Only in Serbia

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius

     One of the most important late Roman sites in Europe. Early explorers believed the ancient ruins to have been a Roman military camp, because of their size and numerous towers. Construction works started in 289 by the tetrarch Galerius to mark the place of his birth after a victory over the Persians. It was given the name Felix Romuliana in memory of his Queen mother Romula, a priestess of a pagan cult.

     Three Roman Emperors were born in this municipality (modern Zaječar, Serbia).

     Galerius ruled 293-311

     Maximinus ruled 305-312

     Licinius ruled 308-324

     According to the wishes of the Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Galerius Maximilianus, the palace followed ancient court architecture with the aim of being safe abode in lifetime and, after death, eternal monument to the roman emperor. Archaeological excavations unearthed palace remains and mosaics of exceptional beauty, temples, public baths and monumental gates.

Stari Ras and Sopocani

     On the outskirts of Stari Ras, the first capital of Serbia, there is an impressive group of medieval monuments consisting of fortresses, churches and monasteries. The monastery at Sopoćani is a reminder of the contacts between Western civilization and the Byzantine world.

Petrovaradin fortress - Novi Sad

     Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbian province of Vojvodina, on the right bank of Danube river. The cornerstone of the present-day southern part of the fortress was laid on October 18, 1692, by Prince Croy. Petrovaradin Fortress has about 16 km of underground countermine system. The first larger fortifications were created with the arrival of the Romans who built the fortress which was a part of the fortified borders along the Danube.

Djavolja Varoš

     About 30 km South-West away from Kursumlija had developed a geological phenomenon among the most astonishing that could be seen. On the massive of Radan, near the summit of an altitude of 1409 m there are 200 stone figures 20 meters high directed to the sky. Of the red-tan colour overhung by the black discs, these true stone sculptures look like the chimneys chiselled by a human in the stone. Most interesting has been to see them changing the colour during the day, and it is an admiration to observe these colour shades and their manifold metamorphoses. Surrounded by a landscape with a vegetation of a quasi desert these natural sculptures do astonish us by their inclusion in a nature entirely green and dense.

Serbian taverns

     A must-see when visiting Serbia are the typical Serbian taverns, very specific for each town. A famous Serbian author once wrote: “Tavern is for Serbs what square was for ancient Greeks. Belgrade is breezy city, springs are cold, autumns rainy, and summer sultriness unbearable. And, squares are not among the most beautiful in Europe. People gather on squares rarely, only in key historical moments. Therefore, for public life remained taverns, restaurants, bars and in newer time – cafés; those cradles that swayed away famous Belgrade spirit.”

     Tavern is a special institution in Serbia. A place where you can feel the “pulse” of the nation: what people think and what intend to do. For centuries, in taverns governments have been destroyed, important political decisions have been made, honour has been defended… Even today, in taverns, Serbia lives a parallel, maybe shorter, but far more exciting life!

EXIT festival – Novi Sad

     EXIT (also known as State of EXIT) is an annual summer music festival in the Petrovaradin fortress of Novi Sad,voted to be The Best European Festival. It is staged annually since 2000 and usually lasts four days (since 2003). Considered as the wild, painted face of fun in the new Europe, The "State of Exit" is the festival drawing thousands of music lovers from the region's war-scarred countries to the Serbian city of Novi Sad. Its organisers describe it as a temporary nation, issuing visitors with "passports" instead of tickets.Its fans say it is the former Yugoslavia's only "state" whose borders are not drawn in blood.