Konak Traditional Boarding House Jagodina
The Jagodina Municipality is town in Central Serbia, right by the highway Belgrade – Niš, with some 36.000 inhabitants, and population of 70.000 in its 53 village settlements. The Belica River flows through Jagodina and joins the Velika Morava River as its left tributary by the village of Lanista north of Jagodina. Under its name it was mentioned during the Turkish reign when the Ottomans settled in this part of Serbia and named their settlement with Jagodina palanka. This name remained until 1946 when communists changed it to Svetozarevo, after the communist leader Svetozar Marković. The original name of Jagodina was regained by the referendum od 1992. Korun Koca Andjelkovic was the famous leader of the Serb chetnik volunteers in the Austrian-Turkish war 1787-1791 and mostly fought in the area of Pomoravlje and Jagodina was born in the nearby village of Panjevac, the present Kocino selo village.
The Djurdjevo brdo – George s Hill promenade – potok – stream is wonderful and nicely appointed park with benches, flowers, a stream, spring water and a fountain, that make excellent space for excursion with enjoyment, relaxation and walks. The Đurđevo brdo Park is symbol of the town of Jagodina which since 2015 makes lovely space rich in numerous trees and lavish greenery, walking trails, benches, a swing, a seesaw for children, as well as the Summer stage and the 122 meters long fountain system. This beautifully arranged park of Jagodina used to bear the name of the Student Park, as it was daily visited by gymnasium students and pupils. In the communist time it was tradition to organize the First May reveille on the Djurdjevo brdo Hill in Jagodina. The natural and quiet atmosphere of the Jagodiona Park today provides options for relaxation, rest, enjoyment, invigoration, likewise the option for a cultural or artistic event on the Summer Stage and in the summer garden, but also to visit the nearby attraction of Jagodina – the ZOO, the Wax Museum, the Aqua Park….
The historian travel writer Felix Kanitz writes that there was the Roman fortification on the Djurdjevo brdo area and a tiny chuch for which some resources claim that was built by despot Djuradj Brankovic, after whom the hill was named. At the beginning of the 20th century, Stevan Ivanović – the son of the Romani duke Atanasije Ivanovic – Tasa Aračlija who originated from Jagodina (1801-1896) and had served in Tsarigrad /present Istanbul/ and Belgrade, had had gifted their large estate called the araclijski potok on the Djurdjevica brdo to the Municipality of Jagodina, under condition that there it should be arranged the public park. The Municipality kept the promise and in 1904 arranged the park and constructed the Summer Stage – Pavilion that after several restorations turned into the Hunting restaurant. In 1904 the Municipality of Jagodina erected the Memorial fountain at the entrance to the Araclijski potok – which was the original name of the stream from the time of Tasa Araclija, and used to commemorate the gift of Stevan Ivanovic. On the fountain there was the plaque with the inscribed text „The grateful Jagodina Municipality, 1904 to donor Steva A. Ivanovic, for memory on his late father Atanasije Ivanović-Aračlija, the Mother Sophia and brother Pera and Sister Jelena“. Visitors refresh themselves in this park fountain, and locals traditionally get supplied with cold spring water. The wonderful panorama of Jagodina and the surroundings spreads from the top of the Djurdjevo brdo hill, above this wonderful park.
The tourist facility of Etno kuca Konak – the Konak Boarding House as the part of the Fontana Company started its work in 2009 on the very top of the Djurdjevo brdo hill, which is the excursion spot of Potok – stream. The entire facility of the Etno Konačište Konak in Jagodina is designed in ethno – traditional style, fully constructed from natural materials, with wood prevailing. The accommodation of Konak Boarding House Jagodina is arranged in 4 twin rooms with single beds, laminate floors, mini fridge, a wardrobe, central heating, and bathrooms with shower. The Konak Boarding House in Jagodina has the open fire place and serves guests with old traditional food, and nearly forgotten dishes prepared under recipes of our grandmothers. Visitors of the Konak Boarding House in Jagodina enjoy in tasty dishes that regain memories of the older generations – Cabbage Casserole, Serbian baked sauerkraut, stuffed peppers, bean stew, lamb and goat meat slowly cooked under the pot, and flavors that remind us how fine and healthy food used to be in the past. From the open terrace of the Konak guests enjoy in uniquely beautiful view to the city of Jagodina and fresh air, which along with delicious food make all conditions for relaxation, enjoyment and rest.
