Vranje | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Besna Kobila

One of the highest and most beautiful mountains in Serbia is located about 40 km east of Vranje and is relatively easily accessible by local road from the direction of Kriva Feja. With a height of 1923 meters, the summit of Besna Kobila offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountain giants on a clear day, such as the Šar Mountains, Kopaonik, Rila (in Bulgaria), and even Olympus (in Greece). Well connected, with gentle slopes and mostly covered with meadows and pastures, Besna Kobila possesses great tourist potential that, unfortunately (or fortunately), has not yet been fully utilized. A pleasant and not too demanding mountain hike can start from the mountain lodge of the same name, from where it is about 5 kilometers one way to the summit of Besna Kobila. After the hike, in the modest mountain lodge, it is possible to refresh with food and drinks at very affordable prices, characteristic of southern Serbia. There are no other tourist facilities on this mountain, so Besna Kobila is a true destination for true nature lovers, fresh air, and an invaluable view.

Aleksandrovačko Lake

Aleksandrovačko Lake is an artificial water accumulation located about 8 km south of Vranje, in a shallow depression between two hills where the villages of Aleksandrovac and Kupinince have emerged. Once a favorite outing spot for the people of Vranje, it is now insufficiently arranged and quite neglected, but despite that, it represents a frequent weekend destination for locals and a beautiful ambient unit where fishermen especially find their pleasure. Although the original plan was to connect the reservoir with the South Morava River through a channel, the water of the lake is still not flowing today, so swimming in it is not always recommended. However, the tourism potential is undeniable, so there is hope that it will be recognized and used in the right way in the future.

Pržar

Approximately halfway to the top of Mount Pljačkovica, which rises steeply above the city to an elevation of 1230 meters, lies the touristically popular site - Pržar. Situated at an altitude of about 600m, covered with dense deciduous forests, Pržar offers the most beautiful view of Vranje, the Vranje basin, and the South Morava region. Folk legends say that one summer the sun literally burned the vegetation on the southern slopes of Pljačkovica, giving this site its name. This low mountain or hill represents a tourist destination of local character, where the people of Vranje often spend their leisure days, weekends, and holidays. In that sense, Pržar can be compared to Avala or Košutnjak (for Belgraders), Fruška Gora (for Novi Sad residents), Vršac Hill (for Vršac residents), Karađorđevo Hill (for Jagodina and Paraćin residents), etc. Pržar is also home to the eponymous restaurant, one of the most popular in the city.

Saint Prohor Pčinjski Monastery

One of the most significant medieval monasteries in southeastern Serbia is located on the wooded slopes of Mount Kozjak, in the valley of the Pčinja River, near the village of Klenike, about 30 kilometers south of Vranje. It is dedicated to the early Slavic saint and prophet Prohor Pčinjski. The history of the monastery is associated with an interesting legend according to which Prohor Pčinjski prophesied to Diogenes that he would become the Byzantine emperor. When the prophecy came true, Emperor Roman Diogenes (1068-1071) fulfilled his promise to Prohor by building the monastery. Throughout its turbulent history, the monastery has been repeatedly destroyed, looted, burned, and restored. One of the most significant renovations was carried out by the greatest Serbian patron, King Milutin, while the current church was built in 1898. The spacious altar area houses the tomb of Saint Prohor Pčinjski and a monastic ossuary.

The crystal-clear Pčinja River, a tributary of the Vardar, flows in the immediate vicinity of the monastery. The clean, clear, and fast-flowing river allows visitors to enjoy not only the beauty of the monastery but also the beautiful landscape, swimming, and fishing in the rarely clean river. For this reason, school excursions and tourist tours to the Saint Prohor Pčinjski Monastery are very popular throughout Serbia.

Paša's residences

Although there are several, the most striking objects of Ottoman heritage in Vranje are probably the Paša's residences. They belong to the best-preserved examples of architecture in the so-called Balkan style in southern Serbia. They were built by Raif-beg Džinić in the distant year of 1765. The complex consists of two connected buildings, one of which served as a residence for men (selamluk), while the other was intended for women (haremluk). The rooms on the upper floor are connected by a wooden bridge. After the withdrawal of the Turks, the building was used for various purposes, including housing the Vranje Gymnasium for a period of time. Today, it houses the Vranje National Museum.

Bora Stanković's Birth House

The birth house and memorial museum of Bora Stanković, one of the greatest Serbian writers of all time, the creator of the Serbian modern novel, and the author of numerous poems and short stories, is located in the old part of Vranje, in Baba Zlatina Street, at number 9. Built in the mid-18th century in the spirit of folk architecture, with picturesque architecture and a beautiful courtyard, it was converted into a museum in 1967 and remains one of the most significant tourist attractions in Vranje. The exterior and interior have been successfully reconstructed to evoke the time in which the great writer lived and created.

The White Bridge

In the old part of Vranje, known as Gornja čaršija, one of the symbols of Vranje, the famous The White Bridge, extends across the Vranjska River. It dates back to the Turkish era, as evidenced by the white marble plaque with an inscription in Turkish. For many years, no one knew what was written on it until Hafis Lufti Munsalihović, a Muslim registrar and a good connoisseur of oriental languages, translated the text in the first half of the 20th century:

"This bridge shall be called the White Bridge; it shall serve as a relief. Let the water flowing beneath it serve people's health. Passersby, cross the bridge once and return. You will see that it has been built for the good of every person. O Muhammad, intercede for the humane owner Ajša, so that God may forgive her sins and the sins of her parents."

The White Bridge was built in 1844. As indicated in the inscription on the Turkish-language charter, the name of an unknown woman named Ajsha is discreetly mentioned, with the belief that she financed the construction of the bridge. However, as the text later mentions the concept of forgiveness, our people have woven an intriguing legend that explains the bridge's genesis. According to the tale, the enchanting and affluent Ajsha, the daughter of a local bey, fell in love with Stojan, a Serbian shepherd. One fateful day, she decided to elope with him, but her father intercepted their escape. Determined to rid himself of the would-be son-in-law, he fired a bullet in Stojan's direction, yet Ajsha courageously stepped in and tragically lost her life. The second bullet found its mark in Stojan, and at the very spot of their demise, the people constructed the White Bridge—a poignant symbol of ill-fated love.

Vranjska banja

Vranjska banja is one of the most visited tourist destinations in this region. It is located 10 km east of the city, or 6 km from the Niš - Skopje highway. It lies at an altitude of about 400m, at the foot of the Besna kobila mountain range, and has a very pleasant climate. Vranjska banja is one of the oldest in Serbia. It served as a bathing place for prehistoric humans and has been known as a spa since the Middle Ages. King Petar I Karađorđević, who was a regular visitor, played a significant role in promoting Vranjska banja at the beginning of the 20th century. The main feature of Vranjska banja is its thermo-mineral springs, with water temperatures ranging from 94°C to 110°C, making it one of the hottest spas in Europe. The warm mineral water enables the treatment of various ailments such as rheumatism, post-traumatic conditions (bone fractures), neurological disorders (discopathy, sciatica), initial stage of female infertility, etc. Cooled mineral water also has beneficial effects on digestive organ ailments. In addition to being a spa, Vranjska banja offers opportunities for recreation, hunting, fishing, organized hiking and cycling tours, and, of course, enjoying specific culinary specialties.

Events

DANI VRANJA - The event originally organized by nostalgic "Belgrade" residents of Vranje in 1976, under the name "Days of Vranje in Belgrade," moved to the city it is dedicated to in 2005 and became the largest showcase of Vranje's rich cultural heritage. With the support of the city authorities and the Vranje Tourist Organization, it quickly grew into the largest event in southern Serbia, with an annual attendance of around 200,000 visitors.

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BORINA NEDELJA - The event in honor of the great writer is held in Vranje every year at the end of March. It was first organized in 1967 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the writer's death and is one of the oldest events of its kind in Serbia. During the event, numerous activities are organized where elementary and high school students, professors, academics, and all admirers of this distinguished Vranje native read, discuss, and analyze his famous works. Symbolically, the prestigious "Borisav Stanković" literary award was established, dedicated to the best book of prose in Serbia.

Famous People from Vranje

Borisav Stanković (1876 - 1927) was the greatest Serbian realist writer and the founder of modern Serbian novel. He was an outstanding storyteller, playwright, and novelist, a great poet of youth, love, sevdah (a traditional music genre), and merak (a specific state of pleasure), the transience of life and human tragedy, a "painter" of old Vranje and its patriarchal atmosphere. He is the author of many significant literary works, among which "Koštana," "Nečista krv" (The Impure Blood), "Gazda Mladen," "Božiji ljudi" (God's People), and others stand out.

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Jovan Hadživasiljević (1866 - 1946), one of the greatest Serbian historians, philosophers, ethnographers, and writers, an explorer of southern Serbia and Macedonia. He served as the secretary of the Society for National and Cultural Propaganda for 36 years, publishing over 200 original scientific papers. He crossed Albania with the Serbian army. Due to being denied a pension by both the old and new authorities, he died almost forgotten, lonely, and hungry.

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Otac Justin Popović (1894 - 1979), also known as Ava Justin, was a theology professor at the Sremski Karlovci Seminary and the University of Belgrade. He was the editor of the magazine "Hrišćanska misao" (Christian Thought) and, together with Branislav Petronijević, the founder of the Serbian Philosophical Society. He was a translator of church literature and one of the greatest Serbian theologians and thinkers. He died as a monk in 1979 at the Ćelije Monastery near Valjevo.