Home to one of the most significant monuments of medieval Serbian culture, Despotovac is a small town in the heart of the country. It takes its name from the title of Despot Stefan Lazarević, a prince and ruler who was considered one of the finest military leaders of the 15th century.
Things to do in Despotovac
A short drive from the centre of Despotovac is the Manasija Monastery, which was founded by Stefan the Tall in the early 15th century. It is one of Serbia’s most important religious monuments and was once a cultural hub for the Serbian Despotate. Marvel at the 11 towers that were built to defend the monastery and step inside the Church of the Holy Trinity to see its beautifully preserved frescoes.
Some of Serbia’s most famous churches and monasteries are recreated in miniature at Park Maketa. This family-friendly attraction features 1:17 scale models of the Manasija Monastery and the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, the Mileseva Monastery near Prijepolje and the Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo. After admiring the miniature creations, there is an on-site cafe where you can refresh.
One of the area’s most impressive natural wonders is the Resava Cave, which contains speleothems dating back 45 million years. It was accidentally discovered by shepherds in 1962 and was opened to visitors 10 years later. In addition to housing 28 different species of bats, the Resava Cave features hanging bridges, cables and zip-lines as part of its Adrenalin Park.
Getting around Despotovac
Despotovac is a 1.5-hour drive from Belgrade and just under two hours from Nikola Tesla Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Trains connect from towns and cities across Serbia to the Despotovac railway station and buses travel throughout the town.