Serbia, Told By You – Shepherd’s Tales from Rtanj

Author: Marko Jovanović (43), Belgrade

I had always heard that Rtanj Mountain hides mysteries—some talk about its perfect pyramid shape, others about legends of treasure, and many about its rare healing herbs. One early summer morning, as I was hiking towards the peak, I met Stojan and his wife Slavica. They were gathering herbs in woven baskets, carefully picking each plant as if it were gold.

Curious, I stopped to greet them, and soon they began explaining the secrets of the mountain. Stojan showed me wild thyme and said it was the strongest medicine for the lungs. Slavica pointed to St. John’s wort, which, she told me, chases away sadness. They spoke with such warmth and knowledge, as if the mountain itself whispered through them.

What struck me most was not only their wisdom but their kindness. After we filled our baskets, they invited me to their small wooden hut at the foot of the mountain. There, Slavica brewed a pot of freshly picked herbs, and I tasted the most fragrant tea of my life. “Every sip heals something,” she said with a smile.

Over a cup of warm tea made from mountain thyme and mint they had just picked, Stojan began to tell me stories that sounded like something from a fairy tale. He spoke about the pyramid-like shape of Rtanj and the legends surrounding it – of hidden treasures, secret tunnels, and even the healing energy that attracts people from all over the world.

“Rtanj is not just a mountain,” he said softly, “it’s a living being. If you respect it, it gives you everything you need.”

I left their hut with a handful of dried herbs they had gifted me and a heart full of warmth. Suddenly, reaching the summit seemed less important than that unexpected encounter. Through Stojan’s and Slavica’s tales, Rtanj became more than just nature – it became a place of memory, mystery, and kindness.

If you ever visit Rtanj, don’t just rush to the top. Stop and listen. The mountain has many stories to tell, and sometimes they come from the people who have spent their entire lives in its shadow.

What else to see near Rtanj?

Soko Banja – one of Serbia’s most beautiful spas, perfect for relaxing after a hike.
Lazarev Canyon – raw wilderness with dramatic cliffs, a true paradise for adventurers.
Ravanica Monastery – the legacy of Prince Lazar, preserving the spirit of medieval Serbia.
Bogovinska Cave – an impressive underground world filled with halls and cave formations.