Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you like water attractions? Or do you like animals better? Or, would you rather have a glimpse of the past? Then make sure you visit a city in the flatlands of central Serbia named after a most delicious fruit.
We’re talking about Jagodina, of course. A city practically designed for tourists, can offer you virtually everything, from parks and waterfalls, zoos and water parks, to numerous museums and churches. So? What are you waiting for? Waste no time and head straight to Jagodina!
Start of the day with a walk and enjoy the sights of “Potok” park
Anyone who ever took a stroll through Jagodina’s city park has described it as an oasis full of greenery and flowers! And with good reason!
The city park Djurdjevo brdo isn’t an ordinary park. Djurdjevo brdo is a symbol of Jagodina, a resting place with trails, benches, childrens’ parks, but also a summer stage, a system of fountains 122 meters long and, since 2015, the first artificial waterfall in Serbia.
So, if you want to breathe in fresh air, rest your eyes and enjoy free cultural events, take a walk to the Potok park’s Summer stage.
Spend your afternoon in Jagodina’s Jungle Book
Animal lovers, Jagodina thought of you! Not far from all the other city attractions, is the Zoo. The “Tigar” zoo is the only zoo south of Belgrade, and it has become a mandatory stop of every school excursion, as well as for those who simply like animals.
Jagodina’s zoo is home to over 80 different species. Amongst the 150 inhabitants of the zoo you can find: bengal tigers, leopards, lions, mountain lions, zebras, giraffes, camels, kangaroos, seals, and many other interesting animals.
The “Tigar” zoo spreads across 2 ha of land and follows the highest standards. You can have a trained guide take you through the zoo. And should you need to rest you have benches, a fast food stand, a souvenir shop, a restaurant and café with a play area for the little ones.
What more can a zoo offer?
If you’re not a fan of walks, maybe you could do with a swim?
Jagodina’s Aqua park is located in the immediate vicinity of the Zoo. The water park is spread across 3,5 ha of land and can offer you 7 pools both for sports and for recreational use. Apart from the Olympic-sized pool for those who want to swim a few pool lengths, this water park has various water attractions for kids. It also has a system of water slides 600 meters long for children as well as for those whose inner child is alive and well.
Great news for all those who enjoy sports! Next to the park you can find a basketball court, courts for regular and beach volleyball, handball, tennis and futsal, a football field and even karting tracks.
However, there is a number of restaurants, cafés and pastry shops for those who would like to do the opposite of sports – wine and dine.
After a spot of lunch, make sure you visit the Vax Museum
The Museum of Vax Figures is an integral part of the sports-amusement complex Potok Đurđevo brdo. The interesting thing about it is that Jagodina is the sixth city in Europe to have such a museum, and the first one in Serbia. 30 renowned people who left their mark on Serbian politics and science, history and religion, culture and sports, have found their home in this museum. The display has a wide range, from Serbian athletes and writers to emperors and saints.
The museum is open from 9 am to 8 pm. There is also a souvenir shop where you can purchase something to remind you of your visit to Jagodina and Serbia.
If you dislike vax creations, drop by the Regional Museum of Jagodina
If you happen to dislike vax museums, we recommend visiting a different kind of museum – the Regional or Zavičajni (as it is called in Serbia) Museum. This cultural establishment of the highest rank exhibits over 100.000 of archaeological, natural, historical, ethnological and artistic showpieces.
Just so you know – there was life in Jagodina even in the prehistoric age. The oldest evidence of life on the territory of Jagodina dates from the Stone Age (circa 5500 years BC.), and in the 1st century, a Roman settlement was built around Đurđevo brdo. A medieval village of Jagodna is even mentioned in a 1399. correspondence between Kneginja Milica and her sons. The Turks have practically named Jagodina by calling it Jagodina palanka.
The evidence of this historical facts is located in this very museum.
End the visit with a waterfall
We have come full circle and came back to where we’ve started. In the heart of Potok park you can see the first artificial waterfall in Serbia. The waterfall is 7 meters high and 12 meters wide thus representing one of the biggest tourist attractions in the region.
You can, and should, end your stay in Jagodina, the city that can offer a tourist virtually everything, by having a relaxing drink near this colourful aquatic display.
If you have an extra day in Jagodina, make sure you also visit:
The National Library, the oldest cultural institution in Jagodina.
The Botanical Gardens of the Teacher Education Faculty, in which you can find around 240 plant species, 30 of which are extremely rare or endemic.
The Church of Saint Archangel Mihajlo known as the “Old church” or “Stara crkva”, in which there is a tablet for determining the date of birth of Knez Miloš.
The Curch of Saint Petar and Pavle
The Museum of Naïve Painting, with more than 2500 sculptures, paintings, drawings made by Serbian and foreign Naïve artists.
The Monasteries Ravanica, Manasija, Jošanica i Kalenić, monuments of the famous Moravska škola, located near Jagodina.
Author: Maša Maksimović
