On this two-days trip, we are taking you to the very heart of Serbia, where you’ll visit some of the most important churches and monasteries, while on the second day, you’ll enjoy the spectacular countryside and folk treasures of West Serbia.
Day 1
Novi Sad – Belgrade – Topola – Žiča – Studenica
We’ll start from Novi Sad, dropping by to Belgrade to pick additional passengers and continue towards Topola. Upon arrival, we’ll head for the top of Oplenac Hill to visit the church of St. George and the Mausoleum of the Serbian Royal House of Karadjordjević. Surrounded by forest and vineyards, this marbled five cupola edifice built up in the Serbian medieval style, sure would not leave you indifferent. Its interior is unique in this part of Europe: entirely covered by mosaics (40 million pieces in 15,000 shades), all of the copies from over 60 different Serbian medieval monasteries. With 1,500 figures arranged in 725 scenes or portraits it represents a real anthology of Serbian medieval art. In the crypt of the church are buried 25 members of the House of Karadjordjević, including Petar II, the last king of Yugoslavia. We won’t miss visiting the Summer House of King Petar I, today housing a gallery with portraits and artifacts connected with the royal dynasty, some of them of great artistic and historic importance.
After that, we’ll descend to the foot of Oplenac Hill to visit the Karadjordje’s Fort containing a museum that tells the story about the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottomans (1804-13) as well as the old church. Free time for lunch.
Afterward, we’ll continue our bus ride to the monastery of Žiča (built up in the first half of the 13th century). It was founded by King Stefan who was crowned there as the first king of the Nemanjić dynasty. Later on, six more kings of the same house were crowned there as well. When in 1219 Serbian church became independent from Constantinople, Žiča monastery was chosen as its seat, and St. Sava, Stefan’s brother, and the most important Serb saint was proclaimed as head of the new founded Serbian Orthodox Church.
We will next visit the Studenica monastery. It was established in 1190 by Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjić dynasty, and his wife Anna Dandolo, a Venetian noblewoman who became a Serbian queen. This monastery used to be one of the largest and wealthiest Serbian monasteries. Studenica is considered to be the cornerstone of Serbian medieval art and architecture and as such was included on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. We’ll spend the night next door to the monastery in a modest but pleasant hotel run by the monks.
Day 2
Studenica – Uvac Canyon – Sirogojno – Zlatibor – Belgrade – Novi Sad
Those interested in a church service will need to get up before sunrise. Breakfast is scheduled for 8 o’clock. After a 2½ hours-long bus ride we’ll reach the Special Nature Reserve “Uvac Canyon”. River Uvac flows between mountains Zlatar (to the south) and Zlatibor (on the north). It is most noteworthy for its numerous twists as well as for its most famous inhabitants – griffin vultures. Being the last sanctuary for this rare and endangered bird, Uvac has been spotted by the naturalists and eventually became a nature reserve. Among its numerous caves stand out the Ledena, Tubića and Ušačka caves, the latter being one of the longest in Serbia. Their entrances are at times partially submerged underwater but it is possible to approach them by boat. You’ll experience the wonderful nature of Serbia: we’ll take you for a walk and then if possible, we’ll go to the Ice Cave. Afterwards you will have free time for lunch in one of the simple eateries by the river.
We’ll continue towards the village of Gostilje where we will take a break to visit a magnificent waterfall. Our last stop will be the open-air museum of Sirogojno where you’ll learn about the traditional life of Serbian peasants in the 19th century.
The trip ends with a drive back to Belgrade and then to Novi Sad.
Dates of departures [7:00h]
Place of departure
Beograd/Belgrade
Activities
- Visit the church Saint George at Oplenac Hill
- Visit the House of King Peter I
- Visit the Karadjordje’s Fort
- Visit the monastery of Žiča, which has raised by king Stefan
- Visit the Studenica Monastery
- Visit the nature reserve “Uvac canyon”
- Visit a waterfall Gostilje
- Visit an open-air museum of Sirogojno
What’s included:
- Bus transfer
- Licensed tourist guide
- Accommodation in the guest house of the monastery Studenica with half board service
What’s excluded:
- Entrance fee for Oplenac 400 RSD (approx. 3, 3 €)
- Uvac (boat ride tour and a visit to Ledena cave) 1100 din – optional (approx. 8.9 €)
- Sirogojno entrance ticket 150 RSD (approx 1, 2 €)
- Meals
- Individual costs
Accommodation
We will spend the night next door to the monastery in a modest but cozy hotel run by the monks.
Payment
The promotional price is valid up to 15 days prior to departure. The minimal number of passengers needed is 30. In case of changes on the monetary market or a smaller number of passengers the organizer reserves the right to change the price, change the program or cancel the trip at the latest 5 days before the departure. In case a passenger cancels the cancellation rates of YUTA are applied. The trip can be paid on installments – 50% before the trip, the rest on installments according to prior agreement.
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