In Kraljevo, guests were always greeted with a pure heart and open arms. Here, guests were always given the best apple and the most comfortable chair. It is a city that is recognized by its wide city square, streets that intersect at right angles, the Ibar quay, Žiča, Studenica, Maglič, but the greatest values of this city are the people of Kraljevo and their cheerful spirit.
Welcome to Kraljevo
The city with an open heart is recognizable by the streets that intersect at right angles and by the beautiful city square dominated by “Milutin” – a monument to Serbian warriors.
Kraljevo is a city of rich history and culture, on whose territory the modern Serbian state was created 8 centuries ago, and that is why the tourist monasteries Žiča and Studenica, the medieval fortress Maglič and the architectural pearl carved in the rock – the Upper Hermitage of Saint Sava – are unavoidable tourist tours. Certainly, tourists whose history is in the first place should also visit the city museum, which is located on St. Sava Square, which also houses the Church of the Holy Trinity, the historical archive, and Lord Vasin Konak, which houses the Orthodox Spiritual Center Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović. In Kraljevo, it is worth seeing the new magnificent temple of Saint Sava, next to which the Zice diocese is located.
An unavoidable point for visits should be Memorial Park, where the Germans shot several thousand citizens of Kraljevo in the Second World War on October 14, 1941.
The city itself is interestingly architecturally designed and represents a real pedestrian oasis because the central city square and the streets that depart from it are closed to traffic. In the pedestrian zone, there are many cafes, bars, pastry shops and pizzerias, and shops selling the world’s most prestigious brands. For long walks, the promenade by the river Ibar is ideal, where there are several rafts of cafes where you can have coffee or a drink and relax in the beauties of nature just a few hundred meters from the central city bustle.
Kraljevo through the centuries
The first mention of the settlement called Rudo Polje dates back to 1476. Somewhat later, around 1540, a double name was used: Rudo Polje and Karanovac. During the visit of King Milan Obrenović to Karanovac, at the citizens’ request, on April 19, 1882, the name was changed to Kraljevo. In the short post-war period (1949 -1955), the name Rankovićevo was used so that the name Kraljevo would not be re-established for long.
Ancient Rome and Byzantium left traces in this area. Janok, Rajanovac, and Vrnjacka Banja in the neighborhood date back to that time. The oldest mention of a place in the Kraljevo area can be found in Byzantine sources from the 10th century, which mention the densely populated Janok, which was probably located southwest of Kraljevo, in the area of today’s Konarevo.
Since its inception and play an important role in economic, social, and political life, these areas have been part of the Serbian state, but here is primarily the spiritual center of the young Serbian state. At the end of the 12th century, the Studenica monastery was built, the endowment of the great prefect Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the independent Serbian state and the ancestor of the Nemanjić dynasty.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the monastery of Žiča was built, the endowment of Stefan the First-Crowned, in which he was crowned in 1217 as the first Serbian king. Since 1219, the monastery of Žiča has been the autocephalous Serbian church’s seat and the first Serbian archbishop of Saint Sava. It is believed that Karanovac became a more important settlement only in 1718, after the signing of the Peace of Požarevac and the establishment of the Austrian-Turkish border along the West Morava.
Manifestations of Kraljevo
Maglič Fest – feel the medieval spirit
Maglič Fest is a manifestation that takes place in the area of the medieval fortress Maglič. Knightly battles, performances by the best groups performing medieval music, acting performances, historical lectures, troubadours, singers, princes, princesses, pageants, medieval bazaar, archery, long jump competition, throwing stones from the shoulders, running in sacks will put you in the time machine with which you will sail into the Middle Ages and gain an experience that you will remember forever.
Prom (maturski ples) – the day when youth dances
A prom is an event that takes place in the central town square. Kraljevo high school graduates from all high schools dance the quadrille, and most often, everything ends in a folk circle. Kraljevo is the first Serbian city to join the “European Quadrille Dance Festival” in 2005. Today, the Prom is played in over 20 cities and municipalities. It is held in the middle of May, exactly at noon when the graduates dance to Johann Strauss’s music.
ROCK & RIVER- royal rock in the royal city
Rock & River is a music event held at several locations in the city. A few live gigs along the Ibar, at the floating restaurant and cafes along the river, ends with a big rock concert in the city center.
Rural tourism fair – the discovery of hidden pearls
The Rural Tourism Fair is an event that aims to present the wealth of Kraljevo villages and hardworking and helpful hosts who are engaged in rural tourism. Colleagues from numerous tourist organizations also participate as guest exhibitors at the fair, so that in one place, you can see a wide range of services that offer a quality vacation in the Serbian countryside. Interesting lectures are held at the fair, and the event ends with a traditional and big celebration.
Veseli spust – Happy reggata
The happiest regatta in Serbia. The descent down the Ibar from the medieval fortress Maglič to the town beach in Kraljevo. Several thousand participants, the most imaginative vessels, several trumpet orchestras promise a crazy time on one of the most beautiful and fastest Serbian rivers.
Rural tourism in the vicinity of Kraljevo
Holidays in the countryside are not ordinary holidays. It is a holiday that evokes memories. If you want to return to some happier and carefree vacation time in one of the many households that provide accommodation and food in the villages of Kraljevo, it is the right choice. Whether you choose Rudno, which is ideal for all those who want to breathe fresh air and treat their palate with top gastronomic specialties of local cuisine, or Lopatnica, which is peace and purity of the river attracts those who need a break from the everyday hustle and bustle. Both places are located near cultural and historical monuments (Rudno near the monasteries Studenica and Gradac, Lopatnica near the monastery Zica and the medieval fortress Maglic), so the holiday can be combined with visits to these important monasteries and fortresses. For those who have a spirit of exploration, we recommend walks on mountain trails, cycling, rafting on the Ibar, paragliding from Stolovi, etc.
Active vacation in Kraljevo
Cycling and mountain biking
Kraljevo is a famous cycling center. In addition to a large number of champions of this sport from the cycling club “Metalac,” the city has a large number of recreationists who enjoy this activity. Permanent urban and suburban infrastructure has been enriched with new bike paths.
Mountain biking has even more fans. Many trails on Stolovi, Golija, Radočel, and other Kraljevo mountains make it unforgettable to enjoy the natural beauties and adrenaline rush. Going down by bike from Čiker (1325 m), one of the peaks of Stolovo, from which on one side you can see Goč, Željin, Kopaonik and beautiful pastures with herds of wild horses on Ravni Stolo, and on the other side, the town of Kraljevo or the valley of centuries is an incredible experience.
Rafting, Kayaking, and Canoeing
Through the territory of the city of Kraljevo, flows the river Ibar, which with its beeches and rapids, which often alternate with calm currents and whirlpools, is ideal for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as wild water kayaking. The Buk “Grmčić” trail, where kayak competitions are held on wild waters, is best in this part of Europe. Kayak clubs “Studenica” from Ušće and “Ibar” from Kraljevo, as well as various sports associations and extreme sports clubs, have skippers, kayaks, and canoeists who can, with the best equipment, safely transport tourists through this “adventure water”.
There are several rafting tours. The descent from Biljanovac to Ušće is 12 kilometers long, and one of the most beautiful is the trip from Ušće to Maglic, it is 30 kilometers long, full of beeches and rapids, and ends at the foot of the medieval town of Maglič.
Paragliding and panoramic sightseeing by plane
Kraljevo and its surroundings with their mountains provide excellent opportunities for paragliding. Special geomorphological conditions and types of winds and air currents provide conditions for this adrenaline sport. This enabled the Kraljevo paragliding club “Eol” to achieve excellent results. Solo and tandem flying are possible for those who want to enjoy flying over Kraljevo and the surrounding area. There are several ideal take-offs and terrains for paragliding, especially on the mountains of Stolovi, Golija, Radočelo, and Troglav. The Aero Club in Kraljevo has a long tradition, so the panoramic view of Kraljevo and its surroundings, from sports planes, has long been part of the city’s tourist offer. It is possible to photograph and photograph Kraljevo from the air and enjoy the view of the “Valley of Centuries”, which includes Maglic, Zica, and Studenica, then the meanders of the West Morava, which flows slowly through the plain and the city itself, which is located on three rivers.
Off-road tour
These are activities for which there are also extraordinary conditions on the territory of the city of Kraljevo. There is an increasing number of competitions, show rides, or services in the form of the tourist offer of numerous clubs and associations. One of the ways to enjoy the nature of this region is to drive these powerful four-wheelers, whether they are jeeps, Lada fields, other off-road vehicles, or quads, through “wild” landscapes whose beauty takes your breath away.
Archery
Archery is one of the activities that everyone can try who wants to feel the Middle Ages’ chivalrous spirit. It is especially authentic to shoot with an arrow from traditional bows used in the middle Ages.