Kruševac | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Monument to Kosovo Heroes

The capital of Serbia during the Battle of Kosovo, Kruševac is a city whose central square has been adorned for over a century with a magnificent monument dedicated to the memory of this fateful, tragic, and glorious battle. The Monument to Kosovo Heroes in Kruševac is the work of sculptor Đorđe Jovanović, which was solemnly unveiled by King Peter I Karađorđević in 1904. The sculpture represents a complex composition whose main motif is the representation of Boško Jugović with a broken sword and a flag in his hand, on whose head a Vila places a laurel wreath as a symbol of eternal struggle. The figure of the guslar Filip Višnjić at the base of the monument symbolizes the endurance of this struggle through the centuries and the preservation of the "Kosovo myth" from oblivion. On the eastern side of the pedestal, there is a representation of the last communion of the Serbian army before the start of the battle, while on the opposite, western side, there is a relief depicting the murder of the Turkish Sultan Murad. One of the oldest and most important historical monuments in Serbia, it is now a symbol of the city of Rasina and the main meeting place for the people of Kruševac.

Lazarev Grad Archaeological Park

Probably the greatest tourist and cultural-historical attraction of Kruševac is Lazarev Grad, the remains of a medieval fortress from which Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović ruled over Serbian lands. First mentioned in a record from 1381, this fortress had its capital role until 1405 when Lazar's son, Despot Stefan Lazarević, first awarded this title to Belgrade. After the fall of the Serbian despotate in 1454, Lazarev Grad permanently fell into Turkish hands and remained under them for centuries. From the glorious medieval days to the present, only a few city walls and a few buildings have survived in the complex of Lazarev Grad, including the magnificent Court Church of Lazarica and the so-called Donjon Tower. In the 1970s, a monument to Prince Lazar, by author Nebojša Mitrić, was also discovered in the complex.

Simić House

In the immediate vicinity of the Kosovo Heroes monument, you will find the renowned Simić House - the oldest preserved building in Kruševac, whose exact construction date is unknown, but it is presumed to date back to the late 18th century based on its architectural style. The house was built during the Turkish rule, allegedly as the residence of the Vrenčević noble family, and after the liberation in 1833, its owner became Stojan Simić - a prominent politician and godfather of Prince Miloš Obrenović. In this house, the famous Knez-Miletina uprising took place in 1835, which resulted in the adoption of the Sretenje Constitution. Today, a part of the National Museum in Kruševac is housed in the Simić House, aiming to reconstruct family life in the region during the 19th century.

Miniature Park "Serbia"

One of the significant attractions in the city of Kruševac is located on the Bagdala hill, one of the most popular city excursion sites. Although it is themed around the Middle Ages, the Miniature Park "Serbia" is of more recent origin and was established in 2019. It is an artistic projection of the map of Serbia on an area of about 30 acres, featuring accurate models of the most important Serbian medieval monasteries. The author of this project is the Belgrade artist Boris Stajkovac.

Milić od Mačva Gallery

In the immediate vicinity of the Lazar's city, there is a legacy of one of the greatest Serbian painters of the 20th century, Milić Stanković, better known as Milić od Mačva. The renowned painter of historical motifs donated over 120 artworks to Kruševac, representing different periods and events from Serbian history, with a focus on the Kosovo Battle. The initial idea of the painter was to establish the legacy near the Gračanica Monastery, but due to the political situation in Kosovo in the late 1990s, Kruševac was chosen as the Serbian medieval capital. To add to the symbolism, the Legacy in Cara Lazara Street overlooks the Lazarica Church. The legacy exhibits Milić od Mačva's most significant works, such as compositions like "Mother Jevrosima," "Prince Lazar and Princess Milica," "The Noble Hrebeljanović Family," and others.

Šarengrad Amusement Park

The newest tourist attraction in Kruševac, intended for the youngest population, is the Fun Park Šarengrad. Situated in close proximity to the road that leads from Kruševac to Brus and Kopaonik, this park, among numerous children's facilities (playrooms, mini golf, chess, zip line, etc.), also features extremely faithful replicas of dinosaurs, which can only be seen in Zlatibor, Belgrade, and the Nature Center in Svilajnac.

Jastrebac

The most forested mountain in Serbia is located less than half an hour's drive or about 20 kilometers from Kruševac. With relatively gentle slopes and several prominent peaks reaching over 1400 meters above sea level, Jastrebac is a mountain that represents the natural border between Toplica and Pomoravlje. Within the complex of mixed forest stands, the white birch forests, protected by law in this area, are of special natural value. Clear streams, natural springs, rich flora and fauna are a magnet for nature lovers, hikers, cyclists, and forest fruit pickers. The most popular part of this mountain and a favorite excursion spot for the people of Kruševac is the Ravnište site, which features a small artificial lake and a few hospitality establishments that provide the most pleasant stay in the mountains. In winter months, Jastrebac also offers skiing opportunities for beginners.

Ribarska Banja (Fishermen Spa)

On the northern slopes of the forested Jastrebac, about 34 kilometers southeast of Kruševac, lies Ribarska Banja - a natural spa and rehabilitation center for various types of rheumatism and orthopedic conditions, as well as a kind of air spa and a place for relaxation. The healing properties of its thermal springs were discovered in Roman times, and the spa was known even during the Turkish rule. It experienced its most significant development under the Karađorđević dynasty, which is why it is still often referred to as the "royal" spa. As much in this region is connected to Prince Lazar and the Battle of Kosovo, the origin of the name Ribarska Banja is no exception. According to legend, it derives from the fishermen who used to catch the highest quality trout for the prince's court in the Jastrebac streams and rivers. Ribarska Banja is now a modern spa with a full range of medical and spa services.

Ćelije Lake

An ambient complex of exceptional beauty is located approximately halfway between Kruševac and Prokuplje. It is a multipurpose artificial lake called Ćelije, created by damming the flow of the Rasina River in 1977 to supply water to the residents of Kruševac. The lake is named after the village of the same name, part of which was displaced and submerged during the filling of the lake basin, and the same fate befell the village of Zlatari. The primary hydrological purpose of this lake has long exceeded its initial role. Today, Ćelije is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Rasina District, a popular excursion site, bathing place, main destination for local fishermen, and a true treasure trove of biodiversity in this part of Serbia.

Stalać Medieval Fortress

About a 15-minute drive, or a little less than 15 kilometers from Kruševac towards Ćićevac, there is another extremely valuable cultural-historical monument - the medieval fortress of Stalać, or what remains of it today. Not far from the confluence of the two Morava Rivers, where they form the Great Morava, there was a fortification from ancient times, on the foundations of which Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović built the Stalać Fortress in the 14th century. In its immediate vicinity, there is also the famous Todor of Stalać Tower, a folk hero whose death is immortalized in the epic poem "The Death of Duke Prijezda." Although not in a representative state, this site has great historical and archaeological significance, so reconstruction of this important medieval fortress can be expected in the near future.