Serbia Culture Trails
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SERBIA CULTURE TRAILS Serbia culture trails The Balkans, with roots firmly planted in European culture, is a region of interrupted memories. Though civilizations have perished, their traces have been preserved by geogra- phy, culture and language. With each new ruler, fragments of history were either protected, as embodied by beautifully conserved fortresses, destroyed, as evidenced by remnants of pagan temples, churches and monasteries, or left to crumble, as reflected by long vanished imperial palaces. Today, you can recapture the memories of Serbia's European past through various points in time, discovering their hidden magic. Across serene mountain ranges and at the confluence of spectacular rivers and valleys, ancient civilizations sought out hidden, special places which empowered them to collectively create ideas, erect settlements and establish the foundations on which modern Serbia rests. From the bustling city centers of Belgrade and Novi Sad, to the gently sloping valleys of the central Šumadija region, to the banks of the mighty Danube, Serbia offers some of the very best cultural travel experiences in Central and Eastern Europe. Discover cultural remnants of the Roman era, explore the hideaways of long-ago Emperors, and wander through exqui- site Romanesque-Byzantine monasteries on one of the three culture trails promoted by the National Tourist Organization of Serbia. The Trail of the Roman Emperor, Transromanica: The Romanesque Routes of European Heritage, and Castles on the Danube embody the ethos of more than three civilizations that developed in present day Serbia. These trails provide a unique purview into the spirit of modern Serbia and its inextricable connection to contemporary Europe. Milena Dragićević Šešić TRA IL OF THE ROMAN EMPERORS Did you know? Serbia’s Danube river valley was once the far eastern corner of the Roman Empire. In the 3rd century B.C., the Empire was hard at work expanding its territory to the north part of present day Serbia, along the turbulent shores of the Danube. Conquering the valley was no simple task for the Roman soldiers. They faced hostile barbarian tribes at every corner as they secured the territory, erecting formidable fortresses along the way. Increasing stability attracted merchants and craftsmen, and soon settlements across the previously marginalized into some of the Empire’s most thriving cultural and commercial centers. The ancient Roman province of Illyricum produced seventeen Emperors, some who would dramatically shape the history and culture of present day Serbia. On the Trail of the Roman Emperors, you will discover ancient Roman towns, roads, ruins and artifacts, many singled out by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. You will be transported back to a time when the Danube marked the eastern reaches of the Roman Empire. Felix Romuliana in Gamzigrad: A Palace Fit for an Emperor Felix Romuliana, the glorious palace of Roman Emperor Galerius Valerius Maximi- anus is located in Gamzigrad, in the mountains of Eastern Serbia. Emperor Galerius built the palace in the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D., named after his mother Romula, to commemorate the place of his birth. The palace, which features beautiful frescoes and mosaic floors, is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of Roman palace architecture. (UNESCO) Viminacium: Metropolis on the Danube Viminacium was a major city and military establishment of Roman Moesia between the 4th and 1st centuries B.C. During the reign of Emperor Gordian III (239 B.C.), Viminacium received colony status, the highest status awarded by the Empire, which allowed the city to mint its own coins and grant its inhabitants Roman citizenship. Viminacium is the present day town of Kostolac, located on the banks of the Danube. The extraordinary discovery in recent years of 14,000 tombs in the city's cemeteries has unearthed impressive frescoes and revealed the vast wealth of Viminacium's inhabitants. Diana and Pontes, Tabula Traiana, Emperor Trajan's Road: Ancient Life on the Danube For 10,000 years, the Danube region has undergone extraordinary transitions in cultures and civilizations. During the Roman period, the Danube was an important wateway, and its banks, particularly at Đerdap Gorge, served as strategic locations largest in this system of fortresses. The ancient road surrounding the sites was perhaps the most representative example of Rome's construction prowess in the region. The Tabula Traiana plaque marks the section of the road along the Danube River leading to Đerdap. It is believed that this last, most complicated section of the road was completed in the year 100 A.D. and was significant in Emperor Traian's preparations for warfare against the Dacians. Sirmium: The Heart of Roman Pannonia Singidunum: The Belgrade of Long Ago In 294 B.C., Sirmium, or present day Sremska Mitrovica was one of the four Known today as Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city, Singidunum was settled by Celtic capitals of the Roman Empire. Founded in the 1st century B.C., the city at the tribes prior to the arrival of the Romans in the 1st century B.C. Strategically located heart of Pannonia featured an extensive system of roads, aqueducts, theaters and at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the city became one of the primary fortresses, making it one of the Empire’s key transit and commercial centers. Ten settlements of the Roman province of Moesia, and was the birthplace of the Roman Roman emperors were born in the vicinity of Sirmium. With the decline of the Emperor Jovian. Singidunum reached its height with the arrival of the Legion IV Empire toward the end of the 4th century, Sirmium was conquered by the Goths Flavia Felix in 86 AD. The legion erected a rectangular fort in the upper town, today's and eventually ruled by Huns and Gepidaes, both barbarian tribes. Kalemegdan. Naissus: Birthplace of Constantine the Great Justiniana Prima: New Illyricum Capital Naissus, or the present day city of Niš, is the birthplace of Constantine the Great, Present day Caričin grad was once known as Justiniana Prima, one of the largest and the first Christian Roman Emperor and founder of Constantinople. To accommo- most important Byzantine cities in the Balkans. It is the namesake of Emperor date his frequent stays in the Balkans between 317 and 334 A.D., Constantine Justinian. Located in the Leskovac valley and founded in 535 A.D., the city was erected a spectacular palace in Mediana, one of the luxurious suburbs of ancient named the capital of the Illyricum province. The city is a testament to classical and Naissus. The residence was elaborately built complete with thermal baths, a Christian elements in spatial planning and architecture: streets with porticos, a granary, water supply system and aqueduct. It was lavishly decorated with basilica, protective walls and an aqueduct system. colorful marble, frescoes and the well-preserved geometric mosaic floors covering . ONE-DAY EXCURSIONS Justiniana Prima: the Emperor's City: Gamzigrad and Felix Romuliana Departing from and returning to Niš by minibus, site Departing from and returning to Niš by minibus, site visits and activities in for this one-day excursion visits and activities in for this one-day excursion include: include: - Visit the museum, tour the Timacum minus Roman - Tour the Roman archeological site and sample archeological site, and town center of Knjaževac Serbian delights in the city of Bela Palanka - Tour the ethno-archeological park and enjoy a rustic - Visit the 4th century AD Divljana monastery complex, breakfast in the town of Rabna which includes the two churches and an 800 year old - Visit the town museum in the town of Zaječar, which oak tree features artifacts from Felix Romuliana - Tour Justiniana Prima - Tour the ancient Roman spa in the city of Gamzigrad - Enjoy lunch and tour the remains of an ancient - Tour Felix Romuliana Roman Spa featuring 18 thermal mineral springs - Visit the miner’s settlement of Rtanj, the Russian before returning to Niš church and gravesite of a Russian count in the village of Adrovac, and enjoy lunch in the city of Sokobanja Operated by: Easy Travel before returning to Niš Operated by: Easy Travel Viminacium by Hydrofoil Felix Romuliana an d Zaječar Departing from and returning to Belgrade, sites and Departing from and returning to Belgrade, sites and activities of this one-day hydrofoil tour include: activities of this one-day bus tour include: - Sightseeing in Viminacium and Kostolac - Tour Felix Romuliana in Gamzigrad - Tour the Smederevo and Ram Fortresses and lunch - Visit the town museum in the town of Zaječa r, which at Srebrno Jezero (Silver Lake) features artifacts from Felix Romuliana - Visit Roman archeological site in Vinča before - T raditional buffet lunch at the Turkish Water Mill returning to Belgrade restaurant in Zaječar before returning to Belgrade Operated by: Magelan Travel Agency Operated by: Magelan Travel Agency TWO-DAY EXCURSIONS Felix Romuliana and Viminacium by Hydrofoil Viminacium, Naissus and Felix Romuliana Departing from and returning to Belgrade, sites and activities Departing from and returning to Belgrade, sites and for this two-day hydrofoil tour include: activities fort this two-day bus tour include: Day 1: Day 1: - Tour Felix Romuliana in Gamzigrad - Tour and enjoy lunch in Viminacium - Visit the town museum in the town of Zaječa r, which - Tour Naissus, birthplace of Constantine the Great and features artifacts from Felix Romuliana present day city of Niš - Traditional buffet lunch at the Turkish Water Mill restaurant