Kraljevo, the city of seven kings

Kraljevo, a city in which seven Serbian medieval kings were crowned, is now a place where one can hop in a hand-made vessel and join “The Merry Race” down the Ibar river.

Kraljevo, known as “the heart of Šumadija”, is the city on three rivers, surrounded by five mountains and two spas. The city owes its name to seven kings who were crowned in the nearby Žiča monastery. The traces of their reign can still be seen, that is why the city of Kraljevo has always been a “royal city”.

Its very surroundings – the Valley of lilacs with the mysterious medieval city of Maglič located in the very heart of Serbia 180 kilometers far from Belgrade, will remind you of a novel about princesses, dragons and chivalry.

But not everything is so mystical here, every July there is “The Merry Race”, a jolly original regatta organized on the Ibar river.

But in Kraljevo, everything is still “regal”! The coat of arms of the city of Kraljevo has seven crowns symbolizing the seven coronation ceremonies of the Serbian medieval kings in the Žiča monastery.

This land is rich in legends and stories, but there is only one legend about the “Žiča of the Seven Doors”. Legend has it that seven kings were to be crowned here and that for each a door would be opened and then bricked up. Legend or not, there are seven doors still visible on the monastery luring visitors to hear its story.

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People here have truly something to be proud of – the city lies on three big rivers – the West Morava, the Ibar and the Gruža. Their tributaries are numerous, and in summer months they are a favorite destination of the city residents. Here even some fishing trophies can be caught.

If they ever get tired of rivers or they simply wish for something different, they can enjoy the beauties of nearby mountains – Goč, Stolovi, Troglav, Radočelo…

Visitors can also go to some of three nearby spas – Vrnjačka, Mataruška and Bogutovačka, offering mineral waters, spa treatments and full body rejuvenation. And they will be welcomed properly!

The Kraljevo area has been inhabited since ancient times. Vrnjačka banja (The Spa of Vrnjci) was a well known Roman spa. However, this small town of Rudo Polje, as it was once named, and later Karanovac, was at the peak of its glory during the time of the Nemanjić dynasty.

The monasteries of Žiča, Gradac and Studenica, that was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List, as well as the medieval city of Maglič, testify of their power.

In honor of old times, to the delight of present and for the glory of the future times, the people of Kraljevo organize numerous manifestations – “Projada” (Corn bread fair) and “Pasuljijada” (Beans fair), “The Days of Lilacs” and “Žiča Sabor”, numerous fairs of folk art and one truly and unique, “the Merry Race”.

On that occasion the Ibar valley is crowded with “crazy” vessels. Rafts can be bought, rented or simply made by hand – out of wood, plastic, rubber, old bottles or barrels… the only thing that counts, is that it “floats”!

Kraljevo is inhabited by friendly and warmhearted people. They will take their guests to some of city “kafanas” (traditional taverns) to try local specialties of the Serbian cuisine and party with them till early dawn.

As true good hosts, they will show visitors the best and most valuable the city has to offer. The coat of arms treasures the city motto, completely in accordance with warm-heartedness and directness of this region: “Good for us, harm to no one”.

How to get to Kraljevo?

Kraljevo is in central Serbia 175km from Belgrade, so many significant roads intersect here. If you are coming by car from the direction of Belgrade, take the Ibar highway Belgrade-Ljig-Čačak-Kraljevo-Raška.

There are two way to get to Kraljevo the Belgrade-Niš motorway, and the exits for this city are at Batočina and Pojate.

You can also get to Kraljevo by train which departs from Belgrade and goes through the eastern parts of Šumadija, over Lapovo and Kragujevac towards Kraljevo and later Čačak.

There are buses to Kraljevo from all the major cities of Serbia.

When you are already here don’t miss…

…village tourism, enjoy the village households, homemade products and forest areas of Šumadija.

In the begging of July, in Kraljevo the international Jazz festival “Jazzibar” is held, and towards the end of august don’t miss the Festival of alternative arts “StreetArtFestival”.