Kraljevo | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Serbian Warriors Square

The central city square of Kraljevo, a place of gathering, socializing, and history, is now known as "Milutin's Square." It is a typical circular square where four important city streets intersect. It is surrounded by old city houses, some of which were built in the 19th century. The dominant feature of the square is the Monument to Serbian Warriors which was erected in 1934 in honor of the soldiers who perished in the Balkan Wars and World War I. It depicts a figure of a Serbian soldier holding a rifle and a flag. The monument and the square together form one of the largest sundials in Europe, with the rifle's tip on the monument accurately indicating the time on the surface of the square during sunny days.

National Museum

A visit to Kraljevo would not be complete without a visit to the National Museum, an institution that preserves the history, tradition, and culture of the Western Pomoravlje region. The museum was founded in 1950, at a time when Kraljevo was called Rankovićevo (after Aleksandar Leka Ranković). Since its establishment, the museum has possessed five large and valuable collections in the fields of archaeology, numismatics, ethnology, history, and art. Today, the museum is located in an old school building that has been adapted for museum exhibitions. The permanent exhibition showcases the history, customs, costumes, and artworks from Kraljevo and its surroundings, from prehistoric times to the present day, and it is certainly the best way for travelers to acquaint themselves with the city's history.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

The main and largest church in Kraljevo is located in Stara Čaršija, a part of the city that was inhabited by the Serbian population even during the Turkish occupation. It was built on the site of an old wooden church where Miloš Obrenović, a Serbian prince, once spent the night. Legend has it that he dreamt of a grand church on that spot and pledged to build it, which he began in 1824. The cathedral acquired its present appearance in 1839.

Kraljevo October Memorial Park

Memorial park dedicated to the people of Kraljevo who perished in the mass Nazi executions in 1941. In early October 1941, the German army entered Kraljevo and arrested several thousand residents. At the same time as in Kragujevac, following the order of "100 for 1," the Germans shot around 3,000 people from October 15th to 20th. This event was later depicted in the film "Red Earth" in 1975. In the late 1960s, a Memorial Park was built in Kraljevo, covering an area of 12 hectares, where the graves of those who perished in 1941 are marked.

Gospodar-Vasin Mansion

Gospodar Vasa was the first cousin of Princess Ljubica Obrenović. According to legend, Vasa was also the chief spy of Prince Miloš, one of his most loyal friends and scribes during the Second Serbian Uprising. He was also a close companion of Vuk Karadžić, as evidenced by the 66 letters exchanged between them. The house that Vasa built towards the end of his life, around 1830, is located in Sveti Sava Park. It was constructed in a traditional style and represents a typical urban and noble house from the mid-19th century.

After Vasa's death, the house became the property of the diocese, and in 1936, Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović relocated the headquarters of the Žiča Eparchy to the mansion. After the war, the National Museum operated in the mansion until it was moved to its current location. Today, Gospodar-Vasin Mansion is home to the Orthodox spiritual center "Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović."

Sweets Museum

Kraljevo can boast of having probably the sweetest museum in Serbia. The Cvetić family, descendants of the once great Kraljevo wine merchant Filip Cvetić, came up with the idea to create the Sweets Museum after the denationalization of their family house. The tradition of serving sweets as a gastronomic specialty began in our cuisine at the beginning of the 20th century, around the same time the Cvetić House was built which now houses the museum. In addition to Serbia, sweets are only consumed in Greece and Bulgaria. In this sweet museum, located in an authentic urban house from the early 20th century, you can learn about the traditional production of this delicacy, the way it is served, and you can also taste around thirty types of homemade sweets.

Mataruška Spa

Mataruška Spa is located about ten kilometres west of Kraljevo, not far from the Žiča Monastery. The spa's hot mineral water was discovered after a major flood of the Ibar River in 1897 when a new spring appeared in the exposed riverbank. In the early 20th century, the first villas were built around the spring, marking the beginning of the spa's healing history. Today, the spa is surrounded by a settlement, park, and spa centres.

Žiča Monastery

Žiča Monastery is located approximately 6 km west of Kraljevo. The monastery church of the Holy Saviour is dedicated to the Ascension of Christ and was constructed between 1206 and 1217. The founder of the church was Stefan the First-Crowned, the first crowned Serbian king from the Nemanjić dynasty. However, the construction of the monastery holds far greater significance due to his brother Rastko, better known as Saint Sava. After gaining independence for the Serbian archbishopric in 1219, he chose Žiča as the seat of the Serbian Church.

Seven Serbian kings were crowned in the monastery church. According to legend, a new door would be opened in the wall for each crowned king to pass through after the coronation, and then it would be sealed. Hence, the name "Žiča with Seven Gates" is often used.

Architecturally, Žiča belongs to the Raška architectural school and is one of its most magnificent examples. It is believed that the same craftsmen built both Studenica and Žiča. The entire façade of the church is painted in bright red with white details.

Žiča is one of the few medieval monasteries located in a plain, in an open space. Perhaps due to its location, the monastery has been repeatedly ravaged, destroyed, and rebuilt. It was demolished by numerous conquerors, and even the earthquake of 1987 did not spare it. After the earthquake, the Church of the Holy Saviour was meticulously restored to its 13th-century appearance. Today, Žiča is a monument of exceptional cultural significance.

Maglič Fortress

Just 25 km from the city, on the way to Novi Pazar and at the spot where the Ibar River meanders around the Stolovi Mountain, lies one of the best-preserved medieval Serbian cities - Maglič Fortress. The fortress dates back to the 14th century and is situated at a location where it was possible to control the passage through the Ibar Valley. The present-day complex consists of ramparts 270 m long, eight towers, a palace, and the Church of St. George. The part of the Ibar Valley beneath Maglič is known as the Valley of Lilacs. According to legend, lilacs were planted in honor of the welcome to Helen of Anjou, the Serbian queen and wife of King Stefan Uroš I. Within the fortress walls, the main part of the Days of Lilacs event takes place every spring.

Pariz Tavern

The oldest tavern in Kraljevo, located in the building of the former "Pariz" hotel on the Square of Serbian Warriors. A legendary place in Kraljevo that exudes the atmosphere of bygone times and preserves history on its walls. With traditional dishes, pastries, and the buzz of a tavern, Pariz is a place that remains etched in memory.