Udovice: Culture, Viticulture and Village History

Udovice is located predominantly along the upper course of the Udovice stream on the so-called Danube Ridge at an elevation of 191 metres. The village lies on the banks of the Udovice stream; the Zmajevac spring is also located here. Orchards and vineyards cover 88 percent of the 1,119-hectare area. These figures illustrate the agricultural character of the village and its long, rich tradition of fruit growing and viticulture.

Its location along the stream and on the Danube Ridge gives Udovice a clear geographical setting. The village includes the inhabited settlement of Jugovo, which is also known as Golden Hill (Mons aureus). Historical references to Smederevo also mention Golden Hill (Aureus Mons) as a Roman settlement in the area around the city, near the point where the Udovički Potok flows into the Danube.

Local tradition also includes the story that a village called Podgorica once stood in the Udovice area. The surrounding area contains evidence of an old village and human habitation dating back to Roman times. For travellers interested in culture, this creates a local setting in which the landscape, names and older traces of settlement are closely connected with history.

A bronze appliqué found in the present-day village of Udovice dates from the 1st or 2nd century. It depicts a maenad with a wreath of flowers and leaves on her head. In addition, chance finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages have been recorded in Udovice. These different periods make Udovice a destination for travellers who want to gradually explore a place's past.

The village church is also part of the present-day local landscape. It was built in 1939–1940. Its patron saint is the Great Martyr Marina; her feast is celebrated every year on 30 July. Foundation traces are visible at a site associated with the former Kokora Monastery. Traces of a cemetery can also be seen beside the former Kokora Monastery. When planning your trip, you should treat these details as different historical points of reference and not combine them into a single complex.

In Udovice, viticulture is not only an economic activity but is also connected with local customs. One custom is to cut a branch from the most productive grapevine and use it to decorate the holy icons in the home. The “hamburg” and “muskant italija” grape varieties grow in Beli breg and on the opposite Zlatno brdo.

On Trifun Day, people enter the vineyards before sunrise and pour wine over the cut grapevines and the frozen soil so that the year will be fruitful. In the vineyards of the village of Udovice, pruning the vines and drinking toasts are also part of the customs observed on the feast of Saint Tryphon. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore organise your trip around your preferred focus: viticulture and customs, village history or the landscape along the stream.

You can reach Udovice via the paved road to Belgrade. After approximately 4 kilometres, another paved road branches off via the Jablan settlement and leads to the village. The approximate distance of 4 kilometres refers directly to this turn-off and should be incorporated accordingly into your own travel plans.

For a further comparison of destinations, you can also consider Velika Plana, Smederevska Palanka, Smederevo, Krnjevo, Vodice and Markovac. This allows you to compare Udovice with other travel destinations without losing sight of the local viticulture and historical themes.

Where is Udovice located?

Udovice is located predominantly along the upper course of the Udovice stream on the Danube Ridge at an elevation of 191 metres. The village lies on the banks of the Udovice stream and includes the inhabited settlement of Jugovo, which is also called Golden Hill (Mons aureus).

How do you reach Udovice?

The journey leads via the paved road to Belgrade. After approximately 4 kilometres, another paved road branches off via Jablan to Udovice.

What historical evidence is there in Udovice?

They include a bronze appliqué from the 1st or 2nd century, chance finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, evidence of human habitation since Roman times, as well as foundation traces and cemetery traces at the former Kokora Monastery.

What is the significance of viticulture?

Orchards and vineyards cover 88 percent of the 1,119-hectare area. The “hamburg” and “muskant italija” grape varieties grow in Beli breg and on the opposite Zlatno brdo. Viticulture is also connected with local customs.

When is the feast of the church's patron saint celebrated?

The patron saint of the village church is the Great Martyr Marina. Her feast is celebrated every year on 30 July.

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