Vrnjci Spa, the biggest tourist center in country, and Kopaonik, the most famous winter mountain in Serbia and monasteris in Ibar valley are the greatest attraction of this region. This part of Serbia, besides on health therapies, wellness and recreation, inviting us to visit our monasteries, villages, and every year to the great manifestation as the most cheerfully manifestation in our country - Veseli spust down Ibar river. River Ibar was also inspiration for another manifestation - Rafting without borders on the upper course of Ibar, from Leposavić on the side of Kosovo to Raška.




Novi Pazar

Novi Pazar, town located on Raska river, in Raska region, presents economic and culture center of Sandzak. It is located on the part of the old part of the road that leads to Podgorica and Adriatic sea, over Ibarska highway. The town, 280km far from Belgrade, is situated in valley of rivers Josanica, Raska, Dzevska and Ljudska, surrounded with mountains Golija and Rogozna. The area of the town was settled in Stone Age, Iron Age and early ancient age. The town dates from XV century. Founder of the town is turkish soldier Isa-beg ishakovic, who raised the town near medieval fortress Trgoviste, familiar as Ras. Mountains, river valleys, rich flora and fauna and numeral thermal and mineral springs presents the special values of this area. Nearby Novi Pazar are located Rajcinovica and Novopazarska spas, and Slatinski Dezevski sorrels. There are also numerous cultural and historic monuments such as Petrova church from X century, Djurdjevi Stupovi (endowment of Strefan Nemanja from XII century), Monastery Sopocani from XIII century, Fortress with tower from XV cemtury, Amir Aga`s han from XVII century, hamam from XV century. In Novi Pazar we recomend hotel Oxa.


Vrnjci Spa / Vrnjačka banja

Vrnjci Spa is located in the central part of Serbia, on wooded hills of Goc Mountain. The surrounding of Vrnjacka Spa is rich with preserved natural beauties, and presents the exceptional rich treasury of cultural-historic monuments. It is considered for one of the most famous and biggest spas in Serbia. Here is founded the archaeological material, proving that Romans built the health resort in Vrnjacka Spa. During the whole year, different manifestations are held here, and the guests can visit also nearby monasteries, such as Gradac, Sopocani, Zica, Studenica, Djurdjevi Stupovi.



Kopaonik

National park Kopaonik is the biggest massif in Serbia. Extends from northwest to southeast, in length of 75km, with the width of 40km in the mid part. The center of Kopaonik is split on two tourist centers – Ravan Kopaonik and Brzece. Kopaonik is famous as a mountain covered with snow for 7 months in year, and also presents the main ski center in Serbia. Besides the skiing, tourist have possibility for hiking, ballooning, visit to archaeological sight Kadijevac and the remains of the old Orthodox church named as Nebeska Stolica.




Maglic

Maglic is the best preserved medieval town in Serbia. It is surrounded with Ibar River from three sides and has irregular shape. The most beautiful part presents three joined towers on the west side, that offers a great view on the valley and the river. Its considered that it was raised in the mid XIII century, and in early Medieval it presented the seat of archbishop Danilo, who established the monkish school here. During the II Serbian insurection, the fortress played the significant historic role, afterward it become the abandoned town.




Monastery Studenica

In year 1986, Monastery Studenica was proclaimed as a protected monument and was included on a list of World Culture and Natural Herritage of UNESCO. This is one of the most important monuments of Byzantium and Serbian art. Monastery complex consists of three churches: Church dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, King`s church and Church of St. Nicholas. The church of Holy Virgin Mary is the oldest one and built in period between 1183 and 1196. Carries the characteristics of Raska school, and presents the place where Simeon (Stefan Nemanja), Stefan Prvovencani and King Radoslav were buried.




Monastery Zica

Monastery Zica is located in village Krusevica, between Kraljevo and Mataruska Spa. Monastery is an endowment of Stefan Prvovencani, and considered as the seat of Serbian Medieval State. The church of Holy Ascension was bulit between 1206 and 1217, when the trustee obtained the king crown from Rome. After church independence in 1219, the church was a seat of independent Serbian archbishopric, and presents the place where St. Sava enthroned bishops and crowned his brother Stefan for king. The frescoes in the church are very damaged and destroyed, so only several fragments shows the exact proportions, tame composition of rhythm...




Monastery Gradac

Monastery Gradac is around 21km far from Raska, placed on the wooden slopes of Golija Mountain. The exact year of the monastery establishment is unknown, but it is considered that the construction works were finished at the end of the XIII century. The monastery was built in Raska school, and presents the endowment of Jelena Anzujska. During the Turkish rule, monastery was without monks, and latter without the roof also. Monastery is located near by Kopaonik and presents the addition to its tourist offer.







Monastery Sopocani

Monastery Sopocani is situated 15km far from Novi Pazar. The exact name of the construction is unknown, as the sign in the dome is destroyed on the place where the year of the construction is written. The paintings of the church belongs to the most impresive products of Byzantine frescoe painting. These paintings shows the characters and events from Christian history. In 1979, UNESCO placed this monastery on he List of World Cultural Herritage.








Monastery Mileseva

Monastery Mileseva, placed in the valley of Mileseva river, was named after this river. Monastery was raised by King Vladislav, the son of King Stefan Prvovencani. From 1237 till 1594, this monastery was the grave of St. Sava, until the strike by the Turks in XVI century, when the relics of St. Sava were burned on Vracarevo hill in Belgrade. Despite several incinerates by Turks, Mileseva managed to develop the rich culture. The monastery had two renovations, and in 1863 the monastery gained nowadays apperance.