Mineral water from Prolom banja (eng. Prolom spa), due to its healing properties and absence of color and smell, is nowadays bottled and sold in the entire region.
Prolom banja is located in the city of Kuršumlija, in Southern Serbia, at the foot of the mountains Radan and Sokolovica, 290 kilometers from Belgrade. At 630 meters above sea level it is one of the spas with the highest altitude.
It was named after the neighboring village of Prolom, while its springs have been used since the ancient times. During the Turkish rule, this spa was abandoned and forgotten. After World War II, people have spread the word of a miraculous recovery of one of its patients, and the number of visitors multiplied.
It is blessed with mild continental climate with more summer days than average in Serbia (82 days), lower humidity and temperate winds. Its lush vegetation has particularly stimulative effect on human organism and immune system.
According to the research, mineral waters in Prolom banja are rare type of water with high balneological values thus being used for wide range of treatments. Its main characteristics are alkalinity, presence of ozone and silicon acids, as well as low concentration of fluorine (below 0,2 mg/l). This water can be consumed in unlimited amounts.
Water from Prolom banja has no smell or taste and it is used for treatment of diseases of the digestive system, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and respiratory disease, diseases of the urinary tract, gynecological disorders, skin diseases, anemia, and conditions after injuries.
Curative mud, created by mixing the thermal water and soil from around the spring “Pupavci”, is used for mud baths and mud wraps for treatments of dermatological diseases, varicose veins, rheumatism and some prostate diseases.
Different kind of recreation activities are at visitors’ disposal at Prolom banja. Djavolja varoš (eng. Devil’s Town), a unique place on earth with mystical stone sculptures, is located 11 kilometers from Prolom banja. Djavolja varoš itself has two springs of extremely acid water with high mineral content.
Visitors can visit the St Petka Church which is a monument of the Nemanjić era of Serbia. It is build with stone and covered with stone blocks.
The Lazarica Church, 2,4 kilometers from the spa, is located in the valley of the Prolom river near the village of Prolom. It is an old church made of wood, built by the people that have settled here after they came from Mt. Golija in 1890. The church was erected on the foundations of an old church.
According to the popular belief, a part of Serbian army led by the Prince Lazar received communion in this church right before the Battle of Kosovo.
Exceptionally favorable location and mild continental climate only contributed to its already growing popularity. Prolom banja is rich in springs of thermo mineral water that reach temperatures 26 to 31,5ºC and have numerous curative effects. This water has a very pleasant taste and no smell, so it is bottled and as such recommended to healthy people as well.
Prolom banja offers more than just spa tourism. This is also an active recreational and picnic destination.
Organized tours to Kuršumlija, St Petka Church, Lazarica Church, the remains of the Roman royal palace Felix Romuliana and Djavolja varoš are at visitors’ disposal at any time. Long walks in picturesque nature will have positive effects on everyone eager for relaxation and recreation.
How to get to Prolom banja?
If you are coming to Serbia by car from the direction of Belgrade and Novi Sad, it is best to take the motorway to Niš, and then take the highway over Prokuplje towards Kuršumlija (don’t turn towards the city), all the way to Rudare, then turn left to Prolom banja which is 10 km from the turn.
From Novi Sad, Belgrade and Niš there are direct bus lines to Prolom banja. If you are going from another city, it is best to go to Kuršumlija and then take a local bus to the spa.
When you are here don’t miss…
Djavolja varoš (Devil’s Town), specific earth figures created by nature which almost became one of 7 world wonders of today.
The Lazarica church, a pearl of the Morava architecture built in 1375 in honor of Prince Lazar’s firstborn son and heir to the throne, despot Stefan, as the legend goes this is where Prince Lazar’s army had its communion before the Kosovo battle.
58km away from Prolom banja at the elevation of 681m is the highest spa in Serbia – Lukovska Banja.
If you want to see what the houses looked like in the time of the prehistoric man, then definitely visit Pločnik, the one of a kind Neolithic settlement on the archeological locality of Vinča culture which is in the 22km when going from Prokuplje towards Kuršumlija. Reconstructed houses made from wattle and mud will evoke the period in which the Neolithic man first melted metal.
