Zavicaj Traditional settlement Zvecan Rural Tourism

Zavičaj Ethno traditional settlement /„Homeland“/ is located at the foot of the Rogozna Mountain, in the very north of Kosovo and Metohije, in the tiny village of Banov Do, on the 5th km from the Medieval town of Zvecan. The Zavičaj Ethno traditional settlement is set in the valley of the Kozarevska Reka river in Ibarski Kolasin – one of the most picturesque areas of Serbia, which covers the valley of the upper course of the Ibar River up to the Ribarice Gorge and the Zupce village, close to Kosovska Mitrovica, which is 20 km away. The Mehov krš border point with Montenegro is 35 km away, so the Ibarski Kolasin area can be considered also as the border area. The sleepy village of Banov Do proudly bears the tradition which has it that here were the vineyards of Banovic Strahinja /epic hero of the Kosovo poetry, that is how the village got its name/. In this mountainous, pretty hidden valley /zhupa/ there are some 60 villages, settled with highly dynamic and tough population, whose highlanders language is well-preserved in the structure and expression of clear Serbian language of the „ijekavica“ dialect.

The Zvečan Municipality is located in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, in the valley of the Ibar River, which is surrounded to the south-east with the extinct volcano of Zvecan, Mali Zvecan, Sokolica and Majdan Mountain. The Zvecan Municipality is encircled by steep and rocky slopes of Kopaonik Mountain-National Park, Mokra Gora Mountain and Rogozna Mountains, which all provide various outdoor activities. The artificial lake of  Gazivode has been built in 1977 and features total volume of 370 mio sq m, and the surface of 27 sq km, making the favorite excursion destination for nature lovers, fishermen, and water sport adventurers. The terrain configuration, climatic conditions, geological features of the Ibarski Kolasin area, as well as the mountainous rivers created diversified vegetation of sub-Mediterranean and the Alpine flora. On the mountains surrounding Zvecan, there are thick coniferous forests, mostly of pine, fir, spruce…

All the villages of Ibarski Kolašin region are famous for ectremely hospitable and friendly locals, who produce and offer visitors healthy and tasty vegetables and fruits, smoked meat and bacon, dairy products, corn bread, “filia” and hominy, all prepared in traditional way. The homemade sljivovica – plum brandy or brandy prepared of wild pear go best, and visitors feel as at home.

In the 15th century Ibarski or Stari Kolašin was known as Klopotnik area, along the hill with the old fortification above the Ugljare village, on the left bank of the Ibar river. The Ibarski Kolasin is the mountainous ravine in the valley of the upper course of the Ibar River, which is encircled on the south and north with ranges of the Mokra Gora and Rogozna Mountains. On the east of the Ibarski Kolasin spreads vast Pester Plateau of the Stavica, divided by the wild Mojstir or Ribarice Gorge, along which flows the derivation of the Ibar river waters, while in the east this area is connected with the Plain of Kosovo, on the source of Jagnjenicka Reka river, by the village of Cabra, upstream of Kosovska Mitrovica. The Mojstirska reka river is tributary of Ibar river, which joins it right before the gorgeous canyon and source o the Miljina glava.

Zvečan is significant Roman, Byzantine and Medieval town and fortified stronghold in Kosovo and Metohija, close to the settlement of same name, north of Kosovska Mitrovica, that was regarded as the strongest fortification of Nemanjic Kingdom. Zvečan Fortress is located near the mouth of the Sitnica River into Ibar River, on the top of the extinct volcano vent that rises for 800 meters above the Ibar River. An extraordinary panorama spreads from towers of the Zvečan fortress, to the Ibar River Gorge, Kopaonik Mountain, Rogozna Mountain and the plain of Kosovo, while during the clear day it is possible to view the Metohija area, surrounded with show-peaked Šar planina Mountain. Crna Reka Monastery is situated in Ibarski Kolasin area in the south-westernmost part of Serbia, on the border with Montenegro. Crna Reka Monastery is named after the Crna reka river which is underground river, that sinks some 1,5 km above the monastery, and after some 2 km appears again in the surface. Crna Reka Monastery comprises the tiny remote and secluded ancient Cave-church dedicated to the Archangel Michael with the frescoes from the end of the 16th century. In Crna Reka Monastery are kept the Holy relics of Saint Peter of Korisha who was hermit in the village of Korisa near Prizren. Crna Reka Monastery is a hermitage in the midst of the south-west Serbian mountains /Mokra Gora Mountain/ situated in the secluded gorge of the Black River. Crna Reka Monastery lies at the crossroad between Kosovska Mitrovica, Rozaje /Montenegro/ and Novi Pazar, within the area of Ribarice village and the lake, 310 km south of Belgrade.

In 1267/67 the „glorious palace“of the Queen Helen is mentioned, /Queen Helen was wife of King Uros and mother of kings Dragutin and Milutin/, who established the first school for orphan young girls and who died here in 1314. The natural characteristics, mineral ore and richness of waters, meadows and forests greatly contributed to establishment of the Medieval road which connected the Valley of Raska with Metohija district. The present day church dedicated to the Entrance of the Holy Virgin into the temple in the Duboki Potok village, in the east part of the zhupa of Ibarski Kolasin, is mentioned in some historical archives as the monastery from the 14th century. The Turkish annals /defter/ has the area ruled by Brankovic family with the Monastery of „Dikodil“, which is most likely the Duboki Potok Monastery. The Devine Vode Monastery is located 8,5 km away from the town of Zvečana and is dedicated to the Icon of the Three Hands Holy Virgin. „The  Medieval town of Jeleč is the former stronghold and residence of the Nemanjic Dynasty, and was erected on the remains of the extinct volcano on the Rogozna Mountain, at the elevation of 1262 m, and highly adjusted to the pretty inaccessible terrain, which enabled its protective role during history. Remains of the Jelec fort are in quite well conditions. In some parts, there are walls and towers that rise to 10 meters in height, while all around the stronghold there are ruins of the defense walls, exclusively constructed with nicely cut ashlar square stones“, says expert Dragica Aleksić Premović.

The Zavičaj Ethno traditional settlement provides comfortable accommodation and finest homemade food, along with variety of outdoor activities and touring options to the well-preserved heritage and customs. Total accommodation capacity is 35 beds which come in single, double or twin, triple rooms and apartments. All rooms and apartments of the Zavičaj Ethno traditional settlement are located in chalets – wooden houses of the Kosovo-Metohija type of architecture. All rooms and apartments of the Zavicaj Ethno traditional settlement are equipped with wooden furniture, comfortable beds, working table with chair, LCD TV, heating, free Internet and modern bathrooms with shower cabins.

Within the Zavičaj Ethno Traditional settlement there are spaces nicely appointed in wood and stone, which provide full enjoyment and relaxation of visitors – the fish ponds with mountainous trout, authentic water mill, workshop for preparation of cakes and sweets, or the culinary course which provides basic knowledge on preparation of tasty traditional food or the delicious pickled salad, open space for barbecue, and roasting and slow/healthy cooking under ceramic pots, meeting room with 40 seats, vast restaurant with 120 seats decorated in a number of ethnographic details, as well as the terrace with 120 seats, from where spreads magnificent panorama of the village, beautiful surroundings and the lovely small church dedicated to the Queen Helen and Emperor Constantine. In the entire ambiance of the Zavičaj settlement prvail natural materials – wood, stone, tiles and lots of ethnographic details /traditional costumes, old agricultural tools…/ that best represent the rich heritage of the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Restaurant of the Zavičaj traditional settlement serve mouthwatering food uniquely characteristic for this area, which is prepared of locally grown supplies – „rednica“, grilled meat, hominy of grind corn, mountainous trout from the own fishpond, dished slowly cooked under the pot, kaymak, cheese, smoked ham, fresh vegetables and fruits, natural honey…  The Zavičaj Traditional settlement in Zvecan in its premises organizes various events, parties, celebration of baptism, weddings, birthdays, seminars, courses, festive meals and similar. The workshops or old crafts or cooking are extraordinary interesting and make enjoyable atmosphere for both the participants and cordial experienced local artisans and chefs who conduct them. During their stay at the Zavičaj traditional settlement, guests take part in various outdoor activities on the Gazivode Lake, which became the favorite excursion spot and adventure destination, or activities along the breathtaking ranges of the Mokra Gora Mountain, which shimmer in the waters of the lake. Here the air is extremely clean and fresh, and numerous fishermen and adventurers find best places to immerse into challenges and express their exploration and hedonistic spirits, fully discovering advantages both a mountain and a lake provide. The outstanding local Association Outdoor In – Development of tourism of the Zubin Potok Municipality”, the “Berim” Mountaineering Club and the InTER organize various outdoor activities that attract more and more challenge-lovers : hiking, alpinism, gliding, free-climbing Via Ferrata, wind surfing, rowing, kayaking, cruising along the Gazivode Lake, camping, adventure races, orienteering….