The Sopoćani Monastery, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is an endowment of Serbian king Stefan Uroš I (1243-1276). The monastery was built around the year 1260 near the source of the river Raška, 17 kilometers from the town of Novi Pazar. The church has a form of the Romanesque three-nave...
We stayed overnight below Gradina hill near the city of Novi Pazar. In the morning we walked the steep trail (950 m) to the Stari Ras, a 12th-century fortress. It was built there to defend the capital city of the first Serbian state on the accession of the Nemanjić dynasty in 1159. The...
The narrow road brought us to The Đavolja Varoš (Devil’s Town) situated on the south slopes of Mt. Radan, on the right bank of the Tuta reka (Yellow River). Đavolja Varoš is a unique example of the action of erosion. It is a complex of stone pyramids (entrance 350 RSD) located in...
We arrived late in the afternoon at a beautiful archaeological site Gamzigrad, with the ruins of the Palace of Galerius, near the town of Zajecar in eastern Serbia. In the middle of fields is the fortified compound and memorial complex dating back to the late Roman period. Commissioned by...
We have visited one of the most beautiful churches in the historical region of Maramureș. The unique church of Saint Parascheva was built in 1632, it is a classic example of local architecture with its double roof, a tower with three bells (1673), and two-level windows. The church´s...
We spent the whole afternoon in Rodnei Mountains around Borșa. Rodnei Mountain National Park has been designated a biosphere reservation by UNESCO for its abundance of glacial features and profusion of flora and fauna species. Borșa is a small ski resort and tourist complex in the...
In the morning we have arrived at the most famous and stunning of the painted monasteries – Voroneț (parking 7 ROL / hour). The monastery was founded in 1487 by Stephen the Great to celebrate a victory over the Turks. Widely known throughout Europe as “the Sistine Chapel of the...
The highlight of the small Arbore church is a scene from Genesis (entrance 10 ROL), which adorns the western wall. It is the only church in the region with no belfry towers because it was not built by a prince, the monastery was founded in 1503 by Luca Arbore, the advisor of Stephen the...
Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (in northeastern Romania). Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th-century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of...
We spent few hours on safari (250 UAH) in Askania-Nova. It is one of the oldest and largest biosphere reserves in Europe, located in a remote part of the Kherson steppe. Nowadays, this unique island of primordial nature, where live many rare animal species and exotic plants, is recognized...