Novi Pazar | Top 10 in Cities of Serbia

Fortress of Stari Ras

Stari Ras may not belong to the category of magnificent medieval fortresses found throughout Serbia, but it is certainly a structure of priceless cultural and historical significance as it represents the "cradle" of the Serbian state. Located in an idyllic location on the Gradina hill, about 10 kilometers west of Novi Pazar, Stari Ras is a complex of remains of the medieval fortress of Ras and its associated cave monastery, church, and necropolis. As the first Serbian capital, a military fortification, and the seat of Serbian župans from the Nemanjić dynasty, the Ras fortress dates back to the 12th century and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 due to its exceptional historical and archaeological value. Together with nearby monasteries in this region (Sopoćani, Đurđevi Stupovi, Petrova Church), Stari Ras is an essential tourist destination in this part of Serbia that can be visited completely free of charge.

Old Bazaar

A visit to Novi Pazar should not pass without a walk through the so-called Old Bazaar, with its center located on Prvi Maj Street, the stretch between the two most famous city mosques. This part of the city exudes history and an oriental spirit, and it could be said that it is the trademark of Novi Pazar. The famous Turkish travel writer Evliya Çelebi once recorded that there were more than 1,000 small craft shops on this street, and even today, you can find the best Novi Pazar ćevapdžinicas (ćevapi shops), confectioneries, bakeries, goldsmiths, barbershops, and the recognizable sebilj fountain. Due to all of this, the entire architectural complex is protected as a cultural asset.

Ras Museum

Formerly known as the City, Raška, and Homeland Museum, Ras Museum has carried this name since the late 1980s and is one of the most important museum institutions in central Serbia. By combining material heritage and the tradition of a region characterized by ethnic diversity, Ras Museum has over 10,000 exhibits classified into several thematic departments (archaeology, history, ethnology, art...) and numerous collections that faithfully and interestingly present the cultural identity and tradition of the people from the Raška region, i.e., Sandžak.

City Fortress of Bedem

Novi Pazar fortress is located in the very center of Novi Pazar, on the right bank of the Raška River, and represents one of the few remaining testimonies to the founding of this city. Built in the mid-15th century by the order of Isa-beg Isaković, the founder of Novi Pazar, this fortress has withstood numerous Serbian-Turkish and other wars throughout the centuries, significantly changing its appearance compared to the original one. The most striking part and symbol of this fortress and the city of Novi Pazar in general is the so-called Motrilja Tower - an observation tower 15 meters high, dating back to the 17th century. As only a small part of the fortification has been preserved, the interior of the Novi Pazar fortress has been transformed into a city park and a popular promenade for the people of Novi Pazar.

Amir-agin han

One of the most recognizable buildings in Novi Pazar is located in the strict city center and dates back to the late 17th century. It is Amir-agin han, one of the only two remaining hans in Novi Pazar. With its architecture, structure, and small craft shops on the ground floor, it represents a rare and precious testimony of a time when travelers and merchants stayed and rested in this building. For this reason, this han is also included in the list of monuments of great importance, protected by law.

Hamam

In the immediate vicinity of the city fortress, there is another precious cultural monument from the 15th century. It is the old Novi Pazar hamam, also known as Isa-beg's hamam. Although it carries the status of a monument of great importance, this Turkish bathhouse has been neglected and dilapidated for decades. In its original form, with as many as 11 domes and a non-typical roof for hamams, it is considered one of the most beautiful medieval hamams in Serbia. While waiting for the reconstruction that will restore the former glory of this cultural and historical monument, it is certainly worth visiting even today.

Novi Pazar Spa

Just 3 kilometers away from Novi Pazar, on the slopes of Mount Rogozna, and situated at an altitude of 505 meters, there is Novi Pazar Spa. The fresh air from the surrounding mountains (Kopaonik, Golija, Rogozna...), 14 thermo-mineral springs, and the proximity of the Ibar highway make this spa extremely popular from a medical and tourist perspective. Being a spa and climatic resort, the list of successfully treated conditions here is quite long. However, even without medical reasons, a visit and stay in Novi Pazar Spa are pleasant and beneficial.

Monasteries

Sopoćani

In the village of Doljani, about 10 kilometers away from Novi Pazar, there is the Serbian medieval monastery of Sopoćani, founded by King Stefan Uroš I. Built in the second half of the 13th century, Sopoćani is one of the most beautiful Serbian monasteries ever constructed, with frescoes that represent masterpieces of painting on a global level. Originating from a period when the Serbian state was among the most powerful and wealthiest in the Balkans, Sopoćani is one of the few monasteries where the frescoes were painted with the famous Byzantine blue color. Together with the nearby Stari Ras fortress, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Đurđevi Stupovi

About 4 kilometers northwest of Novi Pazar, on top of a hill that separates the valleys of the Deževo River and the Raška River, in a completely idyllic environment, there is another monastery on the UNESCO list. Đurđevi Stupovi was built by Stefan Nemanja in the second half of the 12th century, while King Dragutin is also mentioned as its second ktitor. During the Turkish rule over Serbia, the monastery was destroyed in the late 17th century and spent nearly 300 years in ruins. Only a small amount of the original frescoes has been preserved, which was removed from the church walls for conservation purposes and transferred to the National Museum in Belgrade. Although it has been largely restored during the 20th century, the reconstruction of the monastery is still ongoing today.

Petrova Church

Just 2 kilometers from the city center, on a hill above the right bank of the Deževo River, there is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, better known as Petrova Church in Ras. This church dates back to the 8th century, built on the foundations of an even older Early Christian basilica, and it is officially the oldest church building in Serbia. It served as the original seat of the Raška Bishopric and the church where Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja was baptized into Orthodoxy and, towards the end of his life, renounced the throne in favor of his son Stefan. As a sacral object of great age, Petrova Church is another one of the Serbian holy sites listed by UNESCO.

Mosques

One of the oldest on the Balkans, Altun Alem Mosque is located in the Old Bazaar and dates back to the 16th century. It is a rare example of Islamic architecture in Serbia that has reached such an old age, and as such, it is protected by law as a cultural heritage. Less than 300 meters away, in the same street, there is the Arap Mosque, another Islamic place of worship that can be measured in centuries. These two mosques complete the oriental ambiance of the Old Bazaar and are an integral part of it.

Jeleč Grad

Another medieval fortress from the era of the Nemanjić dynasty is located on one of the peaks of Mount Rogozna, at an altitude of about 1260 meters. Although there are no reliable records, it is believed that this fortress, Medieval Town Jeleč, was built by King Stefan Uroš I. Positioned in an excellent strategic location, Jeleč Grad was also an important mining center in its time, but surprisingly, there are not many written traces of it. The level of preservation and exploration of this fortress today is not high, except for some ramparts. However, being only 12 kilometers away from Novi Pazar, it is definitely a destination worth visiting.