Soko Banja Spa
Sokobanja is a spa in Eastern Serbia rich in mineral healing waters, situated in the footstep of Ozren Mountain (1117 meters high) and the wonderful Rtanj Mountain /1565 meters, the Siljak peak/, next to Moravica River, at the altitude of 400 meters. Thanks to its invigorating characteristics, featuring natural sources of radioactive mineral waters and mild moderate continental climate without fog and strong winds, the Soko Banja Spa is particularly suitable and recommended for vacations and recreation throughout the year. Surrounded with abundance of greenery and wooded mountains, without any big polluters, the Soko Banja Spa is the oasis of fresh air and tranquility, strongly recommended both for the healthy and the ill people. There are numerous well-marked hiking trails in the mountains surrounding the Soko Banja Spa, as well as professional hiking guidance of local experienced hiking guides.
Natural curative factors of the Soko Banja Spa: thermal-mineral sources of Soko Banja Spa are radioactive aqua-therms with thermal characteristics of waters. The Soko Banja Spa radioactive water is scientifically attested highly beneficial and stimulating the activation of repair of mechanisms that protect diseases as it features low doses of ionizing radiation. The water temperature of Soko Banja Spa is 28 o to 45.5 o C with a high degree of radioactivity to 13 MJ. Radioactive radon gas, with radiation from 33.7 to 50 MJ, also used in treatments. Climate of Soko Banja Spa has a great beneficial effect on the body.
Medical indications of Soko Banja Spa: Diseases of the respiratory, rheumatic diseases, gynecology chronic diseases, stress syndrome, neuralgia, the state of peripheral nerves after injury, neurosis.
Medical treatments in Soko Banja Spa: Thermal springs are among the most radioactive in Serbia. There are six of these sources. The radioactive water of Soko Banja Spa is used in the treatment of swimming, taking water for drinking and other therapy. Inhalation is done in special inhalation chambers, strong inhalation of radioactive gas. The most common form of Soko Banja Spa medical treatment is bathing in thermal waters.
Places to see in Soko Banja and surroundings: The Medieval fortified town of Soko Grad is located on the rock above the Moravica River Canyon, some 2 km from the center of the spa. This is fortification erected at the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century, on the foundations of the Roman stronghold. During the Serbian Medieval state here were settled Serbian landlords and novelty. Soko grad fortress was destroyed in 1413 in clashes for the throne between Bayazed son Musa and rebel Hamiz Bey, and was never rebuilt. Hiking to the top of the Soko grad fort provides wonderful experiences….
The Jermencic Monastery is medieval shrine from the 14th century located 8 km southwest of Soko Banja Spa. According to tradition the Jermencic Monastery was built by the Armenians fleeing from the invasion of the Turks, who found the place to hide in remoteness of the Ozren Mountain. The preserved church of the monastery is dedicated to the archangels Gabriel and Michael.
During rich history Stevan Sremac, Branislav Nusic and Ivo Andric, famous Serbian writers were regular guests of Sokobanja Spa. The famous Turkish baths of the Soko Banja Spa was built in the 15th century on the foundations and springs from the Roman time, and is nowadays the Park bath, so called the Hammam. The Turkish bath is well reconstructed and features museum values, under protection of Institute for protection of cultural monuments of Serbia. The Hammam Turkish bath is located in the center of Soko Banja Spa and is run by the Special Hospital of Soko Banja. Visitors of Soko Banja Spa can here at the Hamam take a pleasant hot bath in pools with medical curative water, or take various massage or beauty-cosmetics treatments or inhalation, run by the medical staff of the Special Hospital of Soko Banja Spa. It was first refurbished by King Miloš Obrenović who often visited and stayed in the spa. Across the Hamam bath of Soko Banja Spa is located the Milosev konak – Milos Residence, used for the king’s administration and escort. Today it is turned into the place for catering facilities and cafes, but still retains its original appearance. The Milosev konak residence was last time reconstructed in 2005 and served as the shooting spot for the famous film of “Zona Zamfirova”, directed by Zdravko Šotra.
Near the center of Soko Banja Spa is the Ripaljka Waterfalls, the highest water-slope in Serbia, featuring slope more than 40 meters high. The Bovan lake, one of the cleanest lakes in Serbia, 7 km far from Soko Banja Spa is the heaven for fishermen. Some 2 km from the center of Soko Banja Spa, in the village of Gradašnica, on the river with the same name, there is the Grudonjske Vodenice authentic ethnographic complex of watermills and various old items used in the past centuries by population of East Serbia and the Soko Banja Spa area. There one can taste finest old-fashion food and take part in the culinary course /preparation of homemade bread from freshly ground flour from grain or corn…./ that when baked – best goes with kaymak and cheese. The unique /100 years old/ ethno watermill “Kod deda Mije” is set in intact nature near the Vrmdza Lake, close to the village of Vrmdza, some 12 km away from the Soko Banja Spa. This traditional watermill is still in function, but was also turned into the restaurant that prepares and serves only authentic tasty food of Serbia – homemade bread, corn bread, gibanitza /cheese pie/, hominy, roasted meat, grilled trout, various fresh organic salads… Sokobanja’s hunting grounds are rich in wild game are real challenge for the nature lovers and passionate hunters. The source of the Moravica River, 15 km away from Soko Banja Spa, on the road to Knjazevac is an extraordinary natural phenomenon, since the river is formed by several sources which can not be seen, as they spring directly from the river bed. Moravica River is 45 km long and it joins with Juzna Morava in Aleksinac. The Moravica River springs at the spot called “Vrelo-Istoci” at the foot of the Devica Mountain. In the close proximity is the place for relax and sit in the nature, equipped with wooden tables and benches, along with the barbecue area, to grill meat and trout from the local fishpond. Only 100 meters to the east is the small cave, interesting for visitors with a camera. On the path which leads to the spring in the center of the village, there is a church of Saint Eliah – Sveti Ilia, built in the 19th century as foundation of the Princess Persida Karadjordjevic.
In Soko Banja Spa is, naturally, seat of the Adonis Company – the leading Serbian producer and collector of medicinal herbs and aromatic plants from nature, specialized in redemption, procession and packing of the medicinal herbs and teas. Since its foundation in 1991, the Adonis Company from Soko Banja Spa is awarded with numerous prizes and visit to this successful company or some of its picking campaigns is strongly recommended. Adonis Company Soko Banja Spa features numerous acknowledgements for its work: the Chamber of Commerce Prize for over 20 years of successful business and achievements in development and improvement of economy in 2011; Absolute Champion of quality at the Nature and Men in 2002; Prize for design for the Teasy Teas by Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina in 2007; Cup of Novi Sad Fair for continuous products quality for 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003; Cup of Novi Sad Fair for the standards of quality of Teasy Teas in 2011; Large Gold medal for tea in 2011; Large Gold medal for the Teasy Teas campaign in 2011; Gold tea-pot for the best innovation of the 5th Tea Festival in Nis in 2008; 12 large gold medals for quality of tea components; 10 gold medals for mixture of medicinal teas; 12 large gold medals for mono-component teas; Large gold medal for the Hibiscus and Green Tea tea quality of the Teasy pack in 2007; First Prize for the stand arrangement among all fair events in 1994
