Discover Hidden Gems in Serbia
Serbia itself is a real European hidden gem, but if you’re planning a trip around this West Balkans’ country you must be wondering which places to explore besides Belgrade, Novi Sad and maybe Subotica. Anyhow, we’d love to share our thoughts on some less popular destinations that we’ve enjoyed visiting, so check out our favorite hidden gems in Serbia.
Let’s start exploring Serbia…
Kragujevac
Kragujevac, the fourth largest city in Serbia, often gets overlooked because of other, more popular destinations that are mostly located in the northern part of the country. But it is a very significant city and really deserves more attention – it’s the country’s industrial capital and a city with a fascinating history and interesting culture, and it was even the capital of Serbia once. There are many things to be seen and appreciated in Kragujevac, such as Šumarice memorial park with different monuments dedicated to WWII victims, a magnificent old church or the amazing building of the first Gymnasium.
Kragujevac, Šumarice Memorial Park
© Miroslav Stojiljković
If you want to get familiar with the city’s history and culture you should definitely visit the National Museum of Kragujevac, which is located on few spots around the city and covers archaeology, ethnography, arts and the history of Kragujevac and the wider Šumadija region. The National Museum in Kragujevac will offer you a variety of things to discover, from the superb architecture of its 19th-century buildings to the fabulous exhibition of the artwork of some of the most celebrated contemporary Serbian artists.
National Museum of Kragujevac
© Goran Gajić
National Museum of Kragujevac
© Goran Gajić
Jagodina
If you enjoy spending time outdoors and love water parks and zoos you definitely have to visit Jagodina. There is an amazing place that you should visit – Đurđevo brdo park, a favorite relaxation spot for Jagodina people. It’s a park with long walking trails, benches, fountains and the first artificial waterfall in Serbia. The Zoo Park Jagodina is also located in this complex, so if you plan to visit, there is really much to see.
Jagodina City Centre
© Novolanistanac / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jagodina has few museums that are worth visiting but we would like to highlight the Museum of Naïve and Marginal Art (MNMA), which is the first museum of this kind in Serbia. This museum takes a special place on the cultural map of Serbia. It’s a home of many classic artworks by naïve painters – and these for sure are really amazing pieces with simple and everyday thematic. The MNMA museum has a very special mission – to protect the works of naïve and marginal art, give the true idea of its essence and real artistic value, and separate it from other forms of non-academic work, such as the field of amateurism and dilettantism. So far, they have been successful and naïve and marginal art is accepted within the professional circles and evaluated as a part of contemporary art, equal to academic art.
© Museum of Naïve and Marginal Art Jagodina
Beograd, Emerik Feješ
© Museum of Naïve and Marginal Art Jagodina
Požarevac
Požarevac (Braničevo area) is another very important city for Serbian historical and cultural heritage. It is known as the city of peace because of the “Požarevac Peace Treaty” that was signed in 1718 between Austria and Turkey – the grand forces of that time. The city is also famous because of its numerous landmarks and picturesque nature. While you’re there, check out Viminacium – an Ancient Roman city 12 km from the city center and go to National Park Čačkalica, with many exotic birds and plants and a pretty interesting monument called “Zvezda” (The Star).
Požarevac, Memorial Park Čačalica
© Nenad Ivic / CC BY-SA 3.0
When it comes to getting to know Požarevac’s culture and rich and turbulent history there are two places that you have to visit – the National Museum and Gallery of Milena Pavlović Barilli. The National Museum of Požarevac, set in the city center, is the second oldest museum building in Serbia and the museum collections are housed in five different buildings. In the main museum building, in the so-called Krsta’s House, you’ll find archaeological, prehistoric, ancient, medieval as well as objects from the Viminacium collection presented.
National Museum of Požarevac
© Goran Gajić
National Museum of Požarevac
© Goran Gajić
Not that far from the main museum building there is a very interesting memorial gallery dedicated to famous Požarevac’s surrealist paintress Milena Pavlović Barilli – one of the most unique paintresses in Europe between the two World wars. She is known for her illustrations of covers of few famous fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Charm and Glamour. Her home was transformed into an art gallery where you can observe her artwork, library and personal belongings.
Self-portrait, Milena Pavlović Barilli
© Gallery Milena Pavlović Barilli
© Gallery Milena Pavlović Barilli
Šabac
Lying on the right bank of the Sava river, Šabac is another historically important city in Serbia, known for its merry people, bohemian lifestyle, famous citizens and unique September fair. Its city center is pretty elegant, the main pedestrian street is lined with nice buildings and trees. Near the pedestrian area, you’ll find the main City Square painted in pink. Between the city center and the river Sava, you’ll find the Šabac fortress and the Old Town. It’s a very nice place to explore and to take a break from all the concrete in the city center. There is even a beach where you can relax and go for a swim.
The square of Šabac victims
© Ванилица / CC BY-SA 4.0
Šabac Fortress
© Ванилица / CC BY-SA 4.0
If you’d like to get to know about the Šabac and Mačva region history, everything from the prehistoric times to modern days, visit the National Museum of Šabac, set in the city center, in the old Grammar school. For sure, it is the most modern museum of this kind in Serbia with multimedia and interactive content – even holographic projections as a part of their permanent exhibition. Another interesting museum is the Jewish Museum, set in the old synagogue building, renovated for this purpose, not that far from the National Museum. The museum tells the history of the Jewish people of Šabac to whom Šabac has been a home for centuries, until the WWII, and the goal is to present the tolerance and friendship between the Serbian and Jewish people.
© National Museum Šabac
© National Museum Šabac
Belgrade
Belgrade itself is not a hidden gem for sure, but there are some places in this urban jungle that you may have not explored yet. Instead of strolling down Knez Mihailova street, going to the Belgrade Fortress and exploring the Military Museum, why not wander throughout the streets of Dorćol – an old urban neighborhood? That’s where you’ll see the amazing Alexandar Nevski church, first Belgrade Gymnasium and an amazing museum – Museum of Science and Technology.
Museum of Science and Technology
© Ванилица / CC BY-SA 3.0
If you’re interested in learning about old technologies and seeing the progress that happened through history, visit the Museum of Science and Technology Belgrade. In this museum, you can see many exhibitions that show how people once lived and worked in Serbia. The museum houses over 10,000 objects that document the development of the different fields of science, technology and industry in Serbia. You’ll get the opportunity to see how steamboats were operated, how people used to print without modern printers and why Tesla’s induction motor was such a revolutionary invention. Also, you’ll learn about robotics and computers and many other interesting revolutionary products in Serbia and about important Serbian scientists and inventors. There is even a gallery of toys and an interactive exhibition for kids, where they can discover and play with the laws of physics. This is for sure one of the most interesting museums in Serbia that we’ve visited.
Museum of Science and Technology
© Ванилица / CC BY-SA 3.0
Museum of Science and Technology
© Ванилица / CC BY-SA 3.0
We’ve loved these places and beleive that they deserve more attention. That’s why we’re proud to say the aforementioned museums are important partners of Cultural Places. If you download our Cultural Places App you can find audio guided tours through these hidden gems and explore them thoroughly. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
