o town isnamed in honour o the grandmothero amed local writer Bora Stanković.

Zlata’s and Bora’s house is lo-cated at 7 Baba Zlatina Street andtoday houses the Museum o BoraStanković, who put Vranje on the

world map with his novel and charac-ters like Koštana o the Impure Blood.A courtyard ull o owers, which wascharacteristic o Turkish towns, surroundsthe house where Bora was born in 1875. Thehouse was built 90years prior to Bora’s birth and isa Southern Moravian-style structure that eatures a large

T O Vj29. v 2, 17500 VjT: +381 17 417 545E-: [email protected].

T O Bjvc McpyKđđ Pvć 115, 17520 BjvcT: +381 17 651 013, Fx: +381 17 651 044E-: yc@jvc.

–Enjoying the view o Vranje romthe Markovo Kale ortress

–A visit to Vranje’s Beli Most (White Bridge)–An indulgent mud treatment at Bujanovačka Banja spa

WE RECOMMEND:

yard and is typical o a middle class amily

home o the time.Head down to Vranje’s busy pedestrianzone to discover Pasha’s residence on Pionir-

ska Street. The complex comprises two build-ings erected by Rai Bey Džinić in 1765 as his resi-

dence. Its architecture is representative o the period.The daughter o the last pasha sold it to the local metropol-itan bishop, who converted the building into Vranje’s rsthigh school in 1881.

The building’s ront residence, the selamluk, was re-served exclusively or men. It aces the street and was usedby the pasha and his male entourage. The sheltered rearresidence, the haremluk, was reserved or women. Today



South

BELGRADE

52.

Beli Most is located close to Liberty Square inVranje’s upper town. As stated in a plaque writ-ten in Arabic, this intricate bridge was built byAisha to compensate or her sins and those o her parents. According to legend, however,Aisha – a Muslim who ell in love with a Serb

named Stean – was accidentally killed by herather. He consequently built the bridge to markthis tragic event. The St. Nicholas Church, Vran-

je’s oldest temple, is located next to the bridge.The Bagaša, a noble 14th-century amily, builtthis beautiul structure.

BELI MOST

the ront residence is a National Museum that eatures a collec-tion o Roman excavations, medieval coins, traditional costumesand cratwork.

Vranje’s pedestrian zone ends at Republic Square, where youwill nd the 1878 monument honouring the liberators o Vranje.The piece is the work o sculptor Simeon Roksandić. However, themonument, which shares the unortunate destiny o the town,

was demolished twice. Look closely and you will notice that theSerbian soldier eatured in the monument is missing a hand. Vran-

je’s residents like him just the way he is and have lovingly namedhim Čika Mita.

Behind the monument you will nd the magnicent old Mu-nicipality Seat building. It is considered the best work o architectPetar Popović. Cross the town river and you will discover the 17thcentury hamam (Turkish bath).

Head our kilometres north o Vranje and discover the ruins o the Markovo Kale Fortress. Many people believe the ortress islinked to Marko Kraljević, the greatest hero o Serbian epic poetry.However, all that remains o the structure are a wall and two tow-

ers. Kale oers a beautiul view o Vranje.The Days o Vranje (Dani Vranja) event is the city’s most estive

celebration and takes place every year in September.Explore beyond Vranje and discover the Prohor Pčinjski Mon-

astery, which is 32 kilometres rom the city near the Macedonianborder. The monastery was dedicated to Slav Prohor, who spenthis ascetic days in this region.

Today the old church is located northwest o the new one. Hereyou will nd the relics o St. Prohor and beautiul 15th-century res-coes. The main building o the monastery residence is consideredone o the best examples o 18th-century olk architecture. In 1944Macedonian communists conerred here to pronounce Macedo-nia the Republic o a new Democratic Federal Yugoslavia.

ACTIVITIESThe hot, healing mineral waters o Vranjska Banja spa origi-

nate in the stony bed o the River Banjštica. The deciduous orest

along its banks protects the valley rom the harsh mountainwinds, creating a constant mist, while the mineral watershere range in temperature rom 96 to 100 degrees Celsius,making this one o the hottest springs in Europe. The waterin the spa is cooled to 43 degrees Celsius. Archaeological re-search o the site has revealed that these waters have been

in use or centuries. Come experience them!

BUJANOVAC – SIGHTSBujanovac is a small town in the ar south o Serbia that

is accessible via the highway to Skopje. The town is bestknown or the Bujanovačka Banja spa, which has waterthat’s 43 degrees Celsius and is renowned or its healingmud.

The Church o St. Archangel is located in the village o Lo-pardinci our kilometres north o Bujanovac. Though thereis no written historical data about the structure, research-ers believe it was built in the 16th century. The beautiul res-

coes in the naos and altar area depict scenes o importantreligious holidays and the suering o Christ.



National Tourism

Organisation

of Serbia

www.serbia.travel

52 Weekends in SerbiaPublisher: National Tourism Organisation o Serbia

11000 Belgrade, Čika Ljubina 8Tel: +381 11 6557 100Fax: +381 11 2626 767

E-mail: [email protected]

www.acebook.com/serbia.travel

For publisher: Gordana Plamenac, CEO/Managing DirectorEditor: Olgica Miljković

Text: Gordana BulatovićText rened by: Branka Jikić

Translated by: Ilijana Šaša, Zorana Bjeličić, Tamara Mandić

Language Editor: Mark PullenPhotographs: Dragan Bosnić, Dragoljub Zamurović, Nebojša Babić, NTOS archive & Local TO:emski Karlovci, Kikinda, Vršac, Irig, Zlatar, Oplenac, Bajina Bašta, Gornji Milanovac and Šabac

Front page design: Marijana MarkoskaDesign: Marijana Markoska

Prepress: Nina TodorovićPrinted by: Komazec d.o.o., Inđija

Sixth edition in English, 2012Circulation: 8.000

ISBN ISBN 978-86-6005-230-0COBISS.SR-ID 191310604

publication is made possible bysupport o the American peopleugh the United States Agency ornational Development (USAID)does not necessarily refect thes o USAID or the United Statesrnment.

CIP - Каталогизација у публикацијиНародна библиотека Србије, Београд

338.48(497.11)(036)BULATOVIĆ, Gordana, 1964-

52 Weekends in Serbia / [text GordanaBulatović ; translated by Ilijana Šaša,

Zorana Bjeličić, Tamara Mandić ; photographsDragan Bosnić, Dragoljub Zamurović, Nebojša

Babić]. - 6th ed. - Belgrade : National

Tourism Organisation o Serbia, 2012 (Inđija: Komazec). - [108] str. : otogr. ; 30 cmIzv. stv. nasl.: 52 vikenda u Srbiji. -

Podatak o autoru preuzet iz koloona. - Tiraž8.000.

ISBN 978-86-6005-230-0a) Србија - Водичи

COBISS.SR-ID 191310604



National Tourism

Organisationof Serbia

www.serbia.travel

52 weekends in serbia

Documents