On the crossroad of main streets, in the sunny valley in the West of Serbia, there is a tucked place full of stories and undiscovered jewels- Požega. Although often neglected because it is placed on the way to the two popular tourist destinations, Požega has a lot to offer to those who decide to stay there for a while.
Out of the clouds of fog which often cover the roofs of its houses, rises Požega Valley. Picturesque and very fertile, this valley has painted one of the prettiest sceneries in which hug is a town with one of the most unusual squares in Europe.
Its unique appearance and rich history have always decorated the round town square which has been the heart of this small, undiscovered place for centuries. Because of that, whatever season is that you come here, you won’t be bored at the Liberty Square in Požega.
Many cafes, restaurants and shops make this place the center of all town happenings. Still, summer is the season when this square shines in its full glow. That is when the benches are filled with people who are chattering, children who are playing around and the young who are walking down the square.
The square was created in 1832 by order of Prince Miloš Obrenović in a highly specific manner. Namely, on a wide plain a stake was stabbed, the rope was tied to it, and around the rope a circle was marked. Crossing the main streets on that spot created a unique square which has been a symbol of the area ever since.
Many cultural and music manifestations are held exactly on this square, and in the last 9 years, this place has also been the host of one of the biggest student film camp – Interaction, which participants come from all around Europe. Liberty Square has also won the award for the most successful architectural work in 2012.
Prince Miloš Obenović’s house, the important monument of history
Village in the vicinity of Požega, Gornja Dobrinja, has recently become the owner of the renovated memorial complex built in the honour of Prince Miloš Obrenović, who was born there.
At the place of the old wooden church, Prince Miloš built the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul made of brick and stone in 1822, as his own endowment, and still preserved wooden chardak was built in 1860. as the endowment of his father Todor.
This unusual building is an important monument of this region, and its main function was accommodation for the Prince and his guests during Church sabors and other celebrations.
Railway Museum- a treat for the train lovers
One more attraction of this area is the Railway Museum which is one of the oldest museum of this type.
Visitors have the opportunity to see exhibits which date back to the time when there was a system of narrow gauge railway in the are of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Steam locomotive for the narrow gauge railways, the famous RAMA (the oldest in the world), the first Serbian train „001 Milan“ from the 1882, the American „two-headed dragon“ from the Great war, armored Partizan locomotive, as well as the fastest and strongest one. The thing that fascinates people the most is the saloon-wagon of the heir to the throne Franz Joseph from the 1897 which was a synonym for luxury with its wallpapers.
How to get to Požega?
Požega is settled at the freeway M5, the intersection of the important roads and can be easily reached from any part of Serbia. From Vojvodina, Belgrade, Valjevo across Divčibare from the North, from Montenegro across Zlatibor and Užice from the West, from Niš, Kraljevo, Kragujevac, Belgrade and Čačak from the East and Arilje and Ivanjica from the South.
If you are already here, you shouldn’t miss…
Visit Zlatibor and be amazed by the one of the most beautiful mountains in Serbia. If you decide to stay, beside the idyllic scenery, you can enjoy the great nightlife and amazing traditional kitchen within which you shouldn’t miss on trying out pršuta, kajmak, sour milk and komplet lepinja.
Visit one of the most beautiful ethno parks “Terzića avlija” which represents old typical village backyard with two houses: one for the host, old more than a century old, and other one for the guests.
Tour around Potpećka Cave – the monument of nature and most important caving locality in the Western Serbia which is half-way from Požega to Užice.
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