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#serbiacreatesinspiration

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Contact July 2020

GOLIJA RESILIENCE

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Radiša Živković

The view from the highest Church of the Holy Apostles peak of Western Serbia Peter and Paul is a marvel Jankov kamen is breathtaking of ecclesiastic architecture

Jeep safari is an adventure Tičar lake created its own which is rarely found in waterbed and found a other parts of Serbia source of water underground

Massive meditation

Hidden within rocky peaks of the Stari-Vlah #serbiacreatesinspiration Raška mountains lies the massive . Photo: Marija Obrenović Quiet, peaceful, and warm, yet quick and untamed. Life here is faster than ever. Thoughts burst, uncontrolled, and replicate themselves. For a dash of serenity, we need to clear out the busy highways of our minds, filled with blazing cars and 15-second flashing billboards. And how? Have a seat at the tallest mountain peak in Western Serbia – Jankov kamen – observe your breathing, calm your mind, and here comes clarity. Freedom. Tranquility. Shhh... P.S. If thoughts do keep bugging you, just remember the Tičar lake. It came to being by accident, but remained a lake by creating its own waterbed and finding a source of water underground. Resilience is key! How to get there? Visiting all the destinations in this region:

· 531 km from , in 10 h 59 min Car

· 599 km from Novi Sad, in 11 h 34 min Bus · 530 km from Niš, in 12 h 31 min

1. Golija mountain

The untamed beauty Golija, rich in oak, beech, spruce and fir is a unique by its incredible and untouched nature. The trees rise up to 40m. This mountain is also known for its numerous clear water sources.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Radiša Živković

Rooms & Where to stay? Apartments Recommended accommodation:

Golijski konaci () Pansion Nebo () ❶ – prices start at 3,000 RSD ❺ – prices start at 3,200 RSD Household Šekler (Rudno) Ethno village Gradačka ❷ – prices start at 3,500 RSD ❻ () – prices start at 4,200 RSD Villa Selena (Rudno) Villa Jela (Odvraćenica) ❸ – prices start at 4,000 RSD ❼ – prices start at 2,400 RSD Brvnara Orlovo gnezdo (Rudno) Villa Ivanović (Odvraćenica) ❹ – prices start at 2,800 RSD ❽ – prices start at 1,000 RSD

What to eat? #serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Bojan Pavluković

Domestic food prepared with love and a lot of imagination. Traditional food from the region: Rudnjanski cheese, local cream cheese, buckweat bread, pie, porridge and pancakes. Households usually offer their guests lunch and dinner, but you can also try food outside your accommodation.

❶ Restaurant within the Household Šekler (Rudno) ❷ Hotel restaurant Golija (Odvraćenica)

The nearest well-supplied shops are in the center of Rudno and Odvraćenica.

What to do?

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: WR7

HIKING CYCLING Jankov kamen is the highest peak Cycling route Golijska – Preko in Golija (1,833 m) and South brdo – Jankov kamen – Babića brdo Serbia. The path is 9,100 m long – Golijska reka is 12 km long. The first and can be crossed in around part of the route to Jankov kamen is 3 hours, in a light walk. Golija suitable for the light ride up the hill, offers great many hiking trails. and the other part of the trail is lighter More information here. and recommended for recreation. More information here.

JEEP SAFARI MONASTERY Hotel Golija organizes this The monastery is in the UNESCO adventure; price is 4,500 RSD per intangible cultural heritage list. It person; more information here or offers bed and breakfast, and huge call +381 66 67 76 311. free parking. The entrance is free.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Marija Kocić

GORNJA ISPOSNICA SVETOG SAVE Hermitage is the architectural pearl in the rock. It resembles the Greek Meteora, only 100 years older. Getting to this hermitage is a challenge and adventure, it requires good physical fitness. Walking path starts from the main road Ušće – Mlanča.

WATERFALLS OF THE RIVER IZUBRA Through the fairytale-like centenarian beech, spruce and fir forest, river Izubra flows towards Studenica in dozens of smaller and bigger slopes, forming a unique natural sculpture. More information on this trail (5 km) from Dević to waterfall Izubre here.

TIČAR JEZERO (DAJIĆKO) There are numerous legends and myths about this lake. It is in a thick coniferous forest in the Tičar jezero village . Lake water used to slowly melt rocks on its bottom, so the lake tub got deeper and the water comes from that bottom even today.

NEBESKA SUZA ROMAN BRIDGE Lake known as Okruglica One of the famous Golija monuments and a magnificent viewpoint is the roman bridge dating probably in are on 1,495 m; from the Nemanjić dynasty, located the lake appeared after the in the bottom of the mountain. It is earthquake in Romania in 1974. 14m long and 2,40 m wide.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Milan Mandić

A FEW TIPS

• You can get to or by bus. From Ivanjica to village Kumanica on Golija, you can take a taxi for a price of around 1,000 RSD. From Novi Pazar to mountain center Odvraćenica, taxi ride costs around 700 RSD. • Hike, hike, hike – Golija offers wonderful trails and views. • Most mobile operators have a poor signal on most locations. This isn’t entirely bad since it results in less calls and messages...

2. and Mučanj

Javor is located between Nova Varoš, Ivanjica and Sjenica. Following the river , from the bottom of the mountain, you reach mountain Mučanj with a most stunning view. These Stari Vlah-Raška mountains are really dynamic: you start from Golija, jump over to Javor, then Mučanj and finally Rogozna. Just like hopscotch – fun and interesting.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Dejan Krsmanović

How to get · 70 km from Golija to Javor, in 2 h there? · 75 km from Golija to Mučanj, in 1 h 40 min Car

Where to stay? Recommended accommodation:

Rooms & Villa Angelina (Javor) Apartments ❶ – prices start at 2,000 RSD Pansion Obradović (Mučanj) ❷ – prices start at 2,800 RSD

What to do?

HIKING CLIMBING – JERININ GRAD We recommend a light walk The trail to Mučanj peak is 17 km on the trail in Kušići. More long, and takes between 4 and 5 information here. Hiking from hours to get there. The trail starts Kušići to Vasilijin on Javor from village Katići and goes to the (10,7 km, in 3 h). Marked map of very peak of Mučanj Jerinin grad the trail can be seen here. (1,534 m). The view is amazing and breathtaking. The trail is for mountaineers of all ages. It is marked according to the Serbian Mountaineering Association; the map of Mučanj trail can be found here.

CYCLING Ivanjica mountains also offers cycling tracks. We recommend cycling from Mučanj to Katići- it is a real adventure; the route can be found here. Or cycling from Ivanjica to Javor over Kušići (Sjenica) – information on the track here.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Where to eat? Photo: Taddeus

❶ Restaurant “Mali Odmor” ❷ Restaurant Major

A FEW TIPS

• If the tracks are too long, you can also drive. • With more than 200 sunny days per year, pleasant climate, rich vegetable world, no air pollution and noise, vacation on Javor mountain is great for your health.

3. Rogozna

Rivers Raška and make an island together with steep mountain slopes. Rogozna used to be a part of the volcanic massive that became inactive 5,000 years ago. According to scientists, it is the youngest extinct volcano in Europe. What a title!

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Slobodan Radovanović

• There are no buses, 75 km only privately arranged from Golija, in 1 h 50 min transportation.

Where to stay?

There is no categorized Tourist resort Ras accommodation on ❶ (Pazarište) – prices start mountain Rogozna. The at 2,250 RSD nearest recommended accommodation is in the tourist center Odvraćenica on Golija or in Novi Pazar.

What to do?

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Nedžad Crnovršanin

HIKING – JELEČ GRAD You can hike to the highest paleo- volcano in Serbia – Jeleč grad (4 km) and then continue to the highest peak of Rogozna Crni Vrh. Jeleč grad (1,265 m) is the highest volcanic cone and it also preserves the remains of the Medieval military fortification. This fortress is a protected cultural monument, but entirely neglected. For more information contact Društvo mladih putnika “Jeleč“ from Novi Pazar.

HIKING MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES Mirova staza zdravlja (16 km) begins Besides the monasteries Đurđevi in Novi Pazar spa; it is not demanding stupovi and Sopoćani, you should visit and also suitable for cycling. The the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter track to Koprivnica (14 km) starts from and Paul; it is the oldest monument of Novi Pazar spa and leads to village ecclesiastic architecture in Serbia. It Koprivnica where you can visit river originates from Byzantine period; the Jovska and a waterfall. Guided tour is remains of the frescoes are from the 5,000 RSD. Call +381 64 33 76 531. 10th, 12th and 13th century.

#serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Nedžad Crnovršanin

Where to eat? #serbiacreatesinspiration Photo: Green Mountain

There are no restaurants in Rogozna. The nearest restaurant is in Golija or in Novi Pazar. We recommend Pazar kebab and mantije (meat pie):

❶ Roštilj Beko – good kebab ❷ Roštilj kod Jonuza – best Pazar kebab ❸ Sve pod sač – best Pazar mantije and pies

The nearest shop is in the small village Šalinoviće, but it does not work every day. The safest option is to take the highway exit near Kruševac bridge, and there you will find a big market. Novi Pazar has several shops.

A FEW TIPS

• Hiking trails on Rogozna are not marked, so try to get enough information in advance. • There is an unmarked but visible beaten track from Jeleč. Be careful, one can easily get lost.