Čačak | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Ovčarsko-kablarska Gorge

Cut between the mountains of Ovčar and Kablar, the Zapadna Morava River creates one of the most picturesque gorges in Serbia, a true natural gem of the Čačak municipality. This gorge is neither the largest nor the longest, but with its geomorphological and biological characteristics, it is among the most beautiful gorges in Serbia. The length of the gorge is about 20 kilometers, and its maximum depth is 710 meters. In the steep slopes of the mountains, at the point where the river slowed its flow, three unique meanders were carved. Two meanders, by their characteristics, represent a true geomorphological phenomenon. Numerous cliffs and short caves also occur on the slopes of Kablar. The flora of the gorge is preserved and of relict character. The Ovčar Banja with its healing and thermal springs, of which there are as many as 38 in the gorge, is also located here.

Medieval Monasteries

In the Ovčarsko-Kablarska Gorge, there are as many as ten medieval monasteries. It is believed that there were thirty of them in the past. Due to the large number of Orthodox shrines, this area is often called the Serbian Holy Mountain. The oldest monasteries were built at the beginning of the 14th century, but during the Ottoman Empire, most of them were destroyed. Only in the early 20th century, the restoration began, and so far, ten of them have been restored - Jovanje, Ilinje, Blagoveštenje, Vavedenje, Vaznesenje, Preobraženje, Sretenje, Sveta Trojica, Nikolje, and Uspenje presvete Bogorodice. The oldest is Nikolje, which was first mentioned back in 1476.

City Beach and Promenade

The well-arranged city beach on western Morava and promenade along it represent the perfect place for relaxation and recreation for the people of Čačak during the warm summer days. They are located not far from the city centre and are extremely popular during the summer for leisure and enjoyment. The promenade also features several cafes and clubs.

Roman Baths

The unique archaeological site is located in the centre of Čačak. The site was discovered during the excavation of the foundations for a building in 1970. It is believed to be part of a larger complex from the late antiquity period (4th and 5th centuries) that was located in the area of today's Čačak centre. The Roman Baths in Čačak are believed to have been built in the late 3rd and early 4th century AD. In the late 4th century, the baths were abandoned, and a medieval settlement with a cemetery was later established on the site.

National Museum in Čačak

The Čačak National Museum is located in the building of the Old Municipality, which is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The museum has a rich collection with over 20,000 artefacts from the Čačak, Ivanjica, and Dragačevo regions. The collection is divided into five museum departments - palaeontology, archaeology, history, art history, and ethnology. The museum also has a library with a rich collection of books and documents, as well as a conservation department. The building of the Old Municipality was constructed in 1878 in an academic style with elements of Romanticism and Classicism. Among the numerous exhibits in the museum, visitors can see the statue of the god Mercury, the honorary sabre of General Kosta Protić, the "muštikla" of Duke Stepa Stepanović, and more.

Cathedral of the Ascension of Christ

The oldest Orthodox place of worship in the territory of Čačak dates back to the 12th century and is the endowment of Župan Stracimir, the brother of Stefan Nemanja. It was once an integral part of the Monastery of the Holy Mother of God of Gradac (Moravski Gradac). Gradac is the old name for Čačak, and the new name is of Turkish origin, referring to the mud that was formed by the frequent flooding of the Zapadna Morava River. The church is located on a hill in the city and dominates the river valley with its position. The fate of the former temple followed the historical changes in that area, and it is believed that it was even converted into a mosque three times. The last time it was a mosque was from 1813 to 1828. The Church of the Ascension of Christ has been renovated several times, most recently in 2011 when it was restored to its original appearance.

Monument of Four Faiths

Čačak has always been known as a city with a cosmopolitan spirit. One testament to this is the Monument of Four Faiths, built in 1934 to honor all the fallen soldiers during the Balkan Wars and World War I. The monument, shaped like a pyramid, features four symbols representing four religions - Orthodox, Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish, making it unique in the world. The monument is located above a common grave where the remains of 920 soldiers of all faiths, who died in the mentioned wars, are laid to rest.

Nadežda Petrović Art Gallery

Nadežda Petrović Art Gallery was established in 1961 and is named after the prominent painter and photographer born in Čačak in 1873. Nadežda Petrović is considered the founder of Serbian modern art and has left behind several hundred oil paintings. The gallery possesses over 1300 artworks that are divided into six collections representing various artistic movements. The exhibition spaces of the gallery are located in three buildings in Čačak, which have been declared cultural monuments.

Memorial complex at Ljubić

The Memorial complex at Ljubić was built in 1938 in memory of the Battle of Ljubić that took place in 1815, representing one of the most significant battles of the Second Serbian Uprising. It was a clash between the superior Turkish army and the Serbian army, which emerged victorious. During the battle, the hero Tanasko Rajić lost his life while defending his cannon to the end. The complex includes a monument erected in his honor, a cemetery for fallen railway workers and workers in the National Liberation War, the graves of the national hero Radomir Duraković, and soldiers of the Red Army who liberated Čačak at the end of World War II.

Spa Resorts

The municipality of Čačak is home to three spa resorts: Ovčar Banja, Gornja Trepča, and Slatinska Banja. All three spas were known since Roman times, but it is only in recent decades that they have been developed for tourism.

Ovčar Banja is located in the central part of the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. Until the 19th century, it was a monastic spa and was then called Blagoveštenjska. The water in the spa contains sulfur, magnesium, sodium, and many other elements. The temperature ranges from 35-38°C and is used for treating nerve disorders, sports injuries, and skin conditions.

Gornja Trepča Spa (Atomska Banja) had its first bathhouse as early as 1890, but it was not until 1970 that it received the status of a spa and the construction of hotels and medical facilities began. The water temperature in the spa is around 29°C and is used for treating nervous and muscular tissues.

Slatinska Banja is located at the foot of Mount Jelica and is not developed for tourism.