We are located on top of the hill called Djurdjevo brdo (Djurdjevo hill), in the town of Jagodina, central Serbia, 136 kilometres south of the state capital Belgrade. The camp site is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and meadows with a panoramic view of the town. The town itself is accessible by local roads, or alternatively by regularly maintained walking trail (foot path). The town centre is within walking distance.

Near the camp is a restaurant of local cuisine. More restaurants and cafes located in the tourist zone, 800m from the campsite.

International highway E75 is passing close to town. International railway is passing through town with a train station conveniently located near the town centre.

Camping Card International (CCI) is accepted in camp Ruza Vetrova.

Accommodation

Camper rest area “Ruza vetrova” is open to and welcomes guests with their own camp equipment, camper, caravan or tents. It is categorized as a small camp, with capacity of fifteen (15) plots.

Camp is open for guests from 16. April to 01. November. You can also visit us during winter. Please contact us for more information.

Facilities and amenities

It is fully supplied with water, sewerage and electrical installations. We have a clean sanitary block with toilets and showers. Also, there is waste water discharge sink.

More

Wireless internet (Wi-Fi) is available to all guests.

Attractions

Museums

Regional Museum, 82 Kneginje Milice street

In 2014, Regional museum celebrated 60 years of work. During the years, it has become a centre of heritage and cultural research in the Serbian region of Pomoravlje. It is organized in five departments: Natural History, Archaeology, Ethnology, History and Art History.

The most valuable exhibits are Neolithic objects, glass and numismatics collection, and painter’s legacy from the 19th and 20th century.

Museum of Naive and Marginal Art, 10th Boška Đuričića street

This is the first museum of its kind in Serbia. It is a unique collection of sculptures, paintings and drawings that hosts the works of more than 300 artists, thus making it one of the most prominent collections of naïve and marginal art in the world. Museum exhibits are frequently displayed both abroad and domestically. www.naiveart.rs

Archaeological sites

On the territory of present-day municipality of Jagodina is a vast number of archaeological sites. At the foot of the Djurdjevo hill are foundings of large numbers of fossilized remains of animals. Also, there is vast number of prehistoric settlements, and settlements from the Bronze and Iron Age, to Roman settlements that were located along the route known as the Via Militaris (or Via Diagonalis that started from Singidunum, preset day Belgrade reaching Constantinople, present day Istanbul). The largest part of valuable archaeological excavations is on display at the Regional Museum.

Monasteries and Churches: Josanica Monastery, Manasija Monastery, Ravanica Monastery, new and old town church

Places you cannot afford missing while staying in Serbia are monasteries. They are the best witnesses of Serbian medieval history and beacons of spiritual life. Buildings of Morava Architectural School state as examples and models of architecture medieval culture.

Josanica Monastery

Josanica Monastery is situated some 9 kilometres west of Jagodina. It is believed to have been established by the Serbian ruler duke Lazar. Besides this legend, the oldest historical evidence in connection to Josanica originate from the 15th century. In terms of space, Josanica is one of the smaller Serbian monasteries. It is centred around the church dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Fresco painting, although much damaged throughout the centuries, still is of great artistic and historical value. Despite its seemingly humble appearance, the monastery of Josanica and its brotherhood took part in some of the most important historical events of this region.

Manasija Monastery

Manasija Monastery dates back to 15th century. It is an endowment of despot Stefan Lazarevic, and very likely to be the most important ecclesiastical monument of this period. The monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It is situated 30 kilometres from Jagodina, near Despotovac. Since it was built in turbulent times, the monastery is surrounded by massive fortifications still surviving to this day. Monastery was home to an important manuscript translation and duplication activity called the Resava school.

Ravanica Monastery

Ravanica Monastery , another 14th century endowment of duke Lazar, is situated near the village of Senje, Cuprija, some 20 kilometres from Jagodina. The monastery church is dedicated to the Ascension of Our Lord. It is a prime example of architectural characteristics of the Morava architecture school, such as the cross-in-square layout, five domes, and alternate layers of stone and adobe. Ravanica is home to incorruptible relics of duke Lazar, finally laid to rest in 1989, after centuries of relocation.

Sports and Recreation

If you like sports and outdoor activities, we are sure you will enjoy the nearby sports facilities

Aqua park

Aqua park , stretches across 3.5 hectares, packed with pools for children and adults, is specially proud of 600m of toboggan water slide. U okviru svog kompleksa sadrži i terene za mali fudbal, košarku, odbojku, igralište za decu i sve prateće objekte za celodnevni boravak. Neretko se priređuju manifestacije zabavnog karaktera.

Visitors can also enjoy playing in fields and courts for minifootball, basketball, volleyball and children's playground. Various restaurants and cafes will make your all-day visit complite. Skate park and tennis court are in close proximity. A rich calendar of entertainment events is a worthy addition during the tourist season.

Skate park and tennis court are in close proximity, as well as carting track.

Tracking and walking

If you are into biking or walking, you may want to explore the Potok park and its several kilometres of trails (foot paths). For ambitious ones, there are always marked trails on Juhor and Crni Vrh, mountains near Jagodina. Even professionals will find challenge in biking to the top.

Blog

Lazy hours

25. 6. 2015.

Serbian culture is rich in hospitality. Bora Stankovic, famous Serbian writer, many times described in his work how we save the best of household for our guests. In his novel Fade Rose (Uvela ruža), main character, Kosta, tells us his childhood memories: they drink chicory, but when guests arrive, his grandmother always finds coffee in some hidden place. This custom is still among all of us.

Maybe you’ve guess this topic; restaurants, and some more interesting stuff.

It’s convenient to start with nearest one, one that our guest already find charming – Etno kuca Konak. Like our camp Ruza Vetrova, it is situated on the top of the hill Djurdjevo brdo, overlooking our town. Ambient suites name – “ethnic house”. Wood and stone, two traditional materials in many cultures, are building dining area. Center, like in houses in Serbian heritage, is stone hearth. Don’t be surprised if there is a flame and pitcher on it. And, don’t be surprised if smell is so fine your stomach is suddenly empty. This is it! Must try on menu: wedding cabbage (svadbarski kupus), stewed sauerkraut (podvarak), stuffed peppers (punjena paprika), porridge beans (čorbasti pasulj), lamb under woad (jagnjetina i jaretina ispod sača). If visiting in sommertime, than, you’ll probablly choose terase. Separate areas souranded by greenery are forming wanderful garden. Evrything will remined on grandmother village house.

Next door, something different. Contemperary glass building of 360° Restaurant. As you can conclude, symbolisam is all around. In this elegant place viewes are surrounding . Simplicity of white lines, details in full colors characterise minimalistic interior. Food is the same. Filled plates will look on your table like they are ment to be right on that spot. Carfully chosen ingredians are mix in design form for each customer. Almost forgeting the most important thing to say: they are serving, beside Serbian kichen, Italian and Mediterranean. Bon appetit!

Care for a walk? Make stop in Cocetova Street (Čočetova ulica), for classy, by all meanings, restaurant R Club. Filling? Home like. Voguish furnishing and cozy. Designed details are on every glance. Their chef is preparing anything you can imagine. Small bites, luxury meals, you name it. Attention on little, but important things, mindful arrangements of greens and dressing are things to remember about Club R.

Lets switch on something completely opposite; small place known as Ratko Sodadzija. Mister Ratko, or uncle Ratko, called by many generations, owns shop of soda drinks made from same recipes for more than seventy years. His drinks gather parents and children in authentic space. Walls are covered in white ceramic tails, and floor in black and yellow. Green tables and chairs will sit you to look through glass window. If you watched our movie, Barking on Stars (Lajanje na zvezde), its ambient of sweet and ice cream shop that you should imagine. That scene when guys are competing in sampita eating. I almost forgot about this place, but fortunately, resent photo of my friends on fb, reminded me of treasures spot in our town.

Similar by tradition is Pelivan, ice cream and cake shop. Forget all ice creams that you’ve been eaten by now. This small pleasure of frozen fruits, chocolate and their mixture will fulfill hot summer afternoon. Or take cold lemonade with straw and krempita, sampita, or baklava. Or, take all of these sweet goodies from hands of nice ladies in white uniforms.

Pizza? Don’t skip this. Padrino is offering special taste of this Italian specialty in Serbian way. Vegetable, meat and all kind of cheese are used for our version. Italian garden is small interpretation of set design from Stealing beauty. You remember splendor climber trees, stone pavement and romantic atmosphere filled with good vine taste. For and, tasting reminder of our brands:

-Rakija, distilled alcohol drink. It is made from all kind of fruits, but most popular are sljivovica, made of plums; loza, made of grapes, viljamovka, made from old Serbian pear.

-Jagodinsko pivo, beer made in local brewery, is maybe the most popular brand of our town in last century.

-Also, try some local vines.

More about them next time.

Line up (Josanica monastery)

24. 5. 2015.

For a while now, sun and clear sky are going on our hand, here in Jagodina. As spring is a perfect time for any kind of adventure, my suggestion would be local monastery Josanica. It is not far from town, just right destination for warming. Eleven kilometers far from our camp Ruza Vetrova and only nine from town center. It is easy to find if you follow local roads and signs.

Now, when distance is set, topography should be analyzed. Expect constant slight rise of ground, all manageable with small effort. Next step is choosing traveling weapon: car, motorcycle, or even your own walking feet. In this case, any pick is good enough.

Are you ready? Check your water supply, sunglasses, and comfortable footwear. Just in case, set GPS for 4870,20 – 7511,81. From town center hit west. After river Belica, take right, and soon Russian Graveyard is on your right. Make this stop and take a walk in park dedicated to Russian soldiers killed in October and November in 1944 during World War II for liberation of our town. Monument and ossuary is built after the War and is one of the kind in Central Serbia.

After this unnecessary, but pleasant rest and enjoyable walk, it is time to move on. To get to Monastery, you will be passing through local villages: Vinoraca, Deonica, Siokovac. Nice gardens, colorful orchards in full bloom and wheat fields will toggle in your sight. People are kind, so don’t hesitate to buy local goods: eggs, cheese or vegetables. In no time, while looking in curly horizon on left side of the road in front will show gate and small church. Now, get serious, and learn some history and heritage facts: Josanica is medieval monastery. It is founded in early years of fourth decade of 15th century. There are no written documents, but archaeological research and found objects are strong proof for this beliefe. Legend says, Duke Lazar Hrebljanovic built church for accidental kill of monk. It is still well known that before Monastery was built, monks or anchoret, how they were called, lived in local caves. In the seventies in 20th century, quarry was built and all caves and life that used to be in them were destroyed. Testimony to these people, who were called saints even in life, is fresco portrait of St Jovan the Gracious.

Through the years and centuries, hard time through wars and complicated history events, monastery was several times abandoned and destroyed. First known renewal, was before 1786th. From this year is first written document about Josanica. It is trustee epigraph about revival. Unfortunately, it is lost or destroyed, but its content is saved in correspondence between Joakim Vujic and Josif Veselic, both Serbian writers.

Later, during liberation from Ottomans, church was twice burned and both times restored. Cause was constant presence of brigands. Monastery sheltered both Captain Koca and Karadjordje, the great Serbian freedom fighters. In First and Second World War, there was hospital and orphanage for all who needed help.

Late 1960th and early 1970th were the years of reconstruction and conservation. Church was given its original shape and outward appearance. By looking at this small monastery church, one can find main characteristics of Morava Architectural School and great influence of Byzantine architecture. It is nave building with cross-in-square layout. Domes above narthex and nave are hold by vaults, crossed in both directions. After narthex and nave, altar is finished by apse seen in exterior. Lateral walls are decorated with three blind arcades. All elements are forming harmony for viewer eyes.

We’ll leave you here, with certain thoughts that you are on right place.

Cycling

April 9, 2015.

Riding a bike. Biking. Pedaling. Bike cruising. Cycling. Sound familiar? Maybe you haven't heard these words for a long time, maybe even since high school. Probably haven't sit on it for a decade, and never call it she. Here in Serbia, it use to be a common thing; riding a bicycle. My grandfather did it every day for more than 50 years. Some times to run an errand, but most of the time to put him self in middle of village activities. And then, car took them all. Never the less, our favorite machine, The Bicycle, is back, and becoming great ally in traveling and recreation.

Officially, for now, in Serbia is only one biking route. Danube route, or "Euro Velo 6", as called by European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) , along with Danube is crossing Serbia. This organization has plans for two more projects that include our country: route called Iron Gate and East Balkan rout. Partner of ECF in Serbia is Ciklonaut, great web spot for all bike-lovers. It is written in Serbian, so, use google translate. Don't miss post by Roberto Gallegos, describing his and his girlfriend's adventures and tips through this region.

Until pedal twiddling through Serbia and Pomoravlje becomes formally recommended by European association , here, you will be able to find places to visit and things to see if you get yourself on way to Jagodina. If you already get around here, you probably know where we are: close to international high way E-75 and railway to Thessaloniki. Farther more, just outside of town center, and on the top of the hill, camp site “Ruza Vetrova” is waiting for you. When made a glance on landscape from this viewpoint, that is going to be the perfect moment to open a map, or start one of apps on smart phone. Depending on interests, first decision is to choose between sight seen and nature enjoyment. To take it in one blow, monastery Josanica is first on check list. Even those less persistent won't resist to this task.