Lilac Days in Kraljevo | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

The Lilac Days in Kraljevo represent a cultural and tourist event dedicated to the memory of the French princess and the holy Serbian queen, Jelena Anjou, wife of King Stefan Uroš I.

Towards the end of April or beginning of May, this one-day event takes place every year for over a quarter of a century at various locations in and around Kraljevo - Žiča Monastery, Sopoćani Monastery, and Gradac Monastery, as well as within the walls of the Medieval Maglič Fortress, in the so-called Lilac Valley.

Jelena Anjou was a Hungarian princess of French origin who, by marrying King Stefan Uroš I Nemanjić, became the Serbian queen and spent a full 26 years on the throne. Remembered for her acts of kindness, wisdom, strong cultural and educational influence (she founded the first women's school in the Balkans), and philanthropy, she is considered one of the most important women in Serbian medieval history, with her image and deeds still vividly remembered by the people centuries after her death. The significance of Queen Jelena Anjou is best illustrated by the fact that shortly after her death in 1317, she was canonized and proclaimed a saint of the Serbian Church, being the only woman of medieval Serbia to have a hagiography written about her.

Interestingly, the symbolism between Jelena Anjou and lilacs dates back to the mid-13th century when the future queen first arrived in Serbia, then the Kingdom of Rascia. In order to impress his future wife, King Uroš ordered the planting of thousands of fragrant lilac trees in the rocky gorge of the Ibar River as a welcoming gesture to Jelena. Even more intriguing is that these lilacs have survived to this day, blooming every spring, just as they did seven centuries ago.

The event, organized since 1993 by the Association for the Preservation of Traditional Friendship between the Serbian and French People "Saint Jelena Anjou," abounds with cultural, artistic, and educational content.

After the opening at Trg srpskih ratnika (Square of Serbian Warriors) in Kraljevo, the center of the festivities moves to the courtyard of Sopoćani Monastery, the endowment of King Uroš I, and then to Gradac Monastery, the endowment of Queen Jelena, where a traditional history lesson is held. The most festive part of the event, including performances by local cultural and artistic societies, a Renaissance and ethno music festival, and a competition in preparing traditional dishes, takes place within the walls of one of the most beautiful Serbian medieval fortresses, Maglič, in the valley of the Ibar River.

For more details and information, please contact the Organizer or Tourist Organization of Kraljevo.