Telenet Hotels Network | Villa "Dzervin", Knjazevac Media Center Stara Planina Phone: +38164 5558581; +38161 6154768; www.booking-hotels.biz [email protected]

Villa "Dzervin", Knjazevac

Dzervin villa is a catering facility, one of the symbols of Knjazevac. It was erected in 1939 on the estate of ?ordje Cvetkovic [1872-1857], for which a castle in Karlove Vari spa [Czech Republic] was used as a model. It is situated on the hill of D | Ervin and occupies and outstanding position. Today it is owned by Dzervin PLC, agricultural and food - processing company and can provide catering services [having the kitchen, restaurant, garden and 14 beds].

Knjazevac region was inhabited in the prehistoric time, the first settlements in Baranica, Skodrino Polje, Dubrava etc, the drawing of a horseman in Gabrovnica and other numerous archeological finds testify about.

The classical chronicler Plinius [second century BC] recorded that this area belonged to the Roman province of Moesia inhabited by Thracians, Dardanians and other peoples and who, in the symbiosis with the Slavic tribes had formed the local native population called Putuklije.

The Roman fort Timacum Minus, situated in the vicinity of the village , with its excavated ramparts, parts of the civil settlement and the rich necropolis, explains about the period of the history of Knjazevac region by the Middle Age. The romains of another late classical town of Timacum Maius were discovered in the town itself.

page 1 / 14 Stara Planina Serbia The West Stara Planina [West Balkan] mountains are situated on the border between Bulgaria and Serbia and Montenegro. The project area covers approximately 4,000 square kilometres with 200,000 inhabitants on both sides of the border. It runs through four municipalities, in Bulgaria Belogradchik, Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi and Chuprene and four municipalities in Serbia and Montenegro Dimitrovgrad, Zajecar, Knjazevac and Pirot Shared natural resources West Stara Planina is known for its rich biological and geological diversity, as well as its cultural heritage. In Serbia and Montenegro, a nature park has been established which comprises the whole territory of the mountain. In Bulgaria, 17 protected areas of national or international importance have been declared, such as the Chuprene Biosphere Reserve, the Belogradchishki Skali Nature Monument, the Kopren-Tri Chuki Protected Area, and the Gornata Koriya Strict Nature Reserve. In the framework of the Coordination of Information on the Environment [CORINE] Biotop project, a site of 47,000 hectares in the West Balkans in Bulgaria was identified as being of high importance for conservation at the European level. In 1996 the ministries of Bulgaria and what was then Yugoslavia signed a memorandum to create a transboundary Peace Park, and a nature park was designated in Serbia. In March 2003, as a result of studies under the WSP project by biodiversity experts, a proposal for designating a nature park in Bulgaria was submitted to Ministry of Environment and Water and the procedure was started. A smaller nature park, Belogradchishki Skali, is being designed in response to a local initiative. Socio-economic situation The WSP region is a marginal area for both Serbia and Montenegro and Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian part is considered a priority for development under the Action Plan for Regional Development. There is no significant industry in the region and a high percentage of the population is on social aid, which puts pressure on the natural resources of the mountain. The area is characterised as a less favoured area. There is a significant threat of abandonment, and the landscape is in need of maintenance. The population of West Stara Planina has been dropping and ageing for decades. Most households in Bulgaria have a single source of income, many rely on social policy [pensions and social aid] and some rely on help from abroad. In Serbia the rural population mostly relies on pensions and small-scale agriculture. The economy in Bulgaria is characterised by fruit [berries] production, small-scale owners and more abandoned land than in Serbia. In Serbia, animal breeding is common, for which there is high interest. People own more land than in Bulgaria on average, there is more use of agricultural machinery, and agricultural production is decreasing. Both sides suffer from trade/marketing problems. There is also a lack of cooperatives and state support [policy], and a degradation of human-dependent resources. There is some potential for beekeeping to provide additional income. There is strong interest in the development of ecotourism and significant potential for it. Currently, visitors are transitory and are mostly attracted by: - natural areas and landscapes; - cultural monuments and religious sites [monasteries, churches, traditional architecture]; and - crafts [carpetry, icons, knitting], products [kashkaval, urda, belmuz, maslo], and traditional lifestyles. ______People to People Activities First 'Old Mountain - New Bridges' festival - Pirot, 2002 At the get everyone involved meeting, the festival was proposed as a promotional event for the region. The first festival was organised in Pirot, Serbia and involved more than 100 children, who performed songs and dances from West Stara Planina, and 30 teachers from the region. One of the events during the festival was a round table discussion for teachers, where a Declaration for Cooperation on Future Joint Activities was signed and a transboundary network of teachers was formed. The festival proved to be highly effective for promoting and forming partnerships and has become a traditional platform for dialogue. Second 'Old Mountain New Bridges' festival - Belogradchik, 2003 The Second Bulgarian-Serbian 'Old Mountain New Bridges' festival was held from June 12th to 15th as a follow-up to the first festival, at which it was decided that the festival should become an annual celebration and a platform for transboundary dialogue. The event promoted the region and the culture of its people on a wide scale. 20 Bulgarian and seven Serbian media outlets covered the festival. A CD-ROM with authentic music from the region and a videotape about the festival were produced. The festival also drew attention to the mountain with a traditional celebration of the natural and cultural traditions of WSP. 130 children and 40 other artists participated in the festival. A crafts and local products fair proved to be an effective and direct way of promoting the craftsmen. The festival served as a platform for transboundary dialogue with two round table discussions, one for NGOs and one for the media. The NGO round table resulted in a declaration of cooperation and coordinated NGO activities in the future. The media round table resulted in a network of WSP media. The Belogradchik Municipality and many local people were actively involved in the organisation of the festival, which helped to bring local ownership to the project. A CD with photos, a movie and music from the event is available upon request from the project team. Carpet exhibition - Dimitrovgrad, April 6-7, 2004 An exhibition of Pirot and Chiprovtzi carpets, and more than 50 photos of carpets, was opened in Dimitrovgrad. This presented these two schools of carpet making together for the first time. Representatives of Bulgarian and Serbian NGOs who have carried out small grants projects in crafts presented their experiences with the natural coloring of wool, traditional sheep breeding in WSP and the link between carpets and ecotourism. Two representatives of the Bulgarian Parliament also attended the exhibition and were interested in being further involved in activities in the region. The exhibition was very successful in presenting the transboundary connections between Chiprovtzi and Pirot carpets. Further efforts should focus on activities that link the two carpet schools, and promote natural coloring and the trademark carpets from WSP. Third 'Old Mountain New Bridges' festival - Pirot, 2004 The festival gathered, for the third time, children, mayors, and ecotourism and agriculture stakeholders from both sides of the border to work together and to celebrate the nature and culture of the mountain. The festive part included a concert of authentic folklore and exhibitions of artists and photographers from Serbia, that focus on West Stara

page 2 / 14 Planina in their work. On the work side, there were three roundtable: One on ecotourism, another on environmentally-friendly agriculture, and a roundtable of mayors. Regional Fair of Balkan Agrobiodiversity and Rural Heritage - Dimitrovgrad, September 2003 and September 2004 The project supported the organization of two fairs on Balkan Agrobiodiversity and Rural Heritage, with the primary aim of presenting and promoting indigenous breeds, and traditional products and crafts from across the Balkans. There were participants from all Balkan countries, including from West Stara Planina and Skadar Lake, at the first fair. The second fair hosted a SAVE-financed conference on Rare Balkan Breeds, and provided a platform for presenting a REC-supported project - Interactive Farm - in the vicinities of Dimitrovgrad. The fairs received very high publicity and were very successful in promoting integrated rural development in West Stara Planina. West Balkan Summer Festival 2005 From July 11 to August 20, the cross-border region of West Stara Planina hosted a summer festival comprising 10 cultural events organised on both the Bulgarian and Serbian sides of the border. The programme kicked off with the Bulgarian rock festival Berkstock and finished with the Serbian rock festival Gitariada. The Bulgarian-Serbian fair at Salash- proved to be one of the most interesting events: borders were opened and participants crossed over to taste each others local cuisines. Lovers of ancient religious rituals could experience the celebration of the obrok in Chiprovtzi, made on Ilinden, while nature lovers could take part in traditional mountain festivals in Berkovitza, Gorni Lom and Chuprene. All these were planned and initiated at a transboundary forum of mayors organised during a project in the village of Burzia, Berkovitza. The project also assisted in developing a joint public relations campaign for the festival programme, and in the exchange of participants among the villages. For more information, please visit the www.westbalkanfestivals.info. Third Regional Fair of Balkan Agro-biodiversity and Rural Heritage The Third Regional Fair of Balkan Agro-biodiversity and Rural Heritage was organised in Dimitrovgrad, Republic of Serbia, on September 24. The fair aimed to promote indigenous breeds of livestock and know-how in animal husbandry and to facilitate cross-border cooperation between different stakeholders. More than 20 indigenous breeds from the Balkans were presented, together with local handcrafts [e.g. carpets from Pirot and Chiprovtzy], apicultural and organic products, traditional dairy products, traditional meals and dishes, and traditional folk dances from Pirot and Dimitrovgrad. The fair was officially opened by Suzana Djordjevic Milosevic, deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and water management of the Republic of Serbia; Vesna Mijalkovic, chief of the Pirot District, and Veselin Velickov, the mayor of Dimitrovgrad. ______West Stara Planina Hiking Trail - Bulgaria A walking trail, running approximately 200 km through WSP in Bulgaria was traced and marked in 2004. The trail starts in the town of Berkovitza and goes through small villages and towns, including Chiprovtzi, Gorni Lom, Chuprene, and ends in the town of Belogradchik. The route was developed by local stakeholders from all involved municipalities and biodiversity and tourism experts and follows the most attractive natural and cultural sites in the region, making the trip an exciting and remarkable hiking experience. Fifteen young people from across Europe developed the signage during a two-week volunteer camp, and about 60 other local people were involved in the route development as guides, organizers and providers of local accommodation and food. Participants from Serbia were involved in the whole process and are currently preparing a similar initiative on the Serbian side. The route united local efforts and will serve as a basis for developing a complex joint ecotourism product. Workshop on the future of the walking trail and development of tourist information centers in the region, September 2004 The workshop gathered all key participants in the trail's development and resulted in marking concrete activities for the routes development: finishing the signalization, interpretation, and the construction of light infrastructure. West Balkan hiking trail in West Stara Planina With the aim of designing a joint West Balkan hiking trail and attracting tourists, a small project was launched in July involving villages in West Stara Planina. Four Bulgarian municipalities Berkovitza, Belogradchik, Chiprovtzi, and Chuprene have received support to form a regional association that will spearhead regional tourism development. The project team provided training to local citizens from 10 settlements along the trail on on how to receive tourists and register houses for guests. Support has been provided for developing light infrastructure along the 150 km trail, including information and interpretation boards, small shelters and resting places. Assistance was also provided for developing a network of four tourist information centres. To date, three such centres have been opened: in Chuprene, Gorni Lom and Chiprovtzi. A previously existing centre in Belogradchik has been further equipped. Tourism experts provided help and guidance to local people on how to develop tourisms services. A set of promotional materials and tourist maps are being developed, and a regional tourist website is also under preparation. ______Local Initiatives Programme Nineteen small grants projects were financed, and local NGOs were trained in project proposal writing, project management and financial reporting under the programme. There were 14 applications [11 approved] in Bulgaria and 18 [eight approved] in Serbia. Seven of the projects in Bulgaria involved cross-border cooperation. Even though the programme was announced separately in Bulgaria and Serbia, many projects covered the same topics and links have been formed. Issues of common interest appear to be: traditional crafts [natural carpet colouring in Chiprovtzi and Pirot], development of eco-trails [two projects in Bulgaria and one in Serbia], promotion of natural and cultural values [catalogues and leaflets], educational activities for children [three projects with transboundary elements], as well as concrete conservation activities [three projects]. During the application process, NGOs in Bulgaria actively sought guidance in the preparation of project proposals. The NGOs received strong support from the local authorities and institutions [REI Montana, Game Breeding Station Belogradchik, Museum of Natural History Belogradchik] and thus multiple stakeholders were involved in small grants projects. The Nature Protection Society was formed in Belogradchik as a result of the small grants programme. Projects in Bulgaria Project name: Promoting the natural attractions and biodiversity of West Stara Planina Organisation: Nature Protection Society, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,996 Summary: The main aim of the project was to promote the natural attractions and biodiversity of West Stara Planina and thus to raise the public's awareness in the region of the natural environment and promoting it to tourists. This aim was achieved through the publishing and distribution of 1,000 copies of a 24-page, A5, full-color booklet, presenting the beautiful

page 3 / 14 nature of West Stara Planina. This product was distributed to educational and administrative institutions, state forestries and game-breeding stations, the municipalities of Belogradchik, Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi and Chuprene, non-governmental organisations, information centres and tourist areas in the region. Project name: Initiation of eco-tourism in the village of Chuprene Organisation: Chitalishte [Culture Club] Hristo Botev Municipality: Chuprene Budget: EUR 1,800 Summary: The aim of the project was to initiate eco-tourism activities in Chuprene and to contribute to making the unspoiled nature of the region [e.g. UNESCO's Chuprene Biosphere Reserve] a factor in economic growth. The project trained 30 local people in the principles of ecotourism and repaired a 6-kilometre eco-trail. It also promoted Chuprene by distributing a brochure and conducting an official opening of the eco-trail with more than 100 guests. Project name: Local natural values, a source of livelihoods, culture and life Organisation: Association Youth Centre for Development of Belogradchik Municipality, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,849 Summary: The project aimed to unify the efforts of craftsmen, non-governmental organisations and representatives of the Belogradchik Municipality interested in promoting traditional crafts in the region and helping the craftsmen market those products. The main results of the project were: - establishing an exhibition centre for local crafts; - establishing an association of craftsmen in the Belogradchik area; and - promoting local crafts through a brochure of the exhibition centre; a website; and an official opening of the centre. Project name: West Balkan with clean nature and preserved cultural values Organisation: Ivan Vazov Culture House, Berkovitza Budget: EUR 1,900 Summary: The project aimed at developing long-term cooperation and joint activities of the Ivan Vazov Culture House in Berkovitza and the Zajecar Cultural Society to establish a region of friendship, the exchange of cultural products, and joint initiatives for raising nature awareness through art. This was achieved through the development of health trails in Berkovitza and Zajechar and an official opening of the trail and celebration a Bulgarian-Serbian festival. The main target group is the children from Berkovitza and Zajecar municipalities and the different educational institutions in the region are partners to the project. Project name: West Stara Planina natural and cultural attractions Organisation: Balkan Civil Coalition, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,994 Summary: The project's major aim was raising the awareness of the public from the project municipalities in Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia about the natural and cultural attractions of West Stara Planina and their better preservation. The project's achievements were: - development of a catalogue of main attractions, as well as two promotional videos; - promotion of the region by publishing the catalogue on the Internet and broadcasting the movies on local TV channels in Bulgaria and Serbia; and - publishing a joint catalogue and CD-ROM with the four promotional videos for Bulgaria and Serbia. Project name: Preservation of protected old trees in the territory of Belogradchik, Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi and Chuprene municipalities Organisation: Balkan United Sports Club, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,479 Summary: Twenty-seven old trees are protected within the four municipalities of Belogradchik, Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi and Chuprene, but many of them are in poor condition. The major aim of this project was to help to preserve these trees and to draw the local population's attention along with the institutions responsible to the problem. The project's activities were supported by the Regional Environmental Inspectorate. Its main results were: - sanitising the damaged trees, repairing fences and posting informational signs [with age, size and species]; - conducting an awareness raising campaign by distributing leaflets in all municipalities and settlements where the trees are found; and - publishing and distributing a leaflet with a map of the location of the trees and basic information about them for the public and tourists. Project name: Natural colouring the ancient tradition of Chiprovtzi carpet as an alternative for tourism development Organisation: Council of Tourism, Chiprovtzi Budget: EUR 1,640 Summary: This project sought to revive, preserve and promote the ancient tradition of natural colouring. To promote the tradition among the community, an educational seminar was carried out, and a one-day course in herb-gathering was held. The experience and knowledge of natural colouring was put into practice by making a botanical garden with the herbs used in colouring, establishing a demonstration colouring centre and holding a herbarium exposition. The botanical garden will be included in the tourist package for Chiprovtzi. The project was supported by Chiprovtzi Municipality, which provided personnel for the construction and landscaping. Project name: Preservation and enrichment of the biodiversity in Chiprovtzi region Organisation: Chiprovtzi Patriotic Society, Chiprovtzi Budget: EUR 1,850 Summary: The idea of the project was to reintroduce plant species that had become extinct from the Chiprovtzi region due to overuse in the process of natural carpet colouring, which is a traditional practice in Chiprovtzi. Project partners included the local forestry department, the local high school and the Chiprovtzi Municipality. The project's main results were: - reforestation of eroded landscapes with the mentioned species; - creation of green areas along the river and in the schoolyard; and - increased awareness of sustainable plant use among carpet producers and young people through an informational brochure, posters and seminars. Project name: Exploration of the natural, historical and cultural values of the Zbegove eco-trail Organisation: Organisation of Bulgarian Scouts, Belogradchishki skali Scouts Club, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,965 Summary: The main aims of the project were to raise the awareness of the local population about the environmental problems of the region and to promote its natural and cultural values as part of West Stara Planina mountain. Through various activities [ecological, biological, historical activities, exploration and art contests], which involved scout clubs from Belogradchik and Knjazevac and students from Belogradchik High School, young people gained theoretical and practical knowledge, and skills related to the special characteristics of the trail. Promoting the values of the eco-trail [information billboard, expositions and video] contributed to raising tourists' interest in the region. The process of project implementation contributed to the institutional development of the organisation [buying camping equipment for the scouts] and its cooperation with the Serbian partners. Project name: Old mountain new bridges Organisation: Information Business Center for Regional Development, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,000 Summary: The project's aim was to improve contacts and partnerships and realise joint projects with NGOs from both sides of West Stara Planina. The project involved a trans-boundary roundtable of more than 20 local NGOs working on nature protection on both sides. Major results of the project include the signing of a declaration of future cooperation between the NGOs and the development of a transboundary NGO network. Project name: Preservation of the karst formations of Belogradchik anticline Organisation:

page 4 / 14 Belogradchik Rocks Tourist Association, Belogradchik Budget: EUR 1,992 Summary: The project aimed to promote the Belogradchik karst formations within the local population and to tourists in order to attract public involvement in their preservation. The main results of the project are: - children and interested participants trained in cave exploration; - expeditions for taking inventory of the caves; - marked the entrances of the caves and putting up information boards; and - organised a transboundary workshop and photo exhibition. Cover story 1 Project name: Protected ancient trees in West Stara Planina Valentin Yanchelov, Balkan Spots Club, Belogradchik, Bulgaria Ancient trees are the living history of nature, a real treasure worthy of preservation. The Balkan Sports Club in Belogradchik implemented a project aiming to preserve ancient trees in Belogradchik, Chuprene, Chiprovtzi and Berkovitza. Project activities included sanitising damaged trees, posting updated signs with information on the species, dimensions and age of each tree, and distributing brochures and maps of the 27 protected trees in the area. Ancient trees are usually lonely remnants of magnificent forests. Mute witnesses of historic events, they are the focus of many legends and beliefs. Throughout human history, ancient trees have been highly esteemed or even worshipped. The sacred tree, often a symbol of godly life, was depicted in the oldest Egyptian and Assyrian monuments. In Bulgaria these traditions were reflected in the sacrificial rituals and the posting of crosses connected to the patron saint of a given area. This ancient tradition is extremely popular in Northwest Bulgaria and is called obrok or podkrust. Obroks are made in the fields, outside of villages, and always under a huge, old tree, usually oak, elm, lime or wallnut. Any tree over an obrok is considered sacred and should not be cut. Ancient trees are the keepers of many secrets. The science of dendrochronology examines tree rings to determine ancient climatic and ecological conditions. The rings provide centuries of information on wet and dry years, natural disasters, insect invasions, and more. Ancient trees are not only important environmentally, but also culturally and historically. Cover story 2 Small grant: Natural colouring the ancient tradition of Chiprovtzi carpet as an alternative for tourism development Milena Dimitrova, Tourism Council, Chiprovtzi. The aim of this project was to restore, preserve and promote the ancient tradition of natural colouring. Armed with knowledge on natural colouring, this year-long experience resulted in the live collection of colouring herbs, the construction of a demonstration colouring workplace and exposition tables with herbs. Natural colouring in carpet-weaving is a common practice that has taken place in Chiprovtzi for more than three centuries. Until the end of the 19th century the wool was dyed only through colours derived from nature. Many of the plants whose colouring capabilities are known are found freely in nature. There are others, however, that have become extinct or threatened. The project team planted herbs that are not widely found in the Chiprovtzi area. They are Rubua tinctorum, from which the root is used for dying red; Cathamus tinctoria, from which the flower is used to dye yellow; and Rhamnus cathartica, the fruit of which is used to dye redish-brown. Another project activity was the construction of a demonstration workshop, which will be used to organise hobby courses in natural colouring. The project also carried out educational activities for raising awareness of natural colouring: a one-day course on herb-gathering and a two-day course on natural colouring. A children's competition in natural colouring was organised with children from the existing natural colouring club. The project also involved printing a brochure on the natural colouring of Chiprovski carpets. Projects in Serbia Project name: Stara Planina - New bridges Organisation: The Timok Club, Knjazevac Budget: EUR 1,885 Summary: The aims of the project were setting the priorities and strategies for further sustainable development of the NGOs in the area of Stara Planina, media promotion of cross-border cooperation, updating the website and creating a directory of NGOs from the western part of Stara Planina. The project was realised through: - shared meetings of NGOs from Knjazevac, Zajechar, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad; - gathering information of NGOs and publishing the directory; and - organising two workshops from NGOs from Serbia and Bulgaria, and media campaigns [press conferences and TV appearances]. Project name: West Stara Planina - cultural and natural sights Organisation: Gurgusovac Educational Association, Knjazevac Budget: EUR 1,200 Summary: The aim of the project was to increase awareness in selected municipalities of Serbia and Bulgaria on natural and cultural resources of West Stara Planina and their preservation. The objectives were preparing and publishing a catalogue on landmarks, making two promotional films on natural historical sights of Serbia, presenting the films on Serbian and Bulgarian TV stations, and putting the catalogue of landmarks on the website . Project name: Along the paths of health, approaching Stara Planina for better cooperation between nations Organisation: Logos Teachers Association, Pirot Budget: EUR 1,957 Summary: The project intended to improve the conditions for developing eco-tourism. The realisation of the project will be done by making trails and publishing the first map and guide for nature fans of Stara Planina. The marking and maintenance of mountain trails, and their mapping and descriptions in a guide, serve as a model for other parts of Stara Planina, as well as the basis for initiating transborder cooperation. Project name: Colours of the Pirot's kilim Organisation: Association for Guarding and Developing Pirot's Kilim Weaving, Pirot Budget: EUR 1,990 Summary: This project focused on the original natural colouring of Pirot's carpets, as the unique carriers of territorial and ethnical code from Stara Planina region. The project was developed through the creation of prescriptions for wool dyeing, which will be published in the form of a catalogue/colour card. This project contributed to the process of quality standardisation of Pirot's carpets as an ecological product with a protected geographic origin, to obtaining a trademark for their sale on the global market, to promoting values of traditional prescriptions, and to preserving the tradition of weaving. Project name: Guidebook through Old Mountain Organisation: Pirgos Civic Library, Pirot Budget: EUR 1,200 Summary: The project sought to present and advertise the richness, diversity, uniqueness and possibilities of West Stara Planina. Activities of the project included fieldwork, presentations, and publishing and promotion of a guidebook. Target groups included the local population, local donors, young people, local authorities, media, as well as the stakeholders of tourism development in Stara Planina. Project name: Traditional cattle raising of West Stara Planina and its perspective Organisation: Dom Kulture Pirot Budget: EUR 1,968 Summary: The project involved the production of a monograph on cattle-raising in Stara Planina and strategies for its further development on the basis of the author's extensive knowledge concerning fieldwork, conditions, traditional lifestyles and economics, as well as the reasons for which numerous "measures and actions" were missing the target and making the situation worse. Objectives of

page 5 / 14 the project were research and analysis of the West Stara Planina area and informing the population, making the results available to the local media. Project name: Holy places of the region of Caribrod Organisation: Cultural Informative Center of the Bulgarian Caribrod ethnic minority, Dimitrovgrad Budget: EUR 800 Summary: The project involved registration, research and the preparation of facts about the churches and monasteries in the Dimitrovgrad area. The information collected was processed and presented to the public in the form of a catalogue, and all the facts collected during realisation of the project were placed on a CD-ROM. The project was carried out through the collection of information in the field, from literature, archives, museums, etc. Project name: Municipalities of Zajechar, Knjazevac, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad Organisation: Network of 4 Municipalities [consolidated proposal] Budget: EUR 9,000 Summary: This consolidated proposal was designed by four municipalities involved in the implementation of REReP 4.3.23. from the Serbian side [Zajechar, Knjazevac, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad] and was aimed at enhancing their computer hardware through the purchase of eight PCs, which were delivered to municipalities by the REC's country office in Serbia and Montenegro and intended to be utilised by persons designated by municipalities as focal points for this project. Another outcome of this grant was enhanced information dissemination and communication leading to the establishment of a network of Stara Planina municipalities. ______Stara planina ili Balkan pripada mocnom sistemu Balkanskih planina koje se pruzaju od Crnog mora na istoku, pa sve do Vrske cuke na zapadu. Duzina ovog planinskog sistema iznosi 530 kilometara. Ova planina predstavlja deo prostranog planinskog venca koji se naziva Karpatsko balkanski planinski luk. U Srbiji se nalazi samo njegov manji zapadni deo. Kao morfoloska celina omedjena je dolinama Belog i Trgoviskog Timoka, i Visocice, a na istoku je omedjena drzavnom granicom Srbije i Bugarske. U meridijanskom pravcu se pruza skoro 100 kilometara, dok u uporednickom pravcu pruzanja maksimalna duzina iznosi oko 30 kilometara [Pirotska kotlina-Srebrna glava]. Na severu masiv Stare planine pocinje od obronaka Vrske cuke [692m n.v.]. Izrazitiji vrhovi su: Crnoglav [764m n.v.], Babin nos [1108m n.v.], Tresak [1000m n.v.], Vetren [1330m n.v.], Orlov kamen [1737m n.v.], Sveti Nikola [vrh] [1380m n.v.], Midzor [2169m n.v.], Tri cuke [1937m n.v.], Tupanar [1727m n.v.], Srebrna glava [1933m n.v.]. Cesto se Staroj planini pripaja i Vidlic [1413m n.v.] ciji planinski venac pripada gornjem Ponisavlju, ali s obzirom da ga od Visoka razdvaja samo uska dolina Visocice moze se prihvatiti misljenje da zajedno sa Starom planinom cini jedinstvenu morfolosku i prirodnu celinu. Najvisa tacka Stare planine u Srbiji je vrh Midzor sa visinom od11.37 2169 m n.v, a najniza tacka je na izlazu iz doline Prlitskog potoka [132 m n.v.]. U Bugarskoj je najvisi vrh Botev [2376 m n.v.]. U okviru planinskih klimatskih regiona na Staroj planini se mogu izdvojiti: - Prelazni ili subplaninski klimatski region na visinama izmedju 600 i10.43 1250 m n.v. - Pravi planinski klimatski region na visinama izmedju 1250 i23.39 1900 m n.v. - Visokoplaninski klimatski region na visinama iznad23.39 1900 m n.v. Pleistocena [virm 3] snezna granica na Staroj planini se nalazila na visini od oko13.35 1700 m n.v. Babin Zub Babin Zub je specifican morfoloski oblik gde je zapadna strana [Knjazevacka] karakteristicna po vertikalnim odsecima stena, gde se jedan odstenjak izdvaja oblikom koji podseca na stari zub, po cemu je i dobio naziv. Njegova visina iznosi, oko 200m i pristupacna je samo alpinistima. Sa juzne strane Babin Zub je blago trbusast i spusta se prema selima Topli Do i Zaskovci, na strani opstine Pirot. Sam vrh Babin Zub, kao i nas deo Stare Plnanine, pripada pojasu kontinentalne klime, gde su leta zarka, susna i vrela, a zime su hladne sa jakim vetrovima i snegom, i slabo su izrazena prelazna godisnja doba. Zimski vetar je kosava krivac ili krivak, koji donosi sneg, a dominantan vetar u vecem delu godine je severozapad, za Knjazevac poznat kao Banjac, a jug i jugo-istok su vetrovi razvigorci. Sneg traje od oktobra do apraila maja, a na juznoj strani od novembra decembra do marta meseca. Celo podrucje je bogato izvorima i ima puno vode. Pored planinarskog doma nalazi se izvor iz koga nastaje Trgoviski Timok, a planinari su odavnina korisili tu vodu za pice. Sada je ta voda kaptirana i iz te kaptaze se Planinarski Dom i hotel EPS Tursa snabdevaju vodom. To je i najhladnija voda u bivsoj SFR Jugslaviji, po Jovanu Cvijicu, sa 4 C. Pored ovog sumskog izvora na Midzoru postoje jos Kaludjerske vode [1780m] i Tri Kladenca [ preko 1800m] koji su bogati vodom u toku cele godine. Na Jabuckom Ravnistu izvori su Dojkino Vrelo, Zaskovacki kamen, Vir i Tresetiste. Treset je nastao dugogodisnjim slaganjem materijala od lisca i grana koje je talozio ovaj potocic. Treset se jos uvek ne iskopava i cuva se, da se ne bi narusila prirodna celina ove visoravni. Celo podrucje, osim stocarskih, nije dirnuto i predstavlja nenarusenu prirodnu celinu. Bogatstvo Babinog Zuba i Stare Planine je i u njenom podzemnom delu, jer su potoci zlatonosni, ima granita, uljnih skriljaca, urana i drugih rudnih bgatstava. Sela koja okruzuju Babin Zub su: Ravno Bucije, Aldina Reka, , Mezdreja, , Custica, , Sugrin, Mirkovci, Zaskovci, Topli Do. Omiljeno jelo ovog kraja je belmuz i jagnjece pecenje. ______City Knjazevac [Stara Planina Mountin], Serbia Situated in east Serbia, Knjazevac is surrounded by mountain ranges. Many preserved instances of folk masonry witness to the rich cultural heritage. Tourist offerings include a profusion of forests, greenery, streams, rivers, intact nature, moderate climate, numerous cultural monuments, thermal springs with medicinal properties, and healthy food. The Timacum Minus archaeological site is situated in the vicinity of Knjazevac, while an archeological-ethno park with numerous Roman monuments and epitaphs engraved with grape is located in the nearby village of Ravna. The Museum of Viticulture and Winemaking is also located in this village. The Regional Museum [Zavicajni Muzej], which should not be missed out, contains a unique Sock Museum, which displays a collection of 1,000 hand-knit woolen socks of the Timok Krajina. Some of the displayed artifacts are up to 200 years old. The 14th century Sveta Bogorodica church [Holy Mother of God], located in the village of , is also a must-see. The vicinity of Knjazevac also boasts the highest peak in Serbia, Midzor on Mt. Stara Planina, with the attractive nearby site of Babin Zub [Grandma's Tooth]. Knjazevac's traditional Prayer under Midzor ethno fest takes place in May. It includes a unique contest in preparing old Serbian feasts and a shepherd game competition. Knjazevac Wine Route - "Roman Treasury" Viticulture and winemaking in Knjazevac vineyards date back to the Roman times, as evidenced by the Timacum Minus archeological site, situated in the vicinity of Knjazevac. The Late Antiquity findings include a statue of Dionysus, the god of wine in the old Greek mythology. The data shows that Roman legionaries used to drink locally produced wines to gather

page 6 / 14 strength before setting out on military quests. The 3rd and 4th century antiquity writers describe the Knjazevac region as vineyards. The region's oldest vineyards are located on the Dzervin hill above Knjazevac. Old vineyards were planted with the Plovdin and Prokupac varieties and to a lesser extent with other grape cultivars. The Knjazevac winemaking cooperative was established in 1927 as the third of its kind in Serbia. The accompanying wine cellar had a 100-ton capacity, expanded to 3,500 tons after the World War II. In 1960, the cooperative was transformed into the Dzervin Cellar, a corner stone of Knjazevac's winemaking development. I was back in the ancient times that natural factors have transformed Knjazevac and the surrounding area into a viticultural region. Viticulture and winemaking today Knjazevac is a region of indescribable beauty, an amalgamation of ethno motifs and tradition with late Roman archaeological sites and monuments. Nowadays, wine is inseparable from the Knjazevac region's history and tradition. Knjazevac vineyards belong to the Timok region, being located in the basin of the Timok River and its tributaries. The area's moderate-continental climate, characterized by warms summers and cold winters, with over 300 sunny days per year, is favorable for grapevine cultivation. The region's three dominant soil types include alluvial deposits, lake sediments, and soils that developed on eruptive rocks and limestone. Black grapevine varieties that are cultivated in Knjazevac vineyards include Red Burgundy, Prokupac and Plovdina, and white varieties include Smederevka and Italian Riesling. Prokupac, Vranac and Plovdina are autochthonous old varieties cultivated today in Knjazevac vineyards, in addition to numerous other top varieties, which esily adapt to this type of soil and climate. Being very active in Knjazevac, the Association of Viticulturists and Vintners was among those who initiated the 'smoked ham, wine and cheese fair' which is becoming a traditional festivity. This Association gathers wine cellar keepers and natural wine producers, aiming to develop production and promote wine education, joint presentation and product placement. The association also initiated the assembly of the Winemaking Museum, which is part of an ethno park. Together with a village school, a traditional house and a lapidarium, the museum makes a unique traditional Roman-style whole. ______Opstina Knjazevac [grad Knjazevac], Srbija Opstina Knjazevac se nalazi u istocnom delu Srbije, uz granicu sa Republikom Bugarskom i ulazi u sastav Timocke krajine. Najvisa tacka na teritoriji opstine je Midzor na Staroj planini [2.029m nadmorske visine], koji je ujedno i najvisi vrh u Republici Srbiji. Najniza tacka je 176m nadmorske visine i nalazi se u knjazevackoj kotlini. Podrucje opstine obuhvata 86 naselja, od cega je 85 seoskih naselja. Sam grad se nalazi na sastavu Trgoviskog i Svrljiskog Timoka koji zajedno cine Beli Timok, koji tece ka Zajecaru i zajedno sa crnim Timokom cini Timok, po kome je i sama Timocka krajina dobila naziv. Knjazevac je sa drugim gradovima povezan drumskim i zeleznickim saobracajem.Knjazevacki kraj je naseljen u vreme praistorije, o cemu svedoce stanista u Baranici, Skodrinom polju, Dubravi i dr, pecinski crtez konjanika u Gabrovnici i drugi mnogobrojni arheoloski nalazi. Anticki hronicar Plinije [II vek n.e.] belezi ovaj prostor kao deo rimske provincije Mezija u kojoj zive Mezi, Tracani, Dardanci, Tribali, Timahi, koji su simbiozom sa slovenskim plemenima formirali ovdasnje starosedelacko stanovnistvo Timocana, zvano Putuklije. Rimsko utvrdjenje Timacum minus kod sela Ravna, sa otkopanim bedemima, delovima civilnog naselja, bogatom nekropolom, objasnjava period istorije knjazevackog kraja do vremena srednjeg veka. U samom gradu su pronadjeni ostaci i drugog poznatog kasnoantickog grada Timacum maius. Iz perioda srednjeg veka poticu gradovi Ravna i Kozelj, crkva Svete Bogorodice u Gornjoj Kamenici i manastir Svete Trojice u Donjoj Kamenici, gradjene u XV veku, kao i prvi trag imena Gurgusovac. Iz vremena turske vlasti ima malo podataka. Zapis iz XVII veka blize belezi ondasnji Gurgusovac kao vojno utvrdjenje sa palisadima i topom, sa 46 turskih i 120 hriscanskih kuca. Godina 1833. Gurgusovac je oslobodjen od Turaka. Gradu je ostala Gurgusovacka kula, zloglasni zatvor za politicke zatvorenike, poznatija kao "Srpska bastilja". Kula je zapaljena naredbom Knjaza Milosa Obrenovica i, njemu u cast, gradjani su 1859. godine promenili ime grada u Knjazevac....

Serbia Serbia has connected West with East for centuries a land in which civilisations, cultures, faiths, climates and landscapes meet and mingle. It is located in the centre of the Balkan Peninsula, in southeastern Europe. The northern portion belongs to central Europe, but in terms of geography and climate it is also partly a Mediterranean country. Serbia is landlocked but as a Danube country it is connected to distant seas and oceans. Serbia is a crossroads of Europe and a geopolitically important territory. The international roads and railway lines, which run through the countrys river valleys, form the shortest link between Western Europe and the Middle East. From the agricultural regions of the Pannonian Plain in the north, across the fertile river valleys and orchard-covered hills of umadija, the landscape of Serbia continues southward, gradually giving way to mountains rich in canyons, gorges and caves, as well as well-preserved forests. Serbias beautiful mountains, national parks, rivers and lakes are the perfect location for an active outdoor holiday from hunting and fishing to extreme sports. Many times during its rich, centuries-long history, Serbia has been at the centre of Europes and the worlds attention, out of all proportion to its modest size, economic might and number of inhabitants. Many lessons on bravery, patriotism and the struggle for freedom can be learned wherever you turn in Serbia, as you pass through its cities and regions. The cultural and historical heritage of Serbia begins with prehistoric archaeological sites and its legacy from classical antiquity. Perhaps its greatest riches, though, are in the many mediaeval Serbian churches and monasteries, some of which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. All year round, numerous cultural, entertainment, traditional and sporting events are held in Serbia, demonstrating the creative power and spiritual vitality of this country. Today, Serbia is a modern, democratic European country, on the path to membership of the European Union, which a diverse range of visitors from young backpackers to participants in congresses and fairs visit every day. Statistically, the most-visited tourist destinations are the cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad, the mountains of Kopaonik and Zlatibor and the spa towns of Vrnja?ka Banja and .

page 7 / 14 The northern part of Serbia, Vojvodina, located in the Pannonian Plain, is predominately flat. There are also plains in Ma?va, Posavina, Pomoravlje and Stig, as well as in Negotinska Krajina in eastern Serbia. 55% of Serbias land is arable, the large part of which is located in Vojvodina, the countrys main agricultural region. The central part of Serbia and the hilly umadija region are located south of the Sava and Danube rivers. Further south, the hills gradually give way to mountains. The valleys of the Great, South and West Morava, Niava and Ibra rivers cut through the hilly and mountainous areas of Serbia and are the main travel routes. The forest coverage in Serbia is 27.3% in total and regional coverage varies: Vojvodina 6.8%, central Serbia 32.8% and Kosovo and Metohija 39.4%. The mountain landscape of Serbia is rich in canyons, gorges and caves, as well as preserved forests which are home to a multitude of endemic species. Serbias mountains belong to: The Rhodopes range, which runs along the right and left sides of the South and Great Morava rivers. The Carpathians and Balkan Mountains, which are located in the eastern part of Serbia, south of the Danube river. The Dinaric Alps mountain chain, the largest of the mountain regions, is divided into eight sub-regions: Prokletiije, ar, Stari Vlah-Raka, Kopaonik, Kosovo-Metohija, umadija, and the Rudne and Fline mountains. 15 peaks reach an altitude of over 2000 m, of which the highest is ?eravica in the Prokletije, with a height of 2656 m. Serbias rivers belong to the drainage basins of the Black, Adriatic and Aegean seas. Three rivers are fully navigable in Serbia: the Danube, Sava and the Tisa. The Velika Morava and Tami rivers are partly navigable. The longest river to flow through Serbia is the Danube, 588 km of its total 2783 km-long course, and over 90% of the river basin is occupied by this river. The largest lake in Serbia is the artificial ?erdap lake on the Danube which covers an area of 253 km2.

page 8 / 14 The climate of Serbia is moderately continental, with localised variations and a gradual change between the seasons. Nearby geographical regions like the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Genoa, the Pannonian Basin and the Morava Valley, the Carpathian and Rhodope mountains, as well as Serbias hilly and mountainous region, with its valleys and plateaus, significantly influence the weather and climate in Serbia. The dominant position of river valleys from the south towards the hilly areas in the north of the country allows the deep penetration of polar air masses in southern regions. The vast majority of Serbian territory lies in a temperate climate zone, but the southwestern regions border the subtropical and continental climate zones. The mean annual air temperature for areas3.82 300 m above sea-level is 10.9C and for regions at an altitude of3.82 300 m to 500 m it is around 10C. In mountainous regions above-2.68 1000 m the air temperature is around 6C, while in regions above 1500 m it is around 3C. Autumn is warmer than spring. The coldest month is January with the mean monthly temperature ranging from -6C in mountainous regions to around 0C in the countrys flat regions. The warmest month is July with the mean monthly temperature ranging from 11C to 22C The highest recorded temperature was 44.9C in 2007 in Smederevska Palanka and the lowest recorded temperature was -39.5 in 1985 in the Peter Plateau. The annual rainfall in low-lying areas ranges from 540 to 820 mm. Regions which are5.84 1000 m above sea-level have between 700 and 1000 mm of rainfall annually, while some mountain peaks in southwestern Serbia have up to 1500 mm of rainfall a year. The majority of Serbia has continental rainfall patterns, with larger volumes in the warmer half of the year, apart from southwestern areas which have the most rainfall in autumn. June is the rainiest month, with an average of 12 to 13% of the total annual rainfall that month. February and October are the least rainy months. The normal annual volume of rainfall for the entire country is 896 mm. Snow cover is characteristic of the period between November and March, and sometimes there is snowfall in April and October too. Mountains above15.83 1000 m can have snow cover all year round. January has the most days with snow cover, with 30 to 40% of the total annual number of days with snow cover occurring during that month. The annual number of hours of sunshine ranges from 1500 to 2200 hours. The winds which dominate the warmer part of the year are north-westerly and westerly. The Koava an easterly and south-easterly wind which brings clear and dry weather in intervals of two to three days is common in autumn and winter. South-westerly winds dominate the mountainous regions of south-western Serbia. The mean atmospheric pressure in Belgrade is 1001 mb and the mean relative air humidity is 69.5%

Begin your travels through Serbia in Belgrade, the capital city, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Belgrade offers many great places to visit, with Ada Ciganlija or the Belgrade Sea as it is known to the locals Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park coming highly recommended. After an action-packed day, next up is a lively night out on the town, something for which Belgrade is well known. Now make your way to Fruka Gora mountain, known as Serbias Mount Athos, which has

page 9 / 14 17 monasteries dating from the 15th to 18th centuries nestling on its slopes. And with that you have begun your journey through Vojvodina, known for its numerous farmsteads (salai), stables, wine cellars, food and, of course, the EXIT music festival. This festival is held annually in the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad and attracts over half a million young people from all around the world. As you sail along the Danube in Serbia, you will discover on its banks traces of prehistoric civilisations, such as Vin?a near Belgrade and Lepenski Vir near Donji Milanovac. You will also come across Roman-era Viminacium, formerly one of the most important military camps on the Danube. Combine culture with adventure by using the many marked cycling paths to explore the banks of the Danube. And in the south there is Ni, the birthplace of Constantine the Great, in whose time Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Southern Serbia is known for its energetic music, flavoursome food, Pirot carpets, peppers and ka?kavalj (caciocavallo) cheese. In , do not miss out on tasting the best grilled meat in the whole of Serbia. After the rich food, you will appreciate the sharp mountain air of Stara Planina, eastern Serbias most beautiful mountain, where you will enjoy skiing or hiking in the midst of unspoilt nature. A little further south Vlasinsko Jezero lake and its floating peat islands await you. Western Serbia offers an entirely different landscape and experience. Your first stop should be Oplenac, a cultural and historical site, home to the very important St George Church (Crkva Svetog ?or?a) which is also the mausoleum of the Serbian Kara?or?evi? family dynasty. Continue your journey through the Valley of the Kings, from the 13th-century ica monastery to the 12th-century Studenica monastery which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In this region you will also see the 13th-century Gradac monastery, the endowment of French princess Helen of Anjou, the wife of King Uro I Nemanji?. Now it is time for sport and adventure. Western Serbia, with its numerous mountains, rivers and lakes, is the perfect place for sports in the great outdoors. The Drina, Uvac, Lim and Ibar are rivers on which you can seek out an adrenaline rush, but remember, you need a good team for white water rafting. Dont miss out on taking a train ride on the 1925 argan Eight (arganska Osmica) railway, whose tracks cut through the mountain landscape of Mokra Gora in the shape of a figure of eight. Not far from here is the Sirogojno ethnic village and there are also opportunities for village tourism in hospitable Serbian households, with healthy, traditional food and, of course, local rakija (Serbian brandy), as well as traditional trades and handicrafts. You should also visit Drvengrad, a modern ethnic village built by famous Serbian film director Emir Kusturica. The multitude of spas, which were once frequented by Roman emperors and now frequented by business people and top sportsmen and women, are ideal places for rest and relaxation. The best known spas are Vrnja?ka Banja, Sokobanja, Banja Kanjia, Banja Kovilja?a and Pali?. Or maybe a mountain health resort, such as Zlatibor, Zlatar or Div?ibare, would be more to your taste. Nature has been generous to Serbia, so close to the spas there are many reserves, natural monuments and protected plant and animal habitats. And winter sports lovers will enjoy the range of facilities on Kopaonik mountain, where the skiing season starts at the beginning of December and ends as late as April. During rest of the year you can partake in mountain walking, flying, orienteering or bird watching. Regardless of where in Serbia you begin your journey, you will feel the tradition and spirit of the people conveyed through the wide range of events whether tourist, cultural, sport or entertainment which are held all year round. The Draga?evo Brass Bands Festival in Gu?a, the Homolj Motifs in Ku?evo, the Rajac Mow, the Shepherd Days of Kosjeri?, Vrnjci Carnival and the Days of Grape Picking in Vrac are just a few of them. See you in Serbia! Welcome!

page 10 / 14 Although Serbia has for centuries been the scene of frequent wars, devastation, fires and mass-migrations, on the turbulent roads leading from East to Europe and from Europe to East, a rich cultural and historical legacy has remained there. The rich variety of historical monuments and sites of natural beauty make Serbia a country of great interest for tourism and very much part of its attraction. Testament to prehistoric life in this region are the numerous archaeological sites. Lepenski Vir, the first example of socioeconomic structure between 6500 and 5500 BC, Star?evo from the Early Neolithic, 5500 to 4500 BC, and Vin?a from the Late Neolithic, 4500 to 3200 BC, constitute the evidence that this was for millennia a cultural centre of the prehistoric world. There are also the important remains of Roman roads and towns , Sirmium, and Mediana, with a variety of structures which today bear witness to six centuries of the presence of the Roman Empire on the territory of Serbia. One of the most important categories of preserved monument in Serbia are Orthodox monasteries, which came into being during the period from the 12th to the 17th century. They can be found in an area ranging from Fruka Gora in the north, through the Morava and Ibar valleys, all the way to Kosovo and Metohija. The Stari Ras and Sopo?ani complex, Studenica monastery and Visoki De?ani, together with the Patriarchate of Pe?, Gra?anica and the Our Lady of Ljevi church in Prizren, are listed under the joint name of Mediaeval Monuments in Kosovo (Serbia) on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The cultural route 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 geography, 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 Serbias 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 umadija 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 exquisite 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.

page 11 / 14 UNESCO lists The World Heritage list includes almost 1000 properties of cultural and natural value, from all over the world, deemed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be places of outstanding universal value. In selecting the properties which Serbia put forward for inclusion in the World Heritage List, an emphasis was placed on Serbias mediaeval heritage, particularly monasteries and royal mausoleums belonging to the Byzantine sphere of cultural influence, but with recognisable national characteristics. Serbian sites so far added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: Studenica monastery, Stari Ras and Sopo?ani, Mediaeval Monuments in Kosovo and Gamzigrad Romuliana. As part of the UNESCO Memory of the World program, Nikola Teslas Archive (2003) and the Miroslav Gospel (2005) from Serbia have been added to the World Documentary Heritage register. Also, the UNESCO MAB Council has declared part of the Golija nature park as the Golija-Studenica Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to which Serbia has its own ambassador. Archaeological sites The territory of modern Serbia is rich in traces of the past and of ancient civilisations. Besides archaeological sites testifying to human presence from as far back as prehistoric times, there are also frequent finds of Late Pleistocene animals: mammoth, bison and giant deer. Archaeological evidence of human settlement on the territory of Serbia dates back to the Paleolithic era, 40,000 BC. The oldest known civilisations in Europe date back to the Mesolithic and Late Neolithic Lepenski Vir (6500-5500 BC) and Vin?a (5500-3500 BC). The most abundant examples of classical cultural heritage on the territory of Serbia are those left behind by the great Roman Empire. The territory of modern Serbia produced 17 Roman emperors, a fifth of their total number. Among them was Emperor Constantine one of the most important figures in the establishment of the Christian civilisation. The banks and waters of the Serbian portion of the Danube Basin have, since far back into prehistory, been the stage for many cultural developments and historical events. Archaeological materials are heterogenous in their chronology and type: tools, weapons, metal vessels, money, pieces of ceramic vessels. To date, two boats from the Roman era have been discovered in Serbias rivers. One of the first military fortifications on the Danube was Viminacium near Poarevac. The largest Roman bridge over the Danube, almost a kilometre and a half long, was built in the ?erdap Gorge. Near to Sremska Mitrovica was Sirmium, the oldest Roman town on the territory of Serbia. Mediana near Ni, Gamzigrad near Zaje?ar, Cari?in Grad near Leskovac and Singidunum todays Belgrade are all sites rich in Roman remains. Serbia sits at the crossing of the ways of Eastern and Western culture, and this has been a major influence on the unique cultural heritage of this region. Especially numerous are mediaeval Byzantine and Orthodox monuments, first and foremost those Serbian monasteries and churches from the 12th century and later, as well as the remains of Turkish and Austro-Hungarian structures.

The territory of modern Serbia is rich in traces of the past and of ancient civilisations. Besides archaeological sites testifying to human presence from as far back as prehistoric times, there are also frequent finds of Late Pleistocene animals: mammoth, bison and giant deer. Archaeological evidence of human settlement on the territory of Serbia dates back to the Paleolithic era, 40,000 BC. The oldest known civilisations in Europe date back to the Mesolithic and Late Neolithic Lepenski Vir (6500-5500 BC) and Vin?a (5500-3500 BC). The most abundant examples of classical cultural heritage on the territory of Serbia are those

page 12 / 14 left behind by the great Roman Empire. The territory of modern Serbia produced 17 Roman emperors, a fifth of their total number. Among them was Emperor Constantine one of the most important figures in the establishment of the Christian civilisation. The banks and waters of the Serbian portion of the Danube Basin have, since far back into prehistory, been the stage for many cultural developments and historical events. Archaeological materials are heterogenous in their chronology and type: tools, weapons, metal vessels, money, pieces of ceramic vessels. To date, two boats from the Roman era have been discovered in Serbias rivers. One of the first military fortifications on the Danube was Viminacium near Poarevac. The largest Roman bridge over the Danube, almost a kilometre and a half long, was built in the ?erdap Gorge. Near to Sremska Mitrovica was Sirmium, the oldest Roman town on the territory of Serbia. Mediana near Ni, Gamzigrad near Zaje?ar, Cari?in Grad near Leskovac and Singidunum todays Belgrade are all sites rich in Roman remains. Serbia sits at the crossing of the ways of Eastern and Western culture, and this has been a major influence on the unique cultural heritage of this region. Especially numerous are mediaeval Byzantine and Orthodox monuments, first and foremost those Serbian monasteries and churches from the 12th century and later, as well as the remains of Turkish and Austro-Hungarian structures.

Unique in their architecture, sculpture and ornamentation, frescoes, icons, manuscripts and numerous works of applied art, the monasteries of Serbia have long been a focus of attention for tourists and mediaeval art experts alike. The architecture of mediaeval Serbian monasteries is particularly varied. During the 13th and into the 14th century some of the most striking churches were built, whose proportions and decorative fade and sculptural work suggest Romanesque influence (Studenica, Banjska, De?ani, Gradac, Arilje, Mileeva, Sopo?ani and others). These are referred to as belonging to the Raka School. The first half of the 14th century during the reign of King Milutin saw the construction of works of exceptional architecture and artwork, such as Gra?anica. The period after 1371 saw the rise of a characteristic architectural style called the Morava School in the Morava river valley, with its multicoloured fades and decorative relief work, (e.g. Ravanica, Lazarica, Ljubostinja and Kaleni?). Mediaeval monasteries and churches are not just features on the landscape of Serbia, they are features of the soul of Serbia, as well as being art galleries in a very real sense. The frescoes and icons in Serbias churches are a significant part of Serbias cultural, historical and national wealth. One of the greatest Serbian Orthodox holy places is Hilandar, a Serbian monastery located on the northern part of the Holy Mountain of Mount Athos a monastic republic formed of 20 major monasteries, situated on the third leg of the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece. The monastery of Hilandar was built by Stefan Nemanja and his sons, the monk Sava and Stefan Prvoven?ani (the First-Crowned) in 1198.

It does not take long for foreign visitors to Serbia to discover the hospitality, kindness, openness and warmth of the countrys residents. Shaking hands, done using the right hand, is customary when being introduced or meeting somebody of either gender. Kissing is not a necessity when meeting somebody for the first time, but every time you meet from then on, if you have

page 13 / 14 developed affection for the person in question, kissing three times on the cheeks is the order of the day in Serbia. Of course, nobody will object if you only kiss once or twice while giving a long and sincere hug. In Serbia, toasts are usually made with traditional rakija (brandy), often home-distilled. Toasts are made by clinking glasses, making direct eye contact and loudly proclaiming iveli! A speech is usually only made on formal occasions, normally by the host, but a guest may give one, too. Serbs enjoy rich and flavoursome food and normally have three meals a day, with lunch being the largest. Paying the bill in restaurants is a big part of the Serbian mentality. The host will almost never allow a guest to pay for lunch, dinner or drinks because it is customary for the host to take care of all expenses while a guest is staying with him or her. In contrast to the rest of Europe, there is no single day of the week in Serbia when you cannot have a night out and that holds true for all generations, for all lifestyles and musical tastes and for all available budgets. After a wild night out, somewhere around three or four oclock in the morning, people continue onward in search of grilled meat or burek.

Telenet Hotels Network | Serbia Villa "Dzervin", Knjazevac Media Center Stara Planina Phone: +38164 5558581; +38161 6154768; www.booking-hotels.biz [email protected]

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