Somewhere on the border between three countries: Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, nature broke away from man. It spread over wood-covered hills and mountains, camouflaged rapids and streams, harboured many shrines, and concealed history so that it does not bother the present. And, it permitted the man to build only one city.
BECAUSE PRIJEPOLJE IS A BLEND OF HISTORY AND NATURE
In the area of Prijepolje, there are remains of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times. The city was first mentioned in the records in 1332. It was an integral part of Raška, one of the centres of the early Nemanjić Dynasty state and developed as a marketplace of the nearby Mileševa Monastery. It was finally liberated from the Ottomans in 1912 in the First Balkan War.
Today, at the confluence of the Mileševka and Lim Rivers, at a mountainous altitude, surrounded by hills and forests, it tells its turbulent history, exuding a diverse heritage. One of the recognisable symbols of the city is the Clock Tower, which dates from the end of the 16th century. Among the oldest buildings is the Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, built in 1572 by the son of the Herzegovinian soubashi. It was demolished several times, and almost completely destroyed during the Hungarian-Ottoman War. It was renovated and significantly upgraded around 1880. The Mahmut Bey Mosque from the end of the 19th century is also important. It is in the city centre, next to the Museum in Prijepolje, an oriental building with a permanent exhibition dedicated to its most famous resident, basketball player Vlade Divac. At the end of the 19th century, the church of St. Basil of Ostrog was built upon a somewhat older building. It is painted in the Byzantine style and has an unusual bell tower. Around the same time, a Catholic church rose on a rock on the bank of the Lim River.
Prijepolje also erected several monuments to the fallen freedom fighters, including the most famous bomber Boško Buha, who died during the fighting in the Second World War. A three-meter-high monument to Saint Sava adorns the park on the promenade next to the Lim River. An even larger green area for leisure, sports activities, and rest is arranged on the bank of the Mileševka River.
The city is best embraced from the viewpoint of Sokolica, which is also a place for rest and seclusion.
In the vicinity, there are tombstones in Hrta, dating back to the Middle Ages decorated with various carved and relief motifs, which are under the protection of UNESCO.
BECAUSE THE WATERFALLS IN SOPOTNICA ARE A GODSEND
From the waterless Pešter, the people moved to the village of Sopotnica, on the western slopes of Jadovnik mountain. However, as the nearby spring dried up soon after, the disappointed newcomers planned to continue further in search of water. But the night before they left, a voice came to them at the foot of Jadovnik, asking if they wanted it to give them water or happiness. And the people, ever wise, chose water. And so, it flows all over the place, the tradition says.
Water swoops over the vertical high wall. Billowing. Pushing its way through the dense forest, it murmurs over the stones, caressing its moss and branching into countless tiny islands that disappear into the surrounding groves. The Sopotnica is stomping. Its water cold and clear. Inexhaustible. The beauty of nature’s vitality, birth, and generosity.
Along its entire course, from the source at about 1100 meters altitude to the confluence with the Lim at almost 500 meters of altitude, the Sopotnica roars through numerous folds with waterfalls and cascades. It is a natural treasure. From the excursion site, insufficiently organised, there are two circular trails for lovers of hiking and exploring the wilderness. And it can be reached by road, which is quite narrow in some parts, so you should be careful. But the works are in progress, so the journey will be more comfortable in the foreseeable future, and hopefully the necessary signposts will be set up.
BECAUSE THE MILEŠEVKA CANYON IS A PIECE OF HISTORY IN THE WILD
It is tucked between the slopes of Zlatar and Jadovnik, making its 24-kilometre-long path. The Mileševka reaches a depth of up to 1200 meters, and in some places, it seems that it can be skipped, being only four meters wide. Its rather inaccessible and harsh, but picturesque gorge is a habitat for many plant species (about 317 of them), including Pančić spruce. The mighty ruler of the sky, the griffon vulture, also found its refuge here. In this uninhibited nature, important historical and religious monuments can also be found.
On its steep, inaccessible cliff, there are defiant remains of the town of Mileševac. It is assumed that it was erected at the same time as the nearby monastery of the same name, precisely as a guardian of the Nemanjić Family endowment. During Ottoman rule, it was called Hisarjik, after the Turkish word hisar (fortress). The name was retained by the village, where there is a mosque, famous for its 400-year-old Qur’an, written in exceptional style. The rocks also hide monastic hermitages, the most famous of which is the one of St. Sava, in the vicinity of which there is a source of Sava water, which has healing properties, especially for the visually impaired.
The undisputed gem of the canyon is the Mileševa Monastery, an endowment of King Vladislav, the grandson of Stefan Nemanja. The church, built in 1219, has many painted angels and there is the most special one, the messenger of peace, the White Angel.
