Roman mine, despot's summer house and Sumadija volcano are waiting for tourists - Master plan for Rudnik development is ready

Boracki krs at the Knic municipality (Photo: Aleksandar Parezanović)

These days, Serbian archeologists have been excavating another lost middle age city. Former mining settlement used to be trading and political center of this part of Europe and today’s researches show that mining at the Sumadija mountain has the longest continuity at the entire Old continent – since prehistoric period.

Apart from being an important archeological locality, Rudnik has been recognized as one of the tourist destinations in Serbia. The biggest advantage of the highest “island” in the heart of Sumadija is the fact that is it only 100 kilometers far from Belgrade and that there are quality roads from all directions. The vicinity of historical places, pleasant environment, local dishes and many paths for walking, make Rudnik one of the favorite resorts in our country. It was selected to be an air spa in 1922 for its fresh air. As the Tourist Organization of Gornji Milanovac says, today guests at this mountain will be able to use sports courts, a swimming pool, ski paths and options to fulfill mountain passions: conquering the highest point in Sumadija, Cvijic’s peak, (1.132 m) or Ostrvica.

In order to define the entire region future development, the Master plan of the Rudnik mountain sustainable development 2014-2024 has been developed. The document developed by the University of Kraujevac comprises area located in Gornji Milanovac, Knic, Topola and Ljig as well as Cacak and Kragujevac. The state (former Ministry of Finance and Economy) set aside RSD 23,76 for it. The project owner was the City Tourist Organziation of Kragujevac.

Rudnik – different view of the world

eKapija is presenting the main guidelines for the Rudnik area tourist development. Authors of the Master plan were guided with the slogan "Rudnik - different view of the world ".

There is already a significant tourist infrastructure and accommodation capacities. On the other hand, researches show the mountain has bigger potential for tourist offer development.

(Photo: Marija Kambiać)

Offer development for foreigners essential

As one of the main weaknesses of the Rudnik region, insufficient offer of accommodation capacities which comply with the international standards as well as the lack of tourist products for foreigners have been defined.

Fight for Rudnik

Before the Romans came, the Rudnik region was settled by Ilyrians and then the Celts. In the middle ages, Serbian rulers and rich feudalists fought for it and in late 13th century it belonged to King Dragutin which comprised the Slovenian people in the Serbian state. It got its special importance after 1441 when the Turks conquered the Novo Brdo mine. Despot Djuradj Brankovic had at Rudnikd mint and a summer house. However, mining was not the only profit source for the citizens. Rudnik with developed health and trading was a cosmopolitan city which influenced entire Serbia.

M.S.