of rUral Serbia

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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.
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