Irig | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

National park Fruška gora

Almost the entire municipality of Irig is located on the southern slopes of Fruška gora, a mountain that is not only the oldest national park in Serbia (established in 1960), but also a testament to a completely different appearance of the Pannonian Plain in the distant past, when it was just an island in the Pannonian Sea. Its natural wealth, derived from fertile soil, numerous plant and animal species, many of which are protected (such as the European pine marten or the imperial eagle), have attracted people to establish communities, garrisons, agricultural and religious centers in its embrace since prehistoric times. Today, Fruška gora is a gem of the so-called Upper Srem, whose peak, Crveni čot, reaches a modest altitude of 539 meters, but its width is sufficient to spend the whole day driving through its dense forests, stopping and enjoying the clearings, springs, viewpoints, and rest areas along the way. The most interesting part is certainly the road that winds along the ridge of the mountain from Iriški venac to the west, all the way to the turnoff for Beočin, which is located on the Danube slope. At the turnoff for Vrdnik, the road offers a magnificent view of Donji Srem (and if the sky is clear, all the way to Avala), leading to Etno selo Vrdnička kula, where you can rest, refresh, and even stay for several days. We recommend taking the road through the national park, which requires an entrance fee of 300 dinars per car and 100 dinars per adult visitor, or 50 dinars per minor.

Fruška gora offers visitors and travelers a range of interesting activities. Available are organized picnic and barbecue areas at locations such as Čortanovačka šuma, Stražilovo, Partizanski put, Iriški venac, Hopovo, Glavica, Popovica, Zmajevac, Letenka, Hajdučki breg, Andrevlje, Testera, Ciganski logor, Ležimir, Rohalj baze, Lipovača, and others. Organized hiking tours for smaller or larger groups include natural and historical sights of Fruška gora, surrounding monasteries, bird and wildlife watching, as well as multi-day hiking tours. Mountain hiking along marked trails provided in electronic maps available for download or with the help of signs that traditionally mark hiking routes in this mountain beauty. Well-maintained cycling trails allow cyclists to travel on safe routes, following instructions and avoiding areas closed to the public or private properties.

Fruška gora monasteries

Unavoidable testimonies of the past of the Serbian people and their spirituality in Srem and Vojvodina represent groups of sacred objects on the slopes of Fruška Gora, dating back to the 15th century. Half of the sixteen monasteries on Fruška Gora are located within the municipality of Irig.

The closest monastery to Irig (about 2.5 kilometers away) is New Hopovo, a magnificent example of spiritual architecture and a symbol of the endurance of the Serbian people in Vojvodina. It is recorded that the monastery was originally built in the Moravian style in the 14th century, through the efforts of Despot Đorđe Branković, who renounced his title of Despot to become a monk named Maksim. Throughout the centuries, the monastery has been destroyed, plundered, and burned, but it has always been restored. It was also the seat of the Eparchy of Srem, and its most famous leader was Dositej Obradović.

Continuing along the winding asphalt road from New Hopovo, after 2.5 kilometers, you will reach the monastery Old Hopovo and a small church built in the Moravian style, dedicated to Saint Panteleimon. The original, even smaller and dilapidated church without a bell tower, whose founder was also Bishop Maksim, was destroyed in a major earthquake in 1751. It was then replaced by a new church with a nearby bell tower, which still stands in the same place today.

About halfway between Irig and Maradik, in the area of the village Krušedol, there is the monastery of the same name, built in the second decade of the 16th century. Like the previous two, it is a foundation of Bishop Maksim Branković and his mother Angelina, and therefore it has two churches - the Annunciation (the main monastery church) and the church dedicated to the Presentation of the Lord (the parish village church). The relics of Serbian patriarchs Arsenije III Čarnojević and Arsenije IV Šakabenta, Duke Stevan Šupljikac, and King Milan Obrenović, among others, rest in the monastery.

One of the most significant and beautiful monasteries of Fruška Gora is located in the village of Vrdnik, about 10 kilometers away from Irig. The monastery Vrdnik, also known as "Mala Ravanica," with a church dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord, stands out with its impressive iconostasis and has great historical significance. After the Great Migration, the relics of Saint Prince Lazar were transferred from Ravanica and rested for a while in the Monastery of Vrdnik (hence the name Vrdnik or "Mala Ravanica"), making it a pilgrimage site for Serbs from across the border.

The monastery Jazak, located near the village of Jazak, about 15 kilometers from Irig, is best known for the tomb where the remains of the last Nemanjić, Emperor Uroš the Weak, still rest today. The monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Velika and Mala Remeta are monasteries whose founder is attributed to King Dragutin, during whose reign Srem became part of the Serbian medieval state for the first time. The first is located about 17 kilometers away, and the second about 20 kilometers away from the municipal center, but in completely different directions. In addition to beautifully landscaped monastery courtyards, the surroundings of both monasteries are so picturesque that they represent a kind of excursion sites where people gather in good weather.

The Grgeteg Monastery is believed to have been built in the mid-15th century, and its founder is Despot Vuk Grgurević, better known as Zmaj Ognjeni Vuk in the public. Located about 9 kilometers away from Irig, it stands out with the iconostasis in the church of St. Nicholas, which was painted by the great Uroš Predić. In the immediate vicinity of the monastery, there is a kind of geological attraction - a profile of rocky layers that can explain the geological development of Fruška Gora.

TV Tower and Freedom Monument

Fruška Gora hides many testimonies of the past, from Roman times to the present day. The most striking are two monuments that rise towards the sky, both related to recent history. Iriški Venac Repeater, better known as the TV Tower, is a staggering 170 meters high and was built using reinforced concrete technique in 1975. It was immediately recognized as a significant architectural work in the brutalist style, where the building's facade is left unfinished. During the bombings in 1999, it was significantly damaged but not demolished.

In the immediate vicinity, there is the Monument of Freedom, a monumental sculpture by Sreten Stojanović erected in 1951 in honor of the fallen fighters of Vojvodina. A rare representative of Soviet influence on memorial sculpture, this interesting monument consists of a pedestal, an obelisk, and cast figures of NOB fighters.

Perko's Salas

Perko's Salas is located in the authentic rural ambience of Neradin, about 6 kilometers east of Irig. Situated on a hill, under wide walnut and other fruit trees, Perko's Salas is a kind of museum of rural life in Srem, but also a treasury of local cuisine and pastries. In the ambiance of several buildings, huts, farm buildings, kitchen, and auxiliary facilities, with greetings from the host Perko, the flavors of homemade soup, roasted chicken with potatoes and gomboci, you will surely want to stay until dusk. However, to truly enjoy the Vojvodina cuisine and Srem wines, you must announce your visit in advance.

Festivals and Events

In recent years, Irig and its surroundings have been offering more and more interesting events and festivals, among which the Pudarski dani (Pudar Days) stand out. This event, traditionally held in the second half of September, celebrates the Pudars - the guardians of vineyards and the beginning of the grape harvest season. In a three-day celebration, which begins with cultural and artistic programs and continues with various activities such as the famous outdoor cooking competition of Pudar chicken paprikash, the selection of the largest grape and pumpkin, etc., it ends with concerts by renowned entertainers of pop and folk music. Other notable events include Patlidžanijada in Neradin (early September), Bostanijada in Rivica (mid-August), Dani vina (Wine Days) in Rivica (late January), and the famous Vidovdan Assembly in Vrdnik (June 28th).

Mihiz's Birth House

Writer, literary critic, screenwriter, and public intellectual Borislav Mihajlović-Mihiz was born in Irig in 1922. His birth house has recently been renovated and transformed into a Center for Cultural Development. Information about visiting and working hours can be obtained from the Tourist Organization of Irig.

Lakes

The vicinity of Irig is rich in natural and artificial lakes, which are true oases during the summer and popular excursion destinations for the people of Srem, Novi Sad, and Belgrade.

Borkovac Lake offers opportunities for fishing and swimming, and a part of the coast is arranged with a pleasant café in the shade.

Šatrinac Lake Međeš is located a few kilometers from Irig, near the Krušedol Monastery. The lake is rich in fish and surrounded by greenery, making it very popular in summer for walking and swimming.

Dobrodol Lake is full of fish, primarily pike, perch, carp, and catfish. A true paradise for anglers.

Wineries

Famous for wine and grapes, northern Srem and Irig boast numerous wineries. Once just a stop on the way to buy quality wine, wine houses, cellars, and wineries are now destinations in themselves. The following should not be missed:

Vinarija i vinska kuća Kovačević (Kovačević Winery and Wine House) belong to the new enological wave of Serbia and are one of the most important family wineries in the country. In addition to producing their own wines from carefully nurtured grapes from vineyards spread over hundreds of hectares, the Kovačević family is responsible for the revitalization of the Irški podrum, one of the most important pre-war Serbian wineries. Kovačević Winery, located on the undulating terrain of the road from Irig to Iriški Venac, offers rich gastronomic experiences and tastings of premium wines.

Mačkov podrum (Mačak's Cellar) is a winery that has been perfecting the art of winemaking for almost two hundred years. Knowledge and skills related to vines, grapes, barrels, and table wine are passed down from generation to generation, and they gladly share their expertise with visitors, emphasizing the importance of combining heritage with modern achievements in oenology.

Serbian Reading Room in Irig

Srpska čitaonica (Serbian Reading Room) was established in the mid-19th century in Irig with the primary goal of preserving Serbian spirituality and literacy in Upper Srem. Despite facing the destruction of collections and burning of books, it has been revived through personal donations. Today, the reading room preserves the memory of its illustrious educational past by improving its collections, engaging in strong publishing activities, and awarding the Borislav Mihajlović-Mihiz Prize. The founder of the Reading Room was Archimandrite Dimitrije Krestić, the Iguman of the Krušedol Monastery.

Notable People from Irig

Borislav Mihajlović-Mihiz (1922-1997) was a Serbian writer, playwright, literary critic, screenwriter, and author. His most famous works include Autobiografija o drugima (Autobiography About Others) and Komandant Sajler (Commander Sailer).

Avksentije Lukić (1909-1942) was an Irižan who first made leather shoes and football boots for our most important football clubs, BSK and Jugoslavija. Based on his design-ergonomic principles, the Dassler brothers, founders of the Puma and Adidas brands, created their line of boots that dominated the world's football fields. Avksentije was killed at the age of 33 in a Ustasha raid in Vukovar.