Serbia is a country in which civilisations, cultures, faiths, climates and landscapes meet and mingle. The variety of scenery and monuments, curative spas, hunting grounds and fishing areas give the basis for Serbia’s tourism.

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. All year round, numerous cultural, entertainment, traditional and sporting events are held in Serbia, demonstrating the creative power and spiritual vitality of this country.

It does not take long for foreign visitors to Serbia to discover the hospitality, kindness, openness and warmth of the country’s residents.

The most-visited tourist destinations are the cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad, the mountains of Kopaonik and Zlatibor and the spa towns of Vrnjačka Banja and Sokobanja.

UNESCO SITES

The UNESCO World Heritage List includes 981 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Commitee considers as having outstanding universal value.

Serbian sites so far added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: 

• Studenica monastery: built in the 12^th century by Stevan Nemanja (founder of the medieval Serb stage), it’s the largest and richest of Serbia’s Orthodox monasteries. It’s two principal monuments, the Church of the Virgin and the Church of the King, both made of white marble, enshrine priceless collections of 13^th and 14^th Byzantine painting.

• Stari Ras and Sopoćani: this monastery is a reminder of the contacts between Western civilization and the Byzantine world.

• Mediaeval Monuments in Kosovo: the four edifices of the site reflect the high points of the Byzantine-Romanesque ecclesiastical culture. The Decani Monastery was built in the mid-14th century for the Serbian king Stefan Decanski and is also his mausoleum. The style played a decisive role in subsequent Balkan art.

• Gamzigrad – Romuliana: the palace of Galerius, in the east of Serbia, was commissioned by Emperor Caius Valerius Galerius Maximianus, in the late 3^rd and early 4^th centuries. The site consists of fortifications, the palace, basilicas, temples, hot baths, memorial complex and a tetrapylon.

BELGRADE

Belgrade, 2 million inhabitants, is the capital and the largest city of modern Serbia. Belgrade offers a rich programme

of cultural, artistic and sports events, many museums, and cultural and historic monuments for the visitors. The historic areas and buildings of Belgrade are among the city’s premier attractions. They include Skadarlija, the National Museum and adjacent National Theatre, Zemun, Nikola Pašić Square, Terazije, Students’ Square, the Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova Street, the Parliament, the Temple of Saint Sava, and the Old Palace. On top of this, there are many parks, monuments, museums, cafés, restaurants and shops on both sides of the river.

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Air Serbia

Coralie DEVIES.