Tips for SERBIA
CAUTION:
From the area of Bogutovac (position mapy.cz/s/humaromoku) there is a lot of traffic on weekdays, especially trucks, up to Usce (about 30 km)! Unfortunately, there is currently no other option in the Ibar river valley than to walk along the road. WALK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BE CAREFUL!
MONASTERIES
Feedback from a pilgrim on the Jerusalem Way in Serbia on the subject of overnight stays in monasteries (June 2022): It is definitely worth visiting the ORTHODOX monasteries of Zica, Studenica and Gradac in southern Serbia on the Jerusalem Way to visit. The so-called "Serbian Monastery Road" has special monasteries on the way to Jerusalem, some of which are UNESCO! Staying overnight in the Studenica monastery is no problem. There is a visitor center with overnight accommodation directly in front of the monastery building. If there are no rooms available, ask about shared rooms and there is also private accommodation nearby (see POI in the Mapy app).
Pilgrims have also been turned away from the largest women's monastery in Serbia, Zica Monastery. It is therefore advisable to announce your arrival (phone/WhatsApp +381 65 8022911 with Sister Nektaria). She speaks good English, but only women are allowed to stay there... The beautiful Byzantine chants are daily from 05:00 to 07:30 in the morning and 17:00 to 18:00 in the evening.
Tourism is a significant source of income for the monasteries. Accommodation and meals are usually free, but donations are accepted and should be given! There are only a few nuns living in Gradac, currently there are 5, and there is no separate visitor wing. They have had some bad experiences with overnight guests and are accordingly cautious. But with luck you can sleep there. It is helpful to announce your arrival in advance. Contact: [email protected] / +381648003884
Optionally you can stay in the apartment Gradacka Banja brvnare sleep (details are saved as POI in Mapy), it is accessible via stairs directly below the monastery. The apartment costs over 30 euros, so it's not cheap but it's a special place, with water facilities and you can eat fresh trout and drink berry juice. According to www.booking.com/hotel/rs/apartment-gradacka-banja.de.html the facility was full, but that wasn't true, I was the only guest staying there. So trust it instead of making a reservation!
Important: Contact us before you reach KOSOVO, we also have further information & tips there that are not stored in Mapy!
Peace & Ultreia
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