Zlatibor, a jewel at the altitude of 1,000 meters

With its natural resources, beside being one of the most popular destinations for rural and sports tourism, mount Zlatibor has become a major center of health tourism as well

A legend says that it was named after white pines with yellow needles like old gold that once covered the beautiful slopes of Mt. Zlatibor. Today the last “golden” pine can be seen in the village of Negbina. Its Latin name is Pinus sylvestris variegata zlatiborica.

This area was first inhabited by the Ilyrian tribe Parthini. The remains of this culture – ornamental ceramics decorated with characteristic patterns fingernail impressed into the clay were found in caves and steep mountain tops where they lived. Numerous tombs were found in Zlatibor at different locations – Krivorečka gradina, Kremna, Braneško Polje…

After the arrival of Romans new fortifications and roads were built, and a large number of tomb stones dating from the 2nd and the 3rd century were found at the Kremna village. The Slavs started settling here after the 9th century and they built a fortress in Dobroselica in Gradac where remains of old fortification can still be seen. Around the year 1180 the Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja included Zlatibor and the town of Užice in the Serbian Grand Principality (Rascia).

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A true jewel of Western Serbia today is one of the most visited mountain centers. At 1,000 meters above sea level, mild climate lures visitors all year round. Zlatibor is well known for sport and rural tourism, but it is a particularly attractive medical tourism destination.

In winter Zlatibor is the meeting place of all fans of winter sports. A vast plateau 30 kilometers long and 12 kilometers wide is surrounded by mountain peaks Gradina, Crni vrh, Čigota, Murtenica, Tornik, Čavlovac and Vijogora and headwaters of the Sušica River.

The rivers Crni and Veliki Rzav (Black and Grand Rzav) have cut their way through the mountain slopes in Zlatibor, while the Uvac River makes beautiful canyons in the southern slopes of Zlatibor.

These rivers and two artificial lakes abound in fish thus making Zlatibor an ideal destination for all passionate fishermen. This mountain is also rich in mineral water springs, and one of them is located in Vapa Spa near the village of Rozanstvo.

During warmer period of year schools of paragliding and hang-gliding, also tennis and basketball are organized in Zlatibor. While you’re here, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to take a pleasure ride on the Šargan Eight Railway. The narrow eight shaped railway track will offer you a unique steam train ride between Šargan and Mokra Gora.

Every year Zlatibor hosts numerous manifestations. The Trumpet Festival and exhibition of traditional folk art that takes place by the end of July, gathering numerous orchestras and folk ensembles, attract most visitors. Serbian hunters’ meeting and Zlatibor wolf hunt is one of the oldest manifestations on Zlatibor that takes place by the end of February and gathers all hunters from the region.

However, “Pršutijada” is the most famous manifestation in Zlatibor. The fair is organized by producers of smoked meat products from Čajetina municipality who are treasuring the authentic production technology.

Once you’re on mount Zlatibor, don’t miss the opportunity to stay at the “Palisad” hotel. It’s versatile offer will satisfy even the most demanding guests.

How to get to the mountain of golden pines?

You can get to Zlatibor by train, bus or your own vehicle.

If you decide to travel by train, it will take you to Užice which is 25km from Zlatibor, from Užice you can take a local bus to your destination.

To get from Belgrade to Zlatibor you should take the highway to Montenegro, and your destination is 220 km away. There are daily bus connections from all major cities in Serbia, and there are buses from Belgrade to Zlatibor every half hour or hour.

When you are already here, don’t miss…

“Drvengrad” – the one of a kind ethno village on Mećavnik, Built as imagined by famous director Emir Kusturica.

If you are visiting the mountain in the first half of august, don’t miss the Guča brass festival, one of the largest trumpet festivals in Serbia. The total distance between Zlatibor to Guča is 43 km.

And you must try kajmak, ham and cheese, but also the specialty of Serbian cuisine and this region, the “komplet lepinja” (a kind of bun with kajmak eggs and gravy).

zlatibor.org.rs