Izvor at the foot of Vidlič

• Izvor lies at the foot of Vidlič.
• The Church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1845 and renovated in 2004.
• Protected areas have been designated around the church and the village cemetery.
• Houses and barns are examples of folk architecture.
• A walk through the upper part follows a stream whose water flows through a concrete channel.
• A spring in the upper part carries particularly abundant water in spring; a 1994 estimate put the combined flow of the springs at around 40–50 litres per second.
• The third edition of the traditional “Wine, Rakija and Traditional Dishes” exhibition was held in Izvor.

Izvor’s location at the foot of Vidlič describes its relationship to the landscape. A walk through the upper part of the settlement follows a stream whose water flows through a concrete channel. This is a specific detail of the local watercourse: the walk is defined not only by the village’s position on the mountain, but also by the course of the stream.

A spring in the upper part is also described as carrying particularly abundant water in spring. Its flow may vary seasonally. This should be distinguished from an older figure: a local publication from 1994 estimated the combined flow of Izvor’s springs at around 40 to 50 litres per second. The spring observation refers to one spring, while the estimate covers the springs as a whole. The two figures therefore refer to different scales; the 1994 figure is an estimate made at that time.

According to local tradition, the name Izvor is associated with cold springs in the highest part of the settlement, directly below a steep limestone cliff. This account of the name links water and terrain in a specific image of the place: according to the story, the springs lie high in the settlement, directly beneath the steep rock face.

The Church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1845. It was probably constructed on the foundations of an older church dating from the 15th century. The church was renovated in 2004. These dates offer two historical reference points for the same religious building: its construction in the 19th century and its possible connection to an older church.

A protected area has been designated around the church, as well as around the village cemetery. This draws attention not only to an individual building, but also to protected areas within the settlement. In addition, houses and barns in Izvor are documented as examples of folk architecture. Here, the term refers to a different kind of architectural trace than the church: alongside the religious building, everyday forms of construction are also in focus. Those interested in local history can distinguish between these two subjects without reducing them to the same architectural style or period.

The third edition of the traditional “Wine, Rakija and Traditional Dishes” exhibition was held in Izvor. The exhibition brought together the subjects named in its title: wine, rakija, and cuisine. Another historical reference concerns potters from Izvor: in spring, on the first day of the fast, they left for seasonal work and returned in autumn for Mitrovdan. Two different cultural topics therefore sit side by side: a traditional exhibition and the potters’ seasonal work.

Discover more destinations: Pirot, Dimitrovgrad, Vrandol, Zaskovci.

Where is Izvor?

Izvor lies at the foot of Mount Vidlič. In the upper part of the settlement, a walk follows a stream whose water flows through a concrete channel.

What is known about the Church of the Holy Trinity?

It was built in 1845 and renovated in 2004. It was probably constructed on the foundations of an older church dating from the 15th century.

How should the information about the springs be understood?

A spring in the upper part of Izvor carries particularly abundant water in spring. A local publication from 1994 estimated the combined flow of the springs at around 40 to 50 litres per second.

For the broader travel overview: Pirot District.