Summary
Situated on the western border of Kosovo, Novi Pazar may astonish those with preconceived notions about Serbian cities. The presence of a minaret in the center reflects the fact that approximately 80% of the city’s population is Muslim, rendering it somewhat reminiscent of a mini-Istanbul due to its Oriental ambiance. The city’s history began in the 1400s when the Ottoman bey, Isa-Beg Ishaković, established his presence by the Raška River, concurrently constructing a fort, mosque, market, and baths.
Located just a few kilometers away is Stari Ras, a site of profound significance in Serbian history and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site features a monastery, an early medieval church, and the remnants of a fortress that once served as the capital of Serbia.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Novi Pazar:
1. Stari Ras
Commence your exploration at this World Heritage Site fortress, where the Raška and Sebečevo rivers converge. The ruins, dating back to the 700s, are a testament to the Serbian state of Raška.
These remnants command a majestic presence within a mountainous landscape.
Visitors must park their vehicles and proceed along a trail leading to Gradina, where the walls faintly echo the former capital of Serbia, which was abandoned in the 1200s.
2. Sopoćani Monastery
This monastery, also part of the UNESCO site, was established in the mid-13th century near the Raška River’s source.
Founded by King Stefan Uroš I, one of Serbia’s most revered rulers, the church houses his remains.
Visitors marvel at the frescoes, which date back to Uroš’s lifetime.
These artworks, created in the 13th century, exemplify the exceptional quality of Byzantine art during this period.
The most notable piece is the Dormition of the Mother of God from 1265, which resembles classical art rather than that of the medieval era.
3. Đurđevi Stupovi
This 12th-century monastery, commissioned by Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, exemplifies the fusion of Western and Eastern traditions.
The centerpiece, St. George’s Church, showcases a blend of Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles.
This architectural style became known as the Raška School and dominated the region for the subsequent 150 years.
It exhibits the naos, narthex, and triple apse characteristic of Orthodox churches, while also displaying a distinct Romanesque feel with its flat walls and semi-circular arches.
Two layers of frescoes, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, draw inspiration from classical art and have been praised by UNESCO as some of the finest in the Balkans.
4. Church of the Holy Apostles St Peter and Paul
The final monument within the World Heritage Site, this church, rooted in Byzantine heritage, stands on a hillside among historic gravestones.
The initial structure at this location was a baptistery built in the 500s, later replaced in the 10th century by the current church.
This site represents the oldest surviving church in the entire Balkan region.
The frescoes are particularly significant, illustrating the evolution of religious art from the 900s to the 1300s.
5. Altun-Alem Mosque
The name translates to “mosque with the golden finial,” and is Novi Pazar’s largest mosque, constructed in the early 16th century.
Enclosed within high brick walls, the mosque features a maktab (school) and a courtyard adorned with approximately 30 nişani (tombstones), many of which are inscribed.
The mosque’s architectural design includes a minaret and a large dome accompanied by two smaller domes, complemented by an impressive arched porch, which is a rarity in regional mosques.
The mahfil (gallery) boasts exquisite wooden carvings, and the mihrab’s frame displays exceptional craftsmanship in its moldings.
6. Isabegov Hamam (Novopazarski Stari hamam)
This Turkish bathhouse, a substantial Serbian cultural site, was established by Isa-Beg Ishaković during the late 15th century.
Designed as an urban hamam, it features a symmetrical layout with separate male and female sections divided by a central wall.
Each room is crowned with a dome, punctuated by hexagonal openings, with a total of 11 domes present.
The baths were supplied by elegant marble fountains, along with a grand shardivan (fountain for ablutions) located on the north side of the building.
7. Fortress of Novi Pazar
Adjacent to the city’s baths, this fortress was also constructed by Isa-Beg Ishaković.
Despite its location in a city that has endured numerous conflicts, little remains of the fort today; however, remnants can be discovered among the greenery of Novi Pazar’s City Park. The current structure is the result of extensive reconstruction following the Ottoman Empire’s loss in the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Visitors can observe portions of the ramparts, a five-sided bastion, and the only surviving tower amidst scattered ruins.
8. Amir-Agin Han
As a hub of intersecting trade routes, Novi Pazar once boasted six khans, or inns, serving merchants along their journeys between Istanbul and Dubrovnik.
Amir-Agin Han is the most well-preserved of the two remaining inns, dating back to the mid-17th century.
This striking cantilevered structure is characterized by its extended eaves, a distinct feature of Ottoman architecture.
It represents the last vestige of the city’s bazaar, which was located along the River Raška.
The Inn occupied a prime market corner and featured two levels with accommodations for travelers, as well as provisions for livestock, including cattle, horses, and even camels.
9. Stara Čaršija
Previously the site of the bazaar, this area now comprises a network of narrow pedestrian streets bordered by the river and Granata Han.
This quarter showcases Novi Pazar’s Oriental essence, as it encompasses the mosque, the two khans, and the hamam.
The district is characterized by small, single-storey homes with terracotta roofs, deep eaves, and large shop windows.
These establishments feature restaurants, traditional bakeries, and jewelry outlets.
10. Muzej Ras
In a city where Eastern and Western influences coexist, this museum boasts a wealth of intriguing exhibits.
Housed in a stunning Ottoman mansion, the museum’s collection begins with artifacts from the Neolithic period, including stone tools and pottery, and progresses through the Bronze and Iron Ages, represented by jewelry, hair accessories, and fine pottery.
Many of the treasures from the historical city of Ras are now in Belgrade; however, here, visitors can view seals, pottery, brooches, and crucifixes.
The Ottoman section features an array of weaponry, ornate wax seals, coin hoards, medals, smoking pipes, exquisite jewelry, and more.
The ethnographic section illustrates the cultural exchange between East and West, displaying traditional clothing and everyday objects from the 19th century, such as coffee grinders, dervish-liturgical items, and lanterns.
11. Novopazarska Banja
Located just a short distance from Novi Pazar’s center, this spa resort is renowned for its hot springs, which attracted the citizens of Ras during the medieval period.
Later, the Ottomans constructed two hammams and a caravanserai. Despite interruptions due to wars, the resort has continued to thrive.
Visitors frequent this location to bathe in and drink from the chemically-sulfuric waters, which range in temperature from 15 to 55°C. Additionally, the natural surroundings provide ample reason for a visit, as the volcanic Rogozna massif rises dramatically behind the area, reaching heights of nearly 1,500 meters.
During summer, locals often drive in for scenic walks and picnics.
12. Crna Reka Monastery
This remarkable monastery, located in the village of Ribariće, has historical ties to Sopoćani.
In the 16th century, monks from Sopoćani sought refuge in this secluded valley within the Ibarski Kolašin gorges.
The monastery’s origins trace back to the 1200s, featuring an unforgettable cave church accessible via a covered wooden bridge spanning a ravine.
The cliffside walls, excavated and adorned with frescoes from the 1500s, remain in excellent condition, particularly since the monastery was unoccupied until 1979. Today, a small community of 13 monks resides here.
13. Uvac Special Nature Reserve
For an extraordinary day trip, head north to the Uvac River.
In this mountainous paradise, the river’s meandering paths have carved gorges, caves, and promontories from the limestone terrain.
The nature reserve harbors one of the nation’s most extensive cave systems, with approximately six kilometers explored, while wild boars, wolves, and bears inhabit the nearby forests.
Additionally, the majestic griffon vulture, once extirpated in the 20th century, has been successfully reintroduced to the Uvac Gorge.
While in flight, this magnificent bird, renowned for its three-meter wingspan, is readily visible.
14. Golija
In the northern Golija mountain range, you can experience Serbia’s untamed natural beauty.
These peaks rise between the Ibar and Morava Rivers, dotted with medieval monasteries nestled in deep valleys surrounded by spruce, fir, and beech forests.
Golija is renowned for its challenging terrain, featuring unpredictable weather and steep slopes populated by wolves and bears.
While few hikers venture into this region, during the spring and summer seasons, winding mountain roads lead to valleys adorned with vibrant wildflowers and serene lakes like Nabeska Suza (Heaven’s Tear).
15. Mantije
The city’s most coveted delicacy is mantije, crafted using a traditional family recipe.
These are small pastry balls filled with a simple mixture of meat, onion, and seasoning, all baked together in large pans using old furnaces.
The ideal way to enjoy them is with a side of yogurt or sour milk sauce.
In terms of flavor, mantije bear resemblance to another Serbian specialty, burek.
Typically consumed at breakfast, bakeries offer mantije at all hours of the day.
