Pčinja District between Nature and Culture

Vranje is the cultural center of Pčinja District. The city is located on Corridor 10, which connects Central Europe with Southern Europe.

The Vardenik protected area borders the Vlasina Plateau and lies southwest of Lake Vlasina. The Vardenik protected area is home to 14 strictly protected and 45 protected plant species, 96 butterfly species and more than 112 bird species.

The protected landscape area of Dolina Pčinje encompasses parts of the municipalities of Bujanovac and Trgovište. The Pčinja Valley is a habitat for around 140 bird species, 50 mammal species and more than 400 plant species. The protected Pčinja Valley includes the forest complex of Mount Kozjak.

Vražji Kamen consists of rock pillars shaped by erosion. Three formations reach a height of 50 to 60 meters. Vražji Kamen is protected by the state.

Prohor Pčinja Monastery is a monastery around 900 years old at the foot of Mount Kozjak. Prohor Pčinja Monastery is visited by tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. The Church of the Holy Mother of God stands on one of the rock pyramids of Vražji Kamen and was formerly also known as the church in Prosečnik. The medieval Church of the Holy Mother of God near Vražji Kamen is protected by the state.

Markovo Kale is the remains of a medieval fortification built on ancient foundations and features massive defensive walls as well as the remains of a cross-shaped religious building. Kale–Krševica is an archaeological site in the municipality of Bujanovac in Pčinja District. Manastir Sveti Petar Monastery is located in the Pčinja area. The churches of Sveta Bogoridica and Sveta Petka are also located in the Pčinja area.

The Dani Vranja festival, held annually in Vranje, includes an ethno-bazaar, a book salon, and the presentation and tasting of local specialties. The Zlatna Frula competition takes place in June in Vranjska Banja and traditionally brings together flute players from Pčinja and Jablanica districts. Borini Pozorišni Dani has been held in the last week of October since 1979, bringing theaters from Belgrade and other cities to Vranje.

The Borina Nedelja event has been held every year since 1967 at the Bora Stanković House and honors the life and work of the writer Bora Stanković. The White Bridge, Beli Most, in Vranje was built in 1844. On Valentine's Day, many young, engaged and married couples cross the bridge twice at Beli Most; lovers also draw water from beneath the bridge and sprinkle it on their clothes to protect their love from evil forces.

The Bora Stanković House Museum displays personal belongings of the writer and his family, photographs, theater posters, editions of his books and works by the winners of the Bora Prize.

Two branches of the European long-distance trail E7 run through the area of the city of Vranje. Besna Kobila has a ski slope and a ski lift. Kayaks and pedal boats can be rented in Biljanin Zaliv Bay on Lake Vlasina.

The area around Vranje is known for homemade wine and rakija. Samsa is a typical dish of the area around Vranje: an unfilled pastry topped with sour milk and garlic.

Further orientation is provided by Lalince, Dobrosin, Vranje, Vranjska Banja, Vladičin Han, Rudnik, Klisura, Vlasina Rid and Surdulica.

For the higher-level travel overview: Central Serbia.