Požarevac | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Milena Pavlović Barili Gallery

Probably the most famous person from Požarevac in the world, Milena Pavlović-Barili was born in this city, and today her birthplace houses a gallery with nearly nine hundred original works by the renowned painter. One of the most valuable galleries in the country was founded in 1962, bringing together the entire artistic legacy of the artist, who is considered the only representative of surrealism in Serbian painting. In addition to original oil paintings, drawings, and graphics, the gallery also contains a wealth of written material from the pen of the famous painter, as well as from her numerous admirers. Although she left Požarevac as a girl, and her short life was filled with travels, her hometown had a special place in the memory of Milena Pavlović-Barili. After the premature death of the painter, her mother Danica bequeathed the house to the state with the idea of preserving the memory of her daughter and the internationally recognized artist.

Požarevac Peace Memorial Complex

Just a kilometer away from the center of Požarevac, there is a place of exceptional importance for European history. Namely, on the elevation called Sopot, the so-called Požarevac Peace was signed in 1718 between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. This peace treaty was preceded by years of warfare between the two great empires, which took place mostly on the territory of Serbia. Led by the famous military commander Eugen of Savoy, Austria-Hungary inflicted heavy defeats on the Ottoman Empire several times, forcing it to retreat and sign a truce. Although the permanent withdrawal of the Ottomans from our regions would start much later, this event is considered the beginning of the decline of their power in the Balkans. Due to the lack of suitable buildings in Požarevac itself, the Požarevac Peace was signed under a large tent erected for the occasion on the Sopot hill. Today, at that location, there is the Požarevac Peace Memorial Complex, with a building in the shape of a tent and a permanent exhibition symbolically depicting the signing of the truce between the two warring sides.

Tulba Ethno Park

In the immediate vicinity of the Požarevac Peace Memorial Complex, you will find the Tulba Ethno Park, part of the Požarevac National Museum, where traditional architecture from the Braničevo region of the 19th century is displayed in an open-air setting. The park showcases authentic residential and commercial buildings transferred from their original locations in the lower Pomoravlje region and the Mlava River basin. This unique museum exhibition was established in 1972 with the aim of familiarizing visitors with the way of life and traditions of the people from these regions. The park also includes the Tulba restaurant, where you can taste traditional culinary specialties of Braničevo and the surrounding area.

Čačalica Memorial Park

One of the favorite excursion spots for the people of Požarevac is located on Čačalica Hill, just over one kilometer from the city center. This is actually a memorial park dedicated to the memory of thousands of civilians and anti-fascists who were executed here during World War II. The symbol of this park is the sculpture Monument to Freedom, also known as the Star. The park is home to the memorial ossuary for the Red Army soldiers, where the remains of 441 Soviet soldiers are laid to rest. In their honor, 441 white birch trees, brought from the former Soviet Union, were planted in the park after the war. Despite its memorial character, Čačalica is one of the favorite locations for walking, organizing trips, and recreation.

Viminacium Archaeological Park

Just a little bit less than 18 kilometres north of Požarevac, in the vicinity of the village of Kostolac, you'll find the archaeological park and site of Viminacium. For history enthusiasts, this archaeological site is a top destination as it is one of the most significant monument complexes of antiquity in the Balkans. In this area, from the 1st to the 7th century AD, there was one of the most important settlements of the Roman Empire and the capital of the Roman province of Upper Moesia, which included the largest part of present-day Serbia. Since the first archaeological excavations in the late 19th century until the beginning of the new millennium, hundreds of authentic objects and artifacts from the Roman period have been discovered, such as gates, mausoleums, tombs, baths, amphitheaters, and more. The representative museum was opened in 2006 and is one of the most important attractions on the tourist map of Serbia, greatly visited by foreign tourists as well. The tourist potential of this site was significantly enhanced by the discovery of a mammoth skeleton in 2009, symbolically named Vika, which is also exhibited in the Viminacium complex. These unique attractions can be enjoyed with a guide at a price of 600 dinars for adults and 400 dinars for children and retirees, while children under 10 can enter for free.

Ram Fortress

About twenty kilometers northeast of Viminacium, in the small village of Ram, on an extremely attractive location overlooking the Danube River, stands the magnificent medieval fortress. Although administratively belonging to the municipality of Veliko Gradište, Ram Fortress is most frequently visited from the direction of Požarevac. Recently renovated and opened to visitors, the Ram Fortress is over half a millennium old. It was built by the Turks in 1483, during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, as an important strategic object between two significant fortresses - Smederevo and Golubac. The Turks also participated in its reconstruction, enriching the cultural and historical heritage of Serbia with another attractive site. The visit to Ram Fortress can be done independently or with a guide at a price of 300 dinars per person. At the foot of the fortress, there is a pleasant café where visitors can refresh themselves while enjoying the beautiful view of the mighty river.

Silver Lake

Just 20 minutes from Ram Fortress, in the direction of Veliko Gradište, you'll find Silver Lake - one of the most popular bathing spots in Serbia. It was created in 1971 when the former Danube riverbed was cut off by two dams, creating an artificial reservoir where thousands of tourists spend their summer months. Silver Lake can be reached from various directions, but the route from Ram Fortress is undoubtedly the most attractive due to the road that runs alongside the Danube. The harmonious natural and ambient setting makes it an extremely pleasant place for swimmers, anglers, families with children, and all nature lovers seeking a relaxing stay. Silver Lake is fully equipped with tourist infrastructure and all accompanying facilities - a well-maintained beach, promenade, restaurants, beautifully appointed villas and apartments, water sports, and more.

Dobrnjčevi House

For history and ethnography enthusiasts, another interesting destination in Požarevac is Dobrnjčevi House. The house, which belonged to the descendants of the famous Karadjordje's voivode, Petar Dobrnjac, is now owned by the city and has been adapted into a museum space, showcasing the culture of living in this region during the First and Second Serbian Uprisings. Located in the city center, with an exceptionally well-maintained exterior, Dobrnjčevi House is one of the most representative buildings in Požarevac. To visit this site, prior notification to the National Museum is required.

Monasteries

In the vicinity of Požarevac, there are several Orthodox sanctuaries built in the Moravian style, typical for this part of Serbia. Some of them are mentioned in written sources from the Middle Ages (Zaova), others are associated with interesting legends (Sestroljin, Bradača, Rukumija), while others are considered miraculous (Tumane). Most of these monasteries have been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt throughout history, so their authenticity cannot be fully determined today. However, this does not diminish the significance of these sanctuaries, which are visited by tens of thousands of Orthodox believers from all over the country.

Ljubičevo Stud Farm

Ljubičevo Stud Farm is one of the oldest stud farms in Serbia, established in the mid-19th century when, by the order of Prince Miloš Obrenović, his estate near the Velika Morava River covering an area of about 300 hectares was transformed into a breeding farm for purebred horses. His son, Prince Mihailo, later named this estate "Ljubičevo" after his mother, Princess Ljubica. The Ljubičin Konak and several stables were built here, and at the end of the century, the Danube Circle of Riders "Prince Mihailo" was established. The stud farm grew into a European-level institution in the early 20th century, with about 500 horses. Over time, it experienced ups and downs but has survived to this day. The most successful horse of this stud farm was Ljubičevac, the winner of the highest accolade in gallop racing, the Triple Crown, and a monument was erected in his honor. Ljubičevo Stud Farm is the venue for one of the most significant events in this part of Serbia - Ljubičevo Equestrian Games.