of rUral Serbia

Unique Experience
of Rural Serbia
National
Tourism
Organisation
of Serbia
SERBIA
www.serbia.travel

CONTENTS.INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION
The United Nations Millennium Achievement Goals Fund (MDGF) project in Serbia – ”Sustainable
Tourism for Rural Development“ was launched in 2010 and completed in December 2012, as planned.
Its main objective was to support the diversification of the rural economy of Serbia through tourism
and related industries. The project was implemented through the joint collaboration and partnership
of five UN agencies (UNDP, UNEP, FAO, UNICEF and UNWTO) and three national partner institutions:
Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE), Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water
Management, and National Tourism Organisation of Serbia (NTOS).
After formulating a Master Plan for Sustainable Rural Tourism Development in Serbia which was
approved in November 2011 by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, UNWTO and NTOS, under
the overall coordination of the MFE, jointly collaborated in other project activities including the
implementation of a grants scheme aimed at supporting rural small and medium enterprises in
improving the overall quality of their rural tourism services and facilities, improving their overall
competitiveness and, stimulating the development of rural tourism clusters.
Based on the successful partnership in the implementation of the grants scheme and other project
activities in which NTOS collaborated with other UN partners including training programmes,
it was decided to provide further technical assistance to NTOS to prepare a brochure which could
capitalise on the work achieved and showcase the new developments of rural tourism in Serbia. In
this regard, UNWTO provided technical assistance to NTOS to formulate a set of quality guidelines
on the selection criteria for best practice in rural accommodation service and standards in order to
support NTOS in the identification and selection of Serbian rural tourism best practices for inclusion
in a promotional brochure.
The objective of this brochure is to create awareness of the four rural tourism marketing regions of
South Banat, Lower Danube, Central Serbia and Eastern Serbia and the greater rural tourism offering
of Serbia. The guidelines cover the requirements for participating in the brochure as well as the
development of the selection and verification process. The selection process was developed based
on the following criteria:
•Quality of services
•Quality of the welcome
•Enhancement and use of local produce
•Promotion of the area
UNWTO would like to acknowledge and thank all the stakeholders who have participated in the
development of this brochure. A special thanks is extended to the leading partner of the project –
the National Tourism Organization of Serbia (NTOS) for their efforts and inputs strongly supported
by high level of motivation and engagement of local tourism organisations as well as the owners
of rural households who managed to combine the best of their offer, featuring tradition and up-todate
holiday needs.
Introduction
South Banat
Lower Danube
Eastern Serbia
Central Serbia
Contacts
1
2
6
12
18
28
Dr. Harsh Varma
Director – Technical Cooperation and Services
World Tourism Organization
Gordana Plamenac
CEO/Managing Director
National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
www.serbia.travel

SOUTH BANAT
Vršac
Vršac, a town with around 40,000 residents, can be reached
from different directions, by railway or by road. From the west,
there is a very good road from Belgrade to Vršac, and you can get
to this town situated under the Vršac Hill in a little more than
an hour’s drive. From the south, from the Danube, through the
edges of the Deliblato Sands, and via Bela Crkva, the road will
also bring you to this baroque little town on the very border with
the neighbouring Romania. To the north the town is connected
to the Central and North Banat both by road and by railway, and
from the east you can get to Vršac straight from Europe.
The first settlements were made as early as in Neolith, at the
time of polished stone, as we can see from archaeological findings.
Human settlements in the Late Middle Ages gained a more
permanent character with the arrival of Slavic people in these
areas. Upon seeing the hills and mounts of Vršac, the newcomers
changed its old names Podvršac and Podvršan into Verh, or
Vrh, which means the top of the hill in Slavic. Large forests, lakes,
swamps and fertile soil provided excellent conditions for settlement.
A variety of different peoples lived in this place: the Cimmerians,
Celts, Dacians, and then the Romans, who were replaced
by the Sarmatians, followed by the Slavs and Hungarians, and
in 1552 conquered by the Ottomans. When the Ottomans left
in 1717, there was yet another flow of new residents, and with
it came economic and cultural development. With the union of
Serbian and German Vršac in 1794, and especially after obtaining
the market privilege in 1804 and the status of a free royal town,
Vršac became the economic, commercial and cultural centre of
this region.
Walking down the spacious and well aligned streets of Vršac, you
can almost follow its development from the beginnings to the
present day, smell the history of its beautiful houses and churches,
and feel the heartbeat of this old, but still comfortable town.
Viticulture, crafts, sericulture, animal husbandry, agronomy and
highly developed trade have made the townspeople richer, which
is the main precondition for the development of education and
culture.
Among the historical monuments which have survived the centuries,
the most important one is definitely the Tower of Vršac,
which dominates the town, showing the remains of the sometime
town of Vršac built at the end of the 14th and beginning of
the 15th century. The fortification was surrounded by two and a
half meter thick walls, and it had a large three floor tower and a
smaller one. It was built as defence against the Turks, who still
managed to conquer the town in 1552, after which the tower was
left at the mercy of vandals and the ravages of time. It was not
until 1970 that its refurbishment, which lasts to this day, was initiated.
If you climb up the tower, you will have a magnificent view
of Vršac and the surrounding landscape, and this is where you are
bound to meet a great number of people who enjoy flying on a
wide variety of gliders.

2 | 3
Vršac and the surrounding areas have been known for viticulture
since olden times. The vineyards of Vršac take a large part of the
slopes of the Vršac Hills, where natural conditions are good for
vine cultivation. According to some sources, the viticulture of
this area dates back to the time of the Dacians. The importance
of viticulture for this town is also shown in the town’s coat of
arms, which was adopted as early as in 1804, and which includes
the image of grapevine. Today grapes are grown in the area of
around 2,000 hectares. The program “Vršac Wine Route” takes
tourists through grapevine plantations, with wine tasting included.
The wine offer is complemented with some home-made specialties,
and tamboura players are always there. One of the most
popular destinations is the village of Gudurica, with around 1,400
winegrowers and winemakers among whom there are as many
as 18 different nationalities. For over half a century the so-called
“Grape ball” is organized every autumn, where a large number of
both foreign and domestic guests spend several days celebrating.
THE DELIBLATO SANDS (DELIBLATSKA PEŠČARA)
lings were planted in the sand, which was carried all around by
the Košava wind. Large areas are covered in black locust, pine,
juniper and birch trees. In the central part of the sands there is
the village of Šušara, surrounded by orchards and vineyards. The
southern parts have more water, and animal husbandry is developed
in the vast steppes.
On the territory of the Deliblato Sands there are 86 species of
medicinal herbs. The region is also rich in animals. Sand martins
have made their nests in countless holes and sand ridges.
The barely passable woods of the sands provide a safe haven for
dear, does and wild boars. One part of the sands is used as a hunting
ground, where you can shoot some wild boars. Lynx is also
believed to be one of the permanent residents of the Deliblato
Sands.
Out of several picnic grounds in the sands, Devojački Bunar
(Maiden’s Well) is the most popular one. In this region, water can
be found under the thick layer of sand. This is why all wells are
deep, and the water used to be taken from the wells with the help
of horses, who turned the winders. One such horse-powered mill
can be seen in Devojački Bunar, near a church hut. There is also
a hotel with a swimming pool called “Plava Dama”, a great number
of sports facilities and over two hundred weekend cottages.
Everything is marked with wooden plaques which were placed
there by the “Novo jutro” society of the Sands lovers from Banatski
Karlovac.
The Deliblato, Banat or the Great Sands is one of the geological
heritages of the Pannonian Sea. Even though it is also called “Little
Sahara”, you will hardly find anything resembling a desert in
this area stretching across almost three hundred square kilometres.
The south-east parts of the sands are rippled and you can
see the sand dunes, and yet the whole area is covered in dense
vegetation. At the beginning of the 19th century the first seedwww.serbia.travel

SOUTH BANAT
“Bali” Pottery Store
“Dinar“ Ethno House
The fusion of traditional crafting techniques and the contemporary
technology of firing has resulted in a recognizable quality
of pottery which you can find in this store. Velibor Stanković, a
craftsman and an artist, has inherited this skill from his ancestors
and continued to perfect it. Bowls and decorations of various sizes
and shapes can be seen in the store, and back in the workshop
the craftsman constantly works on new pieces.
This restaurant, which is located in the town of Vršac, is one of the
gastronomic symbols of Vršac. In the pleasant atmosphere of ethno
design, you will enjoy the authentic specialties and the best homemade
wines from Vršac vineyards. Tasty food and excellent service
attract visitors from the surrounding towns and neighbouring Romania.
What gives special charm to this restaurant is its summer
terrace, which is one of the most beautiful terraces in Vršac.
Contact
Vardarska 25
26300 Vršac
Phone: +381 (0)13 2839 420
Email: wwecko@hemo.net
Contact
Dimitrija Tucovića 82
26300 Vršac
Phone: +381 (0)13 830 024
Email: etnokucadinar@hotmail.com

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“Janošičanka“
Women’s Association
The village of Janošik is located on the road Banatski Karlovac –
Plandište. It is known for cherries which are grown here on over
20 hectares. The „Janošičanka“ association was founded by hard
working Slovakian women, who also started the manifestation
called “Cherry Days“. This is a great opportunity for them to show
what they can make with cherries – juice, jam, marmalade, jelly,
preserves, etc. When the cherry season is over, the Janošik women
go back to their original love – handicrafts.
Contact
Edvarda Kardelja 88
26362 Janošik
Viktorija Kolar
Cell phone: +381 (0)62 1766 829
Email: k.viktorija68@gmail.com
Association of Citizens “Novo jutro”
Užička 24
26320 Banatski Karlovac
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 3504 948
Email: magictouch@hemo.net
Beekeepers’ Association “Pčelica”
Drinska 68
26320 Banatski Karlovac
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 8870 788
Email: planojevic.milan@gmail.com
“Mali rit” Zoological Garden
Gudurički put 124
26300 Vršac
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 588 6936
Email: stefanovic@hemo.net
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Cycling LOWER DANUBE around Serbia
GolubaC
The Danube
Despite not being the longest river in Europe, the Danube is certainly
the most important one. It crosses the continent from
north-west to south-east, connecting the North and the Black
Seas through its elaborate system of canals. Four European
capital cities are situated on the banks of the Danube – old cities
which prevented invasions of conquerors with countless bridges
connecting the widely separated riverbanks. This is the most
important European traffic artery commonly crossed by cruise
ships. Strangely enough, it was down the Danube that the Pannonian
Sea flowed away. The most beautiful part of the river can
be seen at the exact same place where the sea and the river broke
through the Carpathian mountain walls. The winding Đerdap
Gorge, which is around a hundred kilometres long, reveals the
long and strenuous process of erosion of rocks by the water, commemorating
the times when the water won and when it withdrew
in search of an easier path. The gorge was a safe haven for
all civilisations which had the chance to settle there at one time
or another.
The most beautiful navigable part of the Danube starts at the old
Ram Fortress. From Ram, the river takes a bend to the south and
then rapidly widens. Veliko Gradište is a borderline harbour and
this is where the Danube narrows down a little. A large branch
is separated from the river and transformed into the Silver Lake
(Srebrno jezero) – a famous picnic ground with modern accommodation
and facilities. Near Golubac the river yet again strives
to become the sea widening by several kilometres. The old town
of Golubac was founded on barely accessible rocks, next to the
river itself. On the other side of the river there is a similar fort of
somewhat smaller dimensions. The river is cut in the middle by
the sharp Babakaj rock. This is the beginning of the most amazing
river gorges of Europe and the Đerdap National Park. At the
very entrance to the gorge you can see the old town of Golubac
and the Babakaj rock. Rumour has it that in the past some Turks
kidnapped a girl named Golubana and took her to a harem. The
girl could not bear to accept the fact that she was to become a
harem beauty, so the Turks tied her to the Babakaj rock. This is
where she eventually drowned and the town on the steep riverbank
was named Golubac. Today there the old fortress is planned
to be refurbished and the road which goes through the fort is to
be relocated. Village tourism is developed in the surrounding villages,
especially in Vinci, which is a weekend village and picnic
grounds frequented by the residents of Golubac. The village is located
on the Danube and there is a wide variety of recreational
sports you can take part in, including water sports.

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Donji Milanovac
The Đerdap Gorge (also known as the Iron Gates) includes four
gorges and three valleys. It starts with the Upper Gorge, which
is followed by Gospođinski Vir, Veliki and Mali Kazan and the Sip
Canal. In between the gorges there are spacious valleys – Ljupkovska,
Donjomilanovačka and Oršavska. The Danube is up to two
kilometres wide in Donji Milanovac, and in Mali Kazan it narrows
down to 150 metres. In addition, it can be up to 90 meters deep.
The Đerdap Gorge can be studied as a true textbook on the history
of the Earth and humans. On the rocky banks of the Boljetinska
River, you can see the development of the morphology of
this part of Serbia, just like in a book. In the surrounding areas
there are a lot of caves, and Rajko’s Cave near Majdanpek is the
most important one. With the construction of the dam, many
places on both Serbian and Romanian coasts were flooded. The
old town of Poreč on the Poreč River was often flooded, so it was
moved to the coast and named Donji Milanovac. When the dam
was built, it was flooded yet again, and rebuilt on an elevation
above the river for the third time. Today it is a tourism centre of
the whole region with its hotel “Lepenski vir”. There is also private
accommodation in Kapetan Mišin Breg and other hills above the
Danube.
Kladovo
In Mali Kazan the Danube narrows down to only 150 metres.
Above this rough narrow part of the river, Roman Emperor Trajan
placed a plaque to commemorate the presence of his legions in
this part of the world. Because of the rapid waters and a large
number of rocks, the Sip Canal was for a long time a barely passable
barrier for ships. During the 70’s of the 20th century, the “Iron
Gate 1” Hydroelectric Power Station dam was built the at the exit
from the gorge. Next to the dam there are the remains of Trajan’s
Bridge and the Roman town of Diana. Both the beginning and
the end of the gorge are marked with fortresses. Near Kladovo
there are the remains of the Fetislam Fortress, which used to
be very strong in the past. It was first built there by Trajan, then
Justinian, and in the 12th century the fortification Novi Grad was
built and later destroyed by the Hungarians. The Ottomans later
built a strong fortress there, and it has been very well preserved
to this day.
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LOWER DANUBE
Majdanpek
When you head for Majdanpek from Donji Milanovac, you have to
go through a place called Topolnik. In the past Prince Lazar went
hunting in Deli Jovan, and on returning from hunt he saw a man
sleeping under a tree. His breathing was so forceful that it made
the leaves tremble in the surrounding poplars. This is when the
place was named Topolnik (in Serbian, “poplar town”), and Serbian
epic poetry got its hero Miloš Obilić. Around ten kilometres to the
south, next to the Negotin–Majdanpek highway, you can see the
remains of the fortification built by the Ancient Romans, which
the locals call Miloš’s Tower. From Miloš’s Tower down the Šaška
River, there is a winding road to Majdanpek.
Local people work close by in the mining industry in Majdanpek,
but they also cultivate land, claiming that they have more and
more herds. They also get substantial income from charcoal. It is
believed that in three surrounding villages there are around two
hundred charcoal people, and beech and Turkey oak charcoal from
this region is highly appreciated in Germany and Switzerland.
Because of the large number of charcoal plants, the valley of the
Šaška River is also called as the Smoke Valley.
The mining industry was developed in the hinterland of the Đerdap
Gorge as early as in the third millennium B.C. The best known, and
the oldest mine in Europe, is called Rudna Glava. The mining activities,
which began in ancient times, continued during the Ottoman
rule, although the locals massively abandoned the mines due to
inhuman working conditions. Rumour has it that the miners suffered
from mass poisoning because of using lead cutlery, so many
of them left the mine and turned to agriculture. In Rudna Glava
there is a museum of mining with a ditch which was used from the
fourth millennium B.C. until the beginning of the 20th century.
When you move on, towards Majdanpek, behind the village of
Blizna there is a small stream flowing into the Šaška River. If you
are visiting during the high water season, and you go down the
stream, you will be amazed by a stunning sight. The stream which
the locals call Beli Izvorac flows over around ten tufa cascades
forming a magnificent set of waterfalls. If you walk down the
cascades, you will see an interesting source after a hundred meters.
There is a stream of water forcefully coming out of the karst
rocks of Mali Krš. After twenty minutes or so, the stream becomes
slower as it enters an impressive stone gate. There is the largest
and the most beautiful natural stone bridge Valja Prerast arching
over the Prerast River. The official name of this natural bridge is
Šuplja Stena (Hollow Rock). The smallest height of the bridge arch
is 30 and the maximum is 34 metres. The maximum height of the
arch above the river is 42 metres, and the length of the river flow
through the gate is 22 metres.
In the Smoke Valley there are several households engaged in tourism.
The rooms are comfortable, with bathrooms, and on the
menu there are old dishes, like Vlach polenta, belmuž polenta, regional
dish borondeo, nettle soup, etc. In this region rivers are fast
and short, as well as gold-bearing, so even if you are not fascinated
by beautiful scenery, you can take a sample and try your luck with
gold.

8 | 9
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LOWER DANUBE
“Bajka” studios
Villa “Dunavski raj”
Close to the road along the Danube, in the tourism village of Vinci,
there are studios owned by Ignjatije and Slobodanka Korolija.
Among other, you will be impressed by the tastefully decorated
rooms and exceptionally well cultivated garden with seating
sets, as well as the bicycles you can rent. You will be amazed by
their hospitality, and because of the new heating system which
all rooms have, you can pay a visit at any time of the year.
Surrounded by a charming forest, the villa of the Đorđević family
provides excellent conditions for a dream vacation. The guests
also have a large beautiful garden at their disposal, and the modern
sports grounds for basketball, small football, tennis, beech
volleyball, etc. are also part of the bargain.
Contact
Tourism/weekend village of Vinci
3. ulica
12223 Golubac
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 7111 080
Email: apartmani.bajka@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/site/apartmanibajka/
Contact
Tourism/weekend village of Vinci
12223 Golubac
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 269 3833
Email: viladunavskiraj@gmail.com;
office@dunavskiraj.info
www.viladunavskiraj.rs

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Zdravko Gajanović
The Gajanović family household is placed on an elevation above
the “Lepenski Vir” Hotel in Donji Milanovac. From the entrance
gate, there is a path through colourful flowerbeds, leading to a
terrace with an impressive view of the Danube. The sight of the
Valley of Donji Milanovac is just what you need to relax and enjoy
your vacation. The accommodation has been modernized with
the renovation of all bathrooms.
Contact
Radnička bb
19220 Donji Milanovac
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 740 5400
The Pub “Zlatna Ribica”
Cara Dušana 28
12223 Golubac
Cell phone: +381 (0)62 232 598,
+381 (0)62 805 6407
Email: zlatnaribica.dm@gmail.com
www.kafanazlatnaribica.com
The “Balić” Motel and Pub
Rudna Glava Village, Blizna hamlet
19257 Rudna glava, Majdanpek
Cell phone: +381 (0)69 2122 373
Email: bojan.balic@gmail.com
www.serbia.travel

EASTERN SERBIA
Dimitrovgrad – the Jerma Canyon
The Jerma River springs at the village of Klisura, a couple of kilometres
east of Lake Vlasina. It flows towards Bulgaria, passing
through the Trnovsko Ždrelo Gorge, and then flows back into
Serbia. There it separates the mountains peaks of Greben from
the Vlach Mountains. In the past the Romans built their summer
houses and Serbian dignitaries built monasteries along this river.
All of them appreciated the beauty of the gorge, recognizing the
miraculous effects of the healing spa waters. Greben and the Vlach
Mountain were probably connected in the past, but the Jerma River
must have separated them, forming one of the most beautiful
river gorges in Serbia. The gorge is extremely narrow, and only afternoon
sun can reach the river. There is a road passing trough the
river canyon, but because of the restricted space, the major part of
the road goes through a system of tunnels. After having flown for
two kilometres through the narrow gorge, the river widens near
the Monastery of Poganovo.
The Monastery of Poganovo is an endowment of Emperor Dušan’s
nephew, Konstantin Dejanović Dragaš, and his daughter Jelena
Dragaš. Jelena later married Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleiologos,
and she finished the construction of the monastery after
her father’s death. At that time she had already become Nun Hypomene.
The church, which was built in 1395, is devoted to the
holy Evangelist John the Theologian. At the entrance to the church
there is an inscription stating that it was painted in 1499. The zographs
(icon painters) never left their signature, so the painter of
those amazing frescoes is not known. The monastic complex was
refurbished in 1876, and the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
is protected as a cultural monument of great importance.
Right behind the monastery, the river continues its flow through
the gorge. Anticipating a rather uninteresting plain after about a
hundred of meters, the river seems to have been involved in the
shaping of the rocks in this area. The exit from the gorge is marked
by two huge rocks, resembling the gates of Heaven. The rock on
the right stretches out and arches over the old village of Vlasi. It is
a picturesque village made of old houses, which is a story in itself.
In the rocks above the village there is a cave called Vatrena Dupka.
Four kilometre long passageways are connected to the 160-meter
deep Pešterica cave. For the time being, only a two-kilometre long
hallway with a small chamber containing some cave jewellery is
passable.
Upon leaving the narrow gorge, the river slowly enters the spacious
Pirot field. In the vicinity of Sukovo, the Jerma River flows
into the Nišava. There is the old Monastery of Sukovo. The monastic
church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Holy Virgin. Most
visitors find the dog-headed Saint Christopher one of its most interesting
features.
Pirot – Gornji Visok
Gornji Visok is a spacious area in the farthest east of Serbia. It is
pinched between The Balkan Mountains (Stara planina) and its
branch Vidlič. A lake is presumed to have been located there in the
past, and its waters are believed to have flowed away through the

12 | 13
cave called Vladikine Ploče, towards the Black Sea. From time to
time, the locals still discover the petrified remains of the past life
on this large lake, and use them for decoration of fences and house
foundations.
Vrelo picnic ground, where Visočica River is joined by the Dojkinačka
and Jelovačka Rivers, is a favourite one for Pirot townspeople and
the residents of the surrounding areas alike. In the colourful valley
there are a hotel, a pub, a camping site and a fishpond, whereas
on the high slope we can see the Monastery of Visočka Ržana with
an interesting church from XVIII century, dedicated to the Holy Virgin.
The waters surrounding Vrelo are rich in fish and present fishermen
with a real challenge. From Vrelo to the village of Visočka
Ržana, the Dojkinačka River forms a beautiful gorge with a great
fall. In front of Visočka Ržana, the Visočica River is joined by the
Dojkinačka and Rosomačka Rivers, the latter of which has formed
an extraordinary gorge in the sedimentary rocks. It is located below
the village of Rosomač, whose residents call this miraculous
interplay of water and rock The Rosomač Pots, Cauldrons, or simply
Neck. The visitors who wish to see Vrelo, the Rosomač Neck or
the nearby Vidlič, can stay overnight in the surrounding villages of
Slavinja, Visočka Ržana or Rsovci.
Pirot – Donji Visok (Lake Zavoj)
Behind Rsovci the Visočica enters the gorge of Vladikine Ploče,
where you can see a large entrance to the homonymous cave.
The gorge is difficult to pass, and you can get there only during
the low water season. However, there is an interesting path
winding on the edge of the gorge. After a few kilometres of unbelievably
twisted flow, the steep rocks get separated and at the village
of Pakleštica there begins a 17-kilometre long Lake Zavoj. This
lake was formed in 1963, when a hill collapsed, blocking the river.
The village of Zavoj was flooded. Later they made a concrete dam,
because the new natural one threatened to collapse, flooding villages
all the way to the Nišava with the accumulated water. Since
that time, the waters of the Visočica River have been drained
through a long tunnel to the power station in Pirot, and only peak
waters go further down the Mrtvački Most canyon, where they
form the Temštica together with the Toplodolska River. Since its
appearance, Lake Zavoj has been the favourite spot of fishermen
and Pirot residents alike.
Belski Bridge arches over the lake near the homonymous village,
and upon crossing the bridge, you will get to the most picturesque
village in the Balkan Mountains – Gostuša. Old houses,
cobblestone streets and stone bridges reveal the past glory of
this place. Roman legions were frequent guests of Gostuša, and
the locals also had the crusader army as their guests on their
way to the Holy Land. Today it is a village mainly inhabited by
old people. Strangely enough, when Pirot townspeople want to
make a joke with someone who lives far away, they often say (in
their peculiar dialect with hardly any vowels and untypical stress
on the final syllable), “What does he know, he comes all the way
from Gostuša!” Lake Zavoj has become much more easily accessible
with the new asphalt road which connects the lake with
Pirot, and Mala Lukanja near the dam with Pakleštica at the end
of Vladikine Ploče.
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EASTERN SERBIA
Knjaževac – Budžak
Knjaževac – Timok
Right in the middle of the road connecting Knjaževac and Pirot,
there is the village of Kalna. What used to be an important military
station and a uranium mine in the past are now the gates of
the Balkan Mountains (Stara planina). From Kalna, you can follow
the road to a ski resort in Babin Zub, or a shortcut to the highway
near Niš. The road which goes from Kalna towards the south, to
Pirot, goes along the Stanjinska River, a tributary of the Trgoviški
Timok. On the seventh kilometre of the road, the river flows into
the Bigreni Stream. What brings special charm to the confluence
is a beautiful waterfall, as the stream directly flows down into
the Stanjinska River from a twenty-metre high tufa rock. Not so
long ago, the Bigreni Stream or Vrelo (Source) as the locals call it,
was decorated with a set of 12 watermills. Kalna, which for a long
time used to be nothing more than a crossroads on the way to
the mountain, has now become a place where visitors often stay
for a few days. There are more and more guests each year due to
the interesting scenery, rich hunting and fishing grounds, plentiful
gifts of nature in the surrounding forests and fields, as well as
because of the altitude which many people find more comfortable
in comparison to the 2,000 metre high mountain.
The road leading from Knjaževac to Zaječar follows the flow of
the Beli Timok, so the whole area is called Timok. On the right,
the Balkan Mountains (Stara planina) begin to ascend towards
the 2,169 metre high Midžor. On the left bank of the Beli Timok,
there is the interesting village of Ravna. Next to the village, on
the very riverbank, you can see the remains of the Roman fortification
Timacum Minus. The fortified walls speak about an important
settlement of the Romans, and on the great number of preserved
monuments, we can still discern some details which imply
a larger-scale production of wine. Quality wines are still made.
A few old houses in Ravna have been conserved with all the objects
which were characteristically used in this part of Serbia. The
ethno-setting is at the same time a wine museum, and the park
is garnered with numerous monuments from the Roman period.
Ravna and Potkranje are located on the slopes of Tupižnica, a
mountain unknown to tourists. However, several households
in Ravna, Stogazovac and Vlaško Polje, offer tourist visits to this
area. Stogazovac is an interesting village in the valley of a small
river which breaks through some impressive rocks similar to
Borački Krš or Vražji Kamen. There is also Šuplja Stena (The Hollow
Rock), a “window” which Kraljević Marko is believed to have
made in stone, throwing a large mace from nearby Tupižnica.

14 | 15
Rsovci – The Balkan Mountains
(Stara planina)
Denčić Studio
What is interesting about the village of Rsovci is its untouched
architecture and unusual rocks containing countless caves. In
one of them there is a cave church devoted to Saints Peter and
Paul. One of the attractions is the image of the Child Jesus on a
rock, whom a local zograph painted with no hair. The access to
the cave has been facilitated with the construction of a staircase,
with the help of the programme “Sustainable Tourism for Rural
Development”. Vidoje Jovanović’s household in Rsovci is an ideal
base for visiting all the sites of Gornje Visoko – by bicycle or car.
The winding Lake Zavoj can be best explored by boat or paddle
boat, which you can rent in Slaviša Denčić’s house near the dam.
This well decorated home is cosy and comfortable, and you can
enjoy one of the most beautiful terrace views of the lake and the
Balkan Mountains (Stara planina). They also offer other activities
like photo safari, cycling, collecting medicinal herbs, hiking, fishing
and hunting. If you buy one of the souvenirs which the hosts
make of natural materials, you will keep the memory of this idyllic
scenery for a long time.
Contact
Rsovci Village
18306 Visočka Ržana, Pirot
Slavica Ćirić
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 789 4351
Email: info@damskosrce.com
Contact
Mala Lukanja, Lake Zavoj
18300 Pirot
Phone: +381 (0)10 377 756
Cell Phone: +381 (0)64 1164 224
Email: apartmani.dencic@gmail.com
www.serbia.travel

EASTERN SERBIA
Villa Bogdanović
Ethno-village “Srna”
On the banks of the Trgoviški Timok and the Izvorska River, at the
foot of the Balkan Mountains (Stara planina), there is the village
of Kalna. In the very centre of the village, on a large and isolated
site, there is the villa of the Bogdanović family. On the outside the
house has preserved a look typical for the houses of this region,
whereas the interior has modern design. Recently, a new house
has been built, part of which will be decorated in ethno style.
Among other, guests can take part in the collection of medicinal
herbs and mushrooms, or in hunting, and in winter there is the
possibility of renting ski equipment and organizing transportation
to the ski resort “Babin Zub” in the Balkan Mountains, which
is 18 kilometres away.
You can taste home-made dishes and specialties made of game
in the restaurant of ethno-village “Srna” in Inovo, near Kalna. The
offer includes a hotel with 80 beds, conference hall, children’s
amusement park and an open swimming pool. There is also the
possibility of organizing hunt and fishing, and you can get homemade
specialties from our local producers – honey, cheese,
preserves, pickles, etc.
Contact
Kalna b.b.
19353 Kalna, Knjaževac
Phone: +381 (0)19 760 302
Cell phone: +381 (0)66 5080 735
Email: info@vila-bogdanovic.rs
www.vila-bogdanovic.rs
Contact
Inovo b.b.
19353 Kalna, Knjaževac
Phone: +381 (0)19 760 335
Cell Phone: +381 (0)64 1877 159
Email: j.prokopovic11@gmail.com

16 | 17
The Svetozarević Household
The household of the Svetozarević family from Zubetinac, on
the Knjaževac–Sokobanja road, is an ideal base for visiting this
picturesque area. There are open roads to the Balkan Mountains
(Stara planina), Tupižnica, Devica, Rtanj, etc., which you can take
by bike, a car or on foot. You can rent and service your bicycle,
and there are marked cycling paths all around. Less active visitors
will enjoy sitting in a comfortable chair under a walnut tree with
a glass of good wine, appreciating the tasty offer of home-made
dishes.
Contact
Zubetinac Village
19369 Bučje, Knjaževac
Rusomir Svetozarević
Cell phone: +381 (0)69 730 113
Email: svetozarevic@medianis.net
www.gorskikonak.com
Vidoje Jovanović
Rsovci Village
18306 Visočka Ržana, Pirot
Cell phone: +381 (0)61 227 6091
Slađana Pešić
Mala Lukanja, Lake Zavoj
18300 Pirot
Phone: +381 (0)10 378 550
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 441 080
Email: jpesic2001@yahoo.com
Dragoslav Manić
Velika Lukanja, Lake Zavoj
18300 Pirot
Cell phone: +381 (0)62 358 423
Email: dr.manich@gmail.com
www.serbia.travel

CENTRAL SERBIA
Kosjerić
The Skrapež River is made of several streams which spring in the
southern slopes of Povlen, Maglješ and Maljen. One part of the
Bar railway line connecting Valjevo with Kosjerić and Požega follows
the river flow. The left river bank mildly ascends to Maljen
and the well-known mountain resort Divčibare, which is situated
on its flat peak. On the right hilly bank there is Kosjerić and some
charming mountain villages.
On the slopes of Povlen you can see the village of Donji Taor, and
above the village, on the Springs of Taor, the largest and the most
beautiful tributary of Skrapež River begins its flow. The water
flows over countless tufa terraces, creating one of the most amazing
images of Serbia. Ten water mills which stopped working long
ago bring additional charm to the area. The river forcefully flows
down near some country houses, forming a beautiful waterfall,
and then slowly makes for Kosjerić. The Springs of Taor are partially
capped for Kosjerić waterfall, so tourists are advised to visit
the site in early springtime, when there is enough water both for
the waterfalls and this ever thirsty town. In the immediate vicinity
of Donji Taor there is the village of Radanovci, with a memorial
to Žikica Jovanović Španac. Recently a new water mill has started
working owing to Dragomir Janković, who repaired it with the
help of the program “Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development“.
Another Skrapež tributary is called the Sečica. It flows through
the village of Seča Reka. The village is known for a church hut
built in the 15th century, whereas its today’s appearance comes
from the period of the First Serbian Uprising. There are several
valuable icons in the church, and the “golden door” brought from
Herzegovina are particularly appealing. The church is surrounded
by painted gravestones – roadside memorials. The village has a
long tourism tradition, and it was awarded with the first “Tourism
Flower” for the development of rural tourism.

18 | 19
Rajac
It is not known whether this 848-metre-high Suvobor peak got
its name for its heavenly beauty (in Serbian the word Rajac is
associated with the word paradise), for the exquisite quality of
grass with up to thee swaths a year, or something else, but two
thousand members of “Pobeda” perceive it as their own Paradise.
When at the end of the 60’s agriculture began to die away in
Serbia, especially in the mountainous regions, the project called
“Rajac Mowing Days” was initiated. There was an annual fair
held on Saint Peter’s Day, so they decided to organize this mowing
contest on the very same date. The competitors had to wear
traditional costumes, and apart from the best mower, they also
chose the most beautiful water carrier, who supplied the mowers
with water brought in jugs. At the same time, the countrywomen
competed in preparation of traditional Serbian dishes.
Later they organized gatherings on mountain tourism, followed
with an exhibition of the equipment and machines used in mountain
agriculture. Nearby, in Dobra Voda, they held the “Suvobor
Heather Gathering”. The participants of this Gathering competed
in shoulder stone throwing, log throwing, tug of war, etc. A lot of
these activities are no longer practiced, but “Rajac Mowing Days”
still attracts many visitors.
In the immediate vicinity of “Čika Duško Jovanović” mountain
home, which was named after its founder, there is a monument
devoted to “1,300 Corporals”, and in “Pobeda” association there
were several living corporals who entrusted the monument to
the keeping of members of this association.
Almost all mountain climbers pursue the same destination in Rajac
– the one-hour-remote Dobra Voda resort with a mountain
home offering 12 beds. This is a favourite destination of people
who enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and a little more “Spartan”
conditions. From Dobra Voda you can reach the top of Suvobor,
Ravna Gora, the village of Ba, and other destinations in less time.
On the other side, at the foot of Suvobor, there is the village of
Slavkovica in which tourism was started more than a hundred
years ago. At the end of the village, towards Rajac, there is an old
church with a dilapidated roof. In it there are three unusual stone
sarcophagi, which are believed to be the graves of Despot Đurađ
Branković, his wife Jelena and perhaps their son. The surrounding
areas of Rajac, Suvobor and Maljen are characterized by hills,
open views and fields which simply call for long walks.
www.serbia.travel

CENTRAL SERBIA
The Region of Valjevo
The two tributaries which make the Jablanica River spring under
Mountain Jablanik. They meet at the village of Vujinovača, or at
the hamlet of Bebića Luka. There are charming old houses with
“roofs on four waters”, properties with garden sheds, bread baking
houses and ancillary houses. Everything is well-maintained,
and the households are most probably the same as they used to
be when they were founded by the Bebić family more than one
and a half centuries ago.
Three kilometres to the south, there is the Monastery of Pustinja
(Desert) hidden in a narrow canyon. It must have gotten its name
after the deserted area where it is situated. Because of its location,
the monastic church was spared from heavy destruction.
The monastic church is dedicated to the Presentation of the
Most Holy Virgin. According to a legend, the church was built
at the time of King Dragutin, but the more reliable assumption
is that the monastery was actually founded in the 16th century.
Near the monastery, there is a church dedicated to Saint John the
Baptist. It is believed to have previously been a monastery which
was founded in the 15th century.

20 | 21
Gornji Milanovac
Accommodation “Rajski Konaci”
The region of Takovo, known for its tumultuous past and
hedonistic beauty, is the pioneer and champion of rural tourism
in Serbia. Gentle hills, picturesque villages, hospitable people
and the winding paths which present you with different scenery
invite you to explore this charming corner of Serbia, which
you will be reluctant to leave. The Pustinja Monastery is three
kilometres away from Poćuta, a place in the regional road Valjevo
– Bajina Bašta. There, on the final slopes of Povlen, you will see
countless raspberry fields. Right after the Pustinja Gorge, the
Jablanica River enters a spacious valley, only to come into the
narrow Jovanjska Gorge in some five or six kilometres. In the
gorge there are visible high contours of the future dam which will
block the Jablanica and form a large lake. The future lake will be a
long-term solution to the drinking water problems in the region
of Valjevo, most likely opening new possibilities for tourists who
decide to visit this beautiful place.
The ethno household of the Jevtović family called “Rajski konaci”
in the village of Leušići is a typical representative of the region
of Takovo. Gourmets, long distance hikers, party seekers and
families with small children can all find their place in this heavenly
household. And they are sure to come back. The lodgings have
extended their offer with a conference hall for smaller groups
of people. In 2010 this household was awarded the “Tourism
Flower” for their excellence and contribution in the development
of tourism. In the immediate vicinity of Leušići, there is also the
village of Koštunići with a new ethno complex which includes a
large swimming pool.
Contact
Leušići Village
32308 Pranjani, Gornji Milanovac
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 7128 325
Email: office@rajski-konaci.com; rajski.konaci@gmail.com
http://rajski-konaci.com/
www.serbia.travel

CENTRAL SERBIA
“Gostoljublje” Household
On the brinks of Maljen, on a beautiful spacious slope under a
larch forest, 15 kilometres away from both Divčibare and Kosjerić,
there is a household maintained by Marija Luković-Sredić and her
husband Željko. Next to their large beautiful house there are a
few more houses, one old and six new garden sheds, which have
been converted into contemporary and cosy studios with a bathroom.
Visitors also have a swimming pool at their disposal, and
the domestic animal farm in the immediate vicinity is particularly
appealing to the youngest visitors. Many guests are also eager to
try to learn how to make preserves, and plum cake is a specialty
of the region. Health food lovers will find some wild fruits and
mushrooms, which are plentiful, and they can also go hunting
and mountain climbing. Recently, “Gostoljublje” has offered the
possibility of bird watching with two powerful field glasses. If you
bear in mind that the Springs of Taor, the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge,
The Valjevo Mountains, Zlatibor and Mokra Gora are pretty close
by, you will see that “Gostoljublje”, where you will feel at home, is
the right place for you.
Contact
Mionica Village
31265 Ražana, Kosjerić
Phone: +381 (0)31 587 675
Cell phone: +381 (0)60 327 3327,
+381 (0)60 7177 277
Email: gostoljublje@yahoo.com;
eko.selo.gostoljublje@gmail.com
www.gostoljublje.com
http://gostoljublje.zavas.rs/

22 | 23
Ljubica Misailović
Already existing tourist signage will lead you to the household of
the Misailović family in the village of Skakavci, tucked in an idyllic
place among forests, streams, hills and fields. Guests can be
accommodated in a large house with several rooms and a big
dining room, which is ideal for larger groups of people. You will
also have a small courtyard house with a porch at your disposal,
where you will instantly forget about all worries and give into the
enjoyment, surrounded by stunning scenery.
Contact
Skakavci Village
31265 Ražana, Kosjerić
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 825 6275
Email: petarmis@gmail.com
www.serbia.travel

CENTRAL SERBIA
Ecological cycling association
“Green Bike”
A group of well-organized enthusiasts, with a clear vision of
cleaner Serbia, has been trying to increase ecological awareness
through a number of projects. However, their activities do not
end there – they cycle across the whole country, always in pursuit
of new and unexplored paths. The newest tour which they have
designed covers the whole area from Rajac to the Drina, and owing
to the program “Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development“,
the path was marked and equipped with benches where you can
take a rest.
Contact
Birčaninova 105
14000 Valjevo
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 1246 371
Email: ebdgreenbike@open.telekom.rs
www.greenbikevaljevo.org

24 | 25
European Hiking Route E7
The best way to get to know a country, its people, history, customs
and natural beauty, is to walk. In Serbia the E7 European
Hiking Route stretches from the north towards the south, taking
a bend in the central part of the country so as to include some
of the gentlest slopes and the most stunning landscapes. Mountaineering
associations offer possibilities of organized walks with
experienced guides, which is particularly convenient for beginner
hikers.
E7
E4
Contact
Mountaineering Association of Serbia
Dobrinjska 11
11000 Beograd
Phone: +381 (0)11 2642 065
www.pss.rs
www.serbia.travel

CENTRAL SERBIA
Milovan Stepanović
When you cross the eastern heights of Medvednik and get to the
Obnica valley, you will reach Stave, a village known for its “Blackberry
Days”. If you follow the clearly visible signalization from the
centre of the village, you will get to the Stepanović household.
Hostess Dragica is versed in making blackberry, forest fruit and
other preserves. The garden sheds in the yard and the rooms in
the guest house are full of her handicrafts, and the embroidered
pillows filled with medicinal herbs of Medvednik are simply
adorable.
Contact
Suvodanje Village
14255 Stave
Phone: +381 (0)14 271 154
Email: milovan.stepanovic@gmail.com
http://medvednik.com/

26 | 27
Velinka Veličković
From the overpass near Poćuta, you can follow the macadam
road leading to the village of Sitarice. In a beautiful ravine, a couple
of hundreds of metres from the new road, you will find Velinka
Veličković’s charming household. Two garden sheds, a large arbour,
cosy house and a small pond filled with the water from a
nearby source are a perfect setting for a team-building program.
The household is so tastefully decorated that even Velinka’s
neighbours have been encouraged to redecorate their households
and start thinking about their own tourism offer.
Contact
Sitarice Village
14255 Stave, Valjevo
Phone: +381 (0)14 271 427
Cell phone: +381 (0)63 218 528
Email: info@sitarice.com
http://vekoldmc.com/
Dragomir Janković
Radanovci Village
31265 Ražana, Kosjerić
Phone: +381 (0)31 587 855,
+381 (0)31 788 080
Cell phone: +381 (0)64 112 8418
Email: jankovic.dane@gmail.com
www.serbia.travel

Contacts
Local Tourism Organisations:
Vršac Municipality Tourist Office
Trg pobede 1
26300 Vršac
Phone: +381 (0)13 831 055
Email: info@vrsacturizam.rs
www.to.vrsac.com
www.vrsacturizam.rs
Požarevac Tourist Office
Drinska 1
12000 Požarevac
Phone: +381 (0)12 544 155
Email: topozarevacinfo@gmail.com
www.topozarevac.rs
Kladovo Municipality Tourist Office
Dunavska 16a
19320 Kladovo
Phone: +381 (0)19 801 690
Email: info@tookladovo.rs
http://tookladovo.rs
Negotin Municipality Tourist Office
Vojvode Mišića 25
19300 Negotin
Phone: +381 (0)19 547 555
Email: toonegotin@gmail.com
www.toon.org.rs
Knjaževac Municipality Tourist Office
Miloša Obilića 1
19350 Knjaževac
Phone: +381 (0)19 735 230
Email: toknjazevac@open.telekom.rs
www.toknjazevac.org.rs
Pirot Municipality Tourist Office
Srpskih vladara 82
18300 Pirot
Phone: +381 (0)10 320 838
Email: top010@open.telekom.rs
www.topirot.com
Dimitrovgrad Tourist Office
Balkanska 7
18320 Dimitrovgrad
Phone: +381 (0)10 360 873
Email: todimitrovgrad@ptt.rs
www.todimitrovgrad.org.rs
Ljig Tourist Office
Karađorđeva 7
14240 Ljig
Phone: +381 (0)14 344 3300; +381 (0)14 344 5242
Email: office@selo.co.rs; toolj@ptt.rs
www.selo.co.rs
Kosjerić Municipality Tourist Office
Karađorđeva 66
31260 Kosjerić
Phone: +381 (0)31 782 155
Email: office@odmorukosjericu.rs; tokos@open.telekom.rs
www.odmorukosjericu.rs, www.cobanskidani.rs

INFORMATION CENTRE
SOUVENIR SHOP
National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
Čika Ljubina 8, 11000 Belgrade
Phone: +381 (0)11 6557 127
Email: info@serbia.travel
www.serbia.travel
Impressum
Publisher:
National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
Čika Ljubina 8, 11000 Belgrade
Phone: +381 (0)11 6557 100
Fax: +381 (0)11 2626 767
Email: office@serbia.travel
www.serbia.travel
serbia.travel serbiatourism serbia
28 | 29
For publisher: Gordana Plamenac, CEO/Managing Director
Editorial board: Dejan Crnomarković, Kristina Kujundžić
Authors: Dragan Bosnić, Dejan Crnomarković
Translator: Aleksandra Vukotić
Design: Marijana Markoska
Prepress: Miša Kostić
Photographs: Dragan Bosnić, Dragoljub Zamurović, Dragan
Vildović, Branko Jovanović, hiishii 7 Summits by Bike, Miroslav
Zarić, Jovana Đukić, EBD Green Bike, Ethno village Srna, Vekol
DMC archives, TOS archives
Printed by: Službeni glasnik, Belgrade
1st edition in English, 2013
Circulation: 1,000
ISBN 978-86-6005-271-3
© National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
CIP - Каталогизација у публикацији
Народна библиотека Србије, Београд
338.48(497.11)
BOSNIĆ, Dragan, 1950-
Unique Experience of Rural Serbia /
[Dragan Bosnić, Dejan Crnomarković ;
photographs Dragan Bosnić ... [et al.] ;
prevodilac Aleksandra Vukotić]. - 1st ed. -
Belgrade : National Tourism Organisation of
Serbia, 2013 (Beograd : Čugura print). - 29
str. : fotogr. ; 24 cm
Izv. stv. nasl.: Јединствени доживљај
српског села. - Tiraž 1.000.
ISBN 978-86-6005-271-3
1. Crnomarković, Dejan, 1978- [аутор]
a) Србија - Туристичке могућности
COBISS.SR-ID 196736524
This publication was made within the framework of the joint UN
program ”Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development“ in Serbia
– component of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO),
financed by the Kingdom of Spain through the Millennium
Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDGF).
Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development
a joint UN programme in Serbia
www.serbia.travel

Unique Experience
of Rural Serbia
National
Tourism
Organisation
of Serbia
SERBIA
www.serbia.travel