Eastern Serbia

This is one of the least explored parts of Serbia which is a great pity considering its natural beauty and interesting traditions. The landscape is dominated by a picturesque mountain range that is actually the southern tip of the Carpathian Mountains. On its west side lie the flatlands around the river Morava that finish in the great fertile plain of Stig, with Požarevac, the biggest town of the region, at its centre. West of the mountains is the Timok valley, which, due to its specific mild climate is filled with vineyards. There are many scenic views of nature to be found here. The main attraction is, of course, the Danube with the famous Iron Gates gorge (serb. Djerdapska klisura) that forms the north border of the region. The river, the second largest in Europe, is constricted between the Carpathians forcing its way through several narrow passes. The hillsides that rise above it are home to an abundance of wildlife. For this reason it is protected as a National Park.

On the bank of the mighty Danube near Donji Milanovac is Lepenski Vir, an archeological site with cultural remains dating back 9000 years. Next to it, one can find the Tabula Traiana, one of many testimonies of the Roman presence in the area. Gamzigrad, the ancient Romuliana Felix which is situated to the south, is an example of a late Roman locality. The Golubac castle, at the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge and Sokograd, above the famed spa-town of Sokobanja, remain as testimony to the skillful builders of the Middle Ages.

In the central mountain range most people are the descendants of the Romance-speaking Vlah population, who were settled in this secluded area in the 18th century by the Habsburg authorities. Apart from the language that is still used in some families, Vlahs are known for their interesting traditional white dress and large woolen hats. Music found here has a fast rhythm and is played tirelessly by local bands. Most interesting of all are the customs and traditions of the area, many of which come from primeval times – the region is known for its soothsaying and other kinds of peasant magic that is still practiced to this day.

This region has one of the largest émigré populations in the country due to the freer border access to the West in the 1960’s during Socialist times. In many villages one can see the unnecessarily large houses embellished with peculiar decoration, built as a testament of the moneyed status of their owners living abroad.

The Timok valley is an area famous for its wine where once upon a time people drank more wine than water. Several villages like Rajac or Štubik have preserved their pivnice, wine cellars grouped in streets amidst the vineyards - a perfect setting to savor the excellent home made wines. Nearby lies the pleasant town of Negotin, that takes pride in Hajduk-Veljko its hero from the First Serbian rebellion. A bit further to the south is Zaječar, the cultural and economic centre of the Timok valley.