Nišava District: Gorges, Fortress and Healing Waters

The Sićevo Gorge lies 14 kilometres east of Niš in the Nišava Valley. The Gradištanski Canyon in the Sićevo Gorge is home to nesting sites of rare golden eagles among its rugged cliffs. The Jelašnica Gorge encompasses a 116-hectare special nature reserve and several waterfalls, including Ripaljka Waterfall. Alongside the Sićevo Gorge, the Jelašnica Gorge is one of the few places in the Balkans with a contact zone between Serbian ramonda and Natalie's ramonda.

Suva Planina offers opportunities for hiking and mountaineering; one of its highest peaks is Trem, at 1,810 metres. Suva Planina has the Sokolov Kamen ski slope with a 772-metre-long ski lift.

Pandiralo can be reached by car via the regional road between Svrljig and Bela Palanka. A short, unpaved nature trail leads from the main road to the site near Pandiralo where the river disappears. For planning purposes, this means distinguishing between two different sections: the approach via the regional road and the short nature trail at the end.

Belmuzijada has been held every year since 2006 at the “Pastirište” Sports Centre in Svrljig. Belmuz is a traditional shepherd's dish made from full-fat homemade young cheese and cornmeal.

Timacum Maius was located between the villages of Niševac and Svrljig and is considered an important testament to the region's ancient heritage. After the Battle of Čegar, the Turks erected Ćele-kula, the Skull Tower, on the outskirts of Niš along the road to Constantinople, using the skulls of fallen Serbian soldiers. The Red Cross Camp in Niš is described as a Nazi concentration camp. The Monument to the Liberators of Niš was erected in 1937 in memory of the struggle to liberate the city.

The Niš Fortress covers 22 hectares; its stone walls are 2,100 metres long, 8 metres high and 3 metres wide. At the beginning of the First World War, the Officers' Club became the seat of Serbia's parliamentary and political life. In summer, the Niš Fortress serves as a venue for the “Nišville” and “Nisomnija” music festivals.

More than 80 luxurious buildings have been excavated at the Mediana archaeological site, revealing numerous mosaics and frescoes. Thanks to the “Sićevo” Art Colony, Niš has acquired a significant art collection currently comprising 796 exhibits. The “Sićevo” Art Colony has been held continuously every year since its revival in 1964.

In Niška Banja, healing water emerges from four main springs with temperatures ranging from 36 to 38 °C. Niška Banja has facilities for paragliding, rock climbing and motocross.

Other places at this level are Braljina, Berbatovo, Prosek, Jovanovac, Niška Banja, Donje Vlase, Niš and Čukurovac.

To the higher-level travel overview: Central Serbia.