Tourism in Serbia - series

 Development of modern Serbian tourism started in young independent Serbia in 19th century. In those times, rulers were hiring foreign geologists to survey therminal water and build spa centers. Today, tourism is officialy recognized as a primary area of economic and social growth. Due to it's geographical position, natural beauties embodied in spas, lakes, mountains, and villages, cultural heritage and a large number of international cultural events, Serbia is constantly attracting more and more tourists. The main destinations are big cities Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Important destinations are also big spas, mountains (for hiking in summer and skiing in winter) and villages (ethno-tourism). 

Unfortunately, spas are not in good condition today. Many of them are really old with bad infrastructure. Some of them are suitable only for medical treatments (recover) with thermnial water, and they are visited only by domestic tourists - patients, but they also need to get modernised. The most popular spas are Vrnjačka Spa and Sokobanja (Soko Spa) with renewed infrastructure, new hotels and activities for young people, provided by private capital. Unfortunately, the state doesn't have money to renew all of them, so some of them were sold to private persons. That was the way to renovate some spas, but some of them became real wellness centers that are not affordable to many domestic tourists.

In 2018, Serbian Post started issues titled as "Tourism in Serbia". In a few years there was one stamp per year on this theme. We hope Serbian Post will continue promoting important touristic spots through stamps.

Zlatibor (125 years of organized tourism) (2018)

Zlatibor tourist center is located on and named after Zlatibor mountain in south-west Serbia. The tourist center is part of Čajetina muncipality. Tourist activity was established here in 1893 by King Aleksandar Obrenović who allowed fountain to be built. The spring for that fountain was renamed as "King's Drinking" and it is still active. Today Zlatibor is one of the most important touristic centers in Serbia with many new hotels and touristic facilities such as Stopića cave, Gostilje waterfall, Sirogojno village open air museum, "Shargan Eight" railway tour, ski center Tornik, "Dino park" adventure park. In 2021 was opened Gold Gondola, the longest (9 km) panoramic lift in the world. Unfortunately, developed tourism has attracted many investitors, so the tourist center is being built unplanned. It became real urban environment, instead of being an oasis in nature. Real estate prices are even higher than in many parts of Belgrade.

The stamp is contained of two pictures. The small picture depicts view on pedestian zone in Zlatibor tourist center. The big picture depicts the Open air museum Old village Sirogojno.

Sokobanja (2019)

Sokobanja is spa in Sokobanja muncipality in eastern Serbia. It is located in basin, surrounded by mountains (Rtanj and Ozren are the most important ones), with Moravica river and lakes Bovansko and Vrmdžansko nearby. Prince Miloš Obrenović ordered the construction of a hospital here in 1837. It was just a start of tourism in Sokobanja. Now it is modern spa and of the most visited tourist centers in Serbia. It is famous for extraordianry climate, modern hotels and wellness, historical villas, Byzantine archeological sites, medieval town Sokograd. Surrounding area is suitable for swimming in lakes and mountain climbing. In modern culture, Sokobanja is recognizable for rhyme writen by Serbian satirist Branislav Nušić: "Sokobanja, Soko-grad, dođeš mator, odeš mlad", which means "Sokobanja, Sokograd, you come old, you leave young".

The stamp is contained of two pictures. The bigger one depicts the medieval town of Sokograd (Sokolac) and the smaller depicts the Turkish bath Amam.

             

Golubac Fortress (2020)

Golubac is medieval fortress on the south side of Danube, located in north-east Serbia, Golubac muncipality. Like a gate, Golubac marks the entrance to the Đerdap national park. The name of the fortress came after word golub, meaning pigeon or dove. It is uncertain who built it and when, but it was an important in medieval Serbia. It has had defensive important defensive fucntion. It consists of three compunds and nine towers and palace. In period 2014-2019 the fortress was reconstructed. Today inside the fortress are located visitors center, archeological park, exibitions, souvenir shop, caffe, and there is also a pier for ships.

Gamzigrad - Felix Roumilana (2021)

This is one of the most important archological sites in Serbia. It is the imperial palace of the Roman emperor Gaius Valerius Maximianus Galerius (305-311, period of Tetrachy). It was built in 3/4 century near today's village Gamzigrad and city of Zaječar in eastern Serbia. Galerius named the palace Felix Romuliana after his mother Romuliana. On the site were found well preserved palaces and temples, with mosaics, sculptures and other artifacts. The palace is protected as UNESCO world heritage site (WHS) since 2007. The stamp depicts part of the site.

       

650 years of Stari Grad (Old town) Užice Fortress (2023)

Užice is city in western Serbia. Near city, on a rocky hill near river Djetinja, is located fortress called Stari Grad, which means Old Town. The fortress was built in 14th century. It is conducted of a few connected walls and towers. It was Serbian medieval fortress. In 15th century it was conquered by the Ottomans, until XIX century when it was abandoned. The fortress has been protected since 1983. In last years the upper town was reconstructed. There is a plan to reconstruct middle town and down town, as well as the bridge.