Villages on the plateau

Bela Zemlja, Kacer, Ljubanje, Ravni, Vrana, Zbojstica, Dreznik

Above Užice, on the way to Zlatibor, some hills can be seen and plateaus on them. In the heart of those plateaus there are beautiful mountain villages suitable for village tourism.They appear in a series, one after another: from Bele Zemlja, Kačer and Ljubanje to Ravni and Vrane and finally the villages of Zbojštia and Drežnik. And in each household they offer hospitality to those who are eager to spend their holiday in the country.

Even in Bela Zemlja, which is a sunny area by the motorway leading to Zlatibor, there are a lot of houses, villas, cottages where a tourist can find accommodation. Everything is within a hand’s reach to him: the beauties of the nearby less populated area, escape from the confusion of the cities, sheepfolds and beehives, woods and clearings. And on the other hand, there are also attractive facilities in the urban areas, with the outdoor swimming pool, top-quality catering buildings and modern sports courts.

U obližnjem Kačeru, u kome se prave sjajni suvomesnati proizvodi (odavde je višestruki pobednik mačkatske ‘’Pršutijade’’), zanimljivošću ponude pleni apartmanski kompleks ‘’Lazarevi konaci’’. Skup odlično opremljenih objekata povezanih u celinu, svaki nalik malom seoskom domaćinstvu. Ko želi, obezbeđena je potpuna privatnost gostima, kome je do druženja, ‘’Lazarevi konaci’’ idealni su za zajednički odmor više porodica prijatelja ili srodnika. Ovde se nudi uživanje na oko pet hektara seoskog imanja, u ambijentu očuvane prirode. Tu je mnoštvo raznovrsnih ptica, pokoja i šumska životinja (srna, zec, veverica), a naravno i domaće životinje koje se uzgajaju u obližnjim seoskim domaćinstvima. Leti je gostu u ‘’Lazarevim konacima’’ omogućeno neposredan dodir s prirodom (sakupljanje šumskih plodova, radovi u polju ko želi) i aktivnosti poput šetnji, trčanja, planinarenja. Zimi su padine imanja pogodne za sankanje i skijanje. Gost ovde može da nauči i ponešto od starog kovačkog i stolarskog zanata u radionicama na imanju. Predviđeno je i organizovanje izleta po okolini: do Zlatibora, Mokre Gore, Tare, Zlatara, Potpećke pećine.

In the nearby Kačer, where delicious delicatessen are produced (the multiple winner of the competition “Pršutijada”- the competition in delicatessen, comes from this village), the complex of suites “Lazarevi konaci” is distinguished by the interesting things it has to offer. A group of exclusively furnished buildings joined into one whole, each resembling a small village household. Full privacy is guaranteed to those who prefer it, and for the ones who are fond of company “Lazarevi konaci” is a place ideal for the joint holiday of several families or relatives. Here enjoyment is offered on the area of about 5 hectares, in the ambience of preserved nature. There is a great diversity of birds and rare wild animals (a roe deer, rabbit, squirrel), and of course domestic animals which are raised in the nearby village households. In the summer the guests are enabled to be in direct contact with the nature (picking forest fruit, activities in the field for those who like that) and the activities such as hiking, jogging, mountaineering. In the winter the slopes of the village estates are suitable for sledging and skiing. Here a gust can learn the essentials of the blacksmith’s or carpenter’s craft in the workshops belonging to the estate. There are organized excursions to the places of interest in the vicinity such as: Zlatibor, Mokra Gora, Tara, Zlatar, Potpece cave …

The village of Ravni which is not far away, also has so much to offer. This village under the mountain of Zlatibor abounds in fragrant area and clear water streams, and kind hosts try to attract the guests buy being considerate, offering home made food and nicely furnished rooms. Here, for example, there are buildings erected in the style of the most beautiful mountain holiday houses, with flowery gardens and fertile orchards, barbecues and stone fountains, the edifices the interior of which is equipped in accordance with the standards of contemporary tourist. Some owners rent the whole house, following the principle “a key into the hands”, while the others remain at disposal to the tourists all the time, and try to please them by preparing delicious food and offering other facilities. Besides, it is real summer pleasure to swim in the crystal clear Rzav and Pristavica, taking a walk along the shady paths and through the unspoilt nature is an extraordinary experience. On the banks of the river Pristavica there are rolling machines from the old times, and in the middle of one forest, on this river, there is a fishpond with extra-quality trout which is exported directly from here. The vicinity of the tourist village of Sirogojno and everything that has been achieved there are an encouragement for the villagers of Ravni and it inspires them to develop village tourism.

In the small village of Zbojštica, which got its name because people had gathered here since the earliest times to make agreements (the gathering place), people intend to develop the ecological facilities and tourism based on the values of the fully preserved ecological region. They have healthy food and magnificent surroundings, but the guests can also participate in making of the souvenirs. One of the family workshops from this village is engaged in making traditional wooden objects in an artistic way and it is recognizable by the wooden stools, spoons, low tables, frames which are sold in numerous cities. They are developing village tourism and the guests are given a chance to make these objects themselves. They are just renovating an old house which will serve for the accommodation of tourists and they are in the process of collecting authentic objects for the domestic ethno-museum.

The village of Drežnik is located at the end of this tourist ‘transversal’, but it can be measured by its beauty with the other parts of the region. This village lies below a hill called Drežnička gradina, on the river Rzav, the cleanest river in Serbia which descends towards Arilje.It is a village of good hosts, who have hospitality inbuilt in their genes. Their places for drying meat are full of the best quality smoked ham and bacon, their cellars contain the pure plum brandy and the cheese and “kaymak” (salted cream) from Dreznik have no equals. In the houses and gardens of this village there are sufficient conditions for the accommodation of guests. Here the village tourism is just beginning to develop, the beauties of this place are about to allure the visitors in the future.

A museum has been opened in Drežnik – dedicated to the most famous citizen of this region – metropolitan Josif Cvijović, who was the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church during the most difficult period of the Second World War, being a replacement for the imprisoned patriarch. The people of Dreznik are proud of their fellow citizen who used to help his native region till the end of his life. He is especially meritorious of the building of the present church of the Ascension of the Most Holy Godmother 8 centuries ago, one of the architectural masterpieces on the whole territory, so the villages pay their homage to him by building this monumental museum, in which there are the Metropolitan’s rewards, documents and photographs, church garments and dishes.

In the vicinity of Drežnik, upstream along the Rzav, there is a famous spa Roge, and the Potpece cave and village of Zlakusa are not far away. An old road leading to Constantinople used to go through this village (the remains are to be seen in some places even nowadays), the caravans used to stop here, the horse riders with treasures used to pass by. Some of them, being chased by his companions, might have dug the treasure somewhere by the road… And thus we set off on a journey through the villages of Uzice, using the words and images. And we have managed to portray only a part of the beauties, for there is a lot more to be seen and discovered here. And to be able to experience everything, to get the complete enjoyment, the best advice is to come and check everything. So we are inviting you to come to these villages and afford yourself a special enjoyment find repose for your soul, to take a breath of the healthy nature and experience the hospitality of this region which is known far and wide.