Kamenica on the Lužnica: Landscape and History

• Kamenica lies on both sides of the Lužnica. Historically, Belotić on the left bank and Kamenica on the right bank divided the river into two parts of the settlement.
• A hiking route leads from Kamenica via Orlovac, Ravni sto, Nilovska Pass and Usovica, at an elevation of 1,375 metres, to Brezna.
• A livestock census from 1596 recorded 275 sheep in Kamenica, on the Lužnica, in the municipality of Užice.
• The Potpeće Cave and the medieval fortress of Užice Old Town are in the wider area.

The river divides the historic settlement pattern: Belotić lay on the left bank and Kamenica on the right bank of the Lužnica. Kamenica is described as a hilly settlement, with some level ground by the river and wooded areas. Historically, the houses stood on higher ground away from the river. The Duboko stream lies on the southern side of the village. This means there are two distinct connections with waterways: the Lužnica separates the traditional parts of the settlement, while Duboko runs along its southern side. Anyone exploring Kamenica’s landscape will encounter both the river and a smaller stream, as well as hilly, partly wooded surroundings.

The earliest families to migrate to Kamenica arrived in the second half of the 18th century. The Antonijević family is considered the earliest migrant family; it came from Kosatica in Polimlje. Pop Antonije served as a priest at Bela Crkva. Other families also came from various regions: the Đokanović family came from Piva and provided several priests and monks to Kamenica and surrounding villages. Kovačević and Polić trace their arrival to Kratovo; Kovačević first came to Kamenica as a stonemason. Vasović, also known as Koturović, came from Osat in Bosnia. The Trnavac family in Kamenica came from Trnava in the historic region of Stari Vlah.

An operations report dated 2 December 1914 assigned Kamenica to the Čemernica–Kamenica Defence Group of the Šumadija Division, 2nd Reserve. Together with the 1596 livestock census, this offers a view of the village’s different historical contexts: a numerical record of livestock and a military assignment from 1914.

Potpeće Cave is an underground visitor attraction in the Užice area. The medieval fortress of Užice Old Town, perched on a steep rock above the Đetinja, is also near Kamenica. Other historical points of interest include the National Museum of Užice, with its exhibitions, and the monumental Kadinjača Memorial Complex. This gives you several different themes to consider when planning your trip: the cave as an underground attraction, the fortress overlooking the river, and the museum and memorial complex as places with a historical focus.

The hiking route starts in Kamenica and leads via Orlovac, Ravni sto and Nilovska Pass to Usovica, at an elevation of 1,375 metres; its endpoint is Brezna. The named stops and elevation provide concrete points of reference if hiking is one of your travel interests. For a specific hike, it is worth checking the current route conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Sainovina, Gostilje, Rosići, Brdo, Drijetanj, Rožanstvo, Rakovica, Rastište.

How high is Usovica on the hiking route?

Usovica is at an elevation of 1,375 metres.

Which family is considered Kamenica’s earliest migrant family?

The Antonijević family is considered the earliest migrant family; it came from Kosatica in Polimlje.

What does the 1596 livestock census record?

It records 275 sheep in Kamenica, on the Lužnica, in the municipality of Užice.

Go to the regional travel overview: Zlatibor District.