If you are looking for a domestic vacation destination, we suggest you "jump" to western Serbia and visit Ljubovija. This municipality is located in the area of ​​Azbukovica hides a rich tourist offer. Fans of recreational and active tourism can enjoy rafting and rafting on the Drina River, as well as fishing, cycling, hiking. For lovers of history and architecture, numerous cultural and historical sights await here. We list them below.


Municipality of Ljubovija

Ljubovija is a settlement in Podrinje, at the confluence of the river Ljuboviđa and the Drina. It is surrounded by the Kik, Nemić and Kršino brdo hills. The municipality has close to 15,000 inhabitants, and Ljubovija as the center of the municipality has about 4,000 inhabitants. It is named after Bey Ljubović, who, at the time of the social and economic rise, built a tower above a grain field next to the Drina Drabić. The area where the municipality of Ljubovija is located is called Azbukovica.
The municipality of Ljubovija is said to be one of the most beautiful places in Serbia. It can boast of unreal natural landscapes. It is located on on the banks of the Drina river, immersed in clean air, surrounded by forests and mountains with rich flora and fauna. Mount Bobija is considered the "roof of Azbukovica" with the highest peak of Tornička Bobija at 1,272 meters. Azbukovica is crossed by several lush rivers that flow into the Drina, the most famous of which are Trešnjica and Ljuboviđa which are rich in trout.
Mountaineering enthusiasts can follow the marked hiking trails to get to know the fairy-tale landscapes of Azbukovica, and it is excellent a destination for cycling enthusiasts as well. The Drina river, clear and fast, which flows through this municipality with an incredible length of 40 kilometers, is one of favorite destinations of anglers. There is also rafting on the Drina, a unique experience due to the beauty, emerald color and lively character of this incredible river. The Ljubovija Drina regatta is a tourist brand, a trademark of the municipality of Ljubovija, its mark on the tourist map and one of the largest events in Serbia.


Drina regatta Ljubovija

Nevertheless, the area of ​​the municipality of Ljubovija can boast not only natural beauty, but also numerous monuments.
It is interesting to note that the area The municipality of Ljubovija was inhabited in prehistoric times, as evidenced by finds from grave mounds in the village of Lonjin and the city settlement of Rujevac. Through the middle century, Azbukovica was part of Byzantium and the Serbian states, and all that time lead mines were working in Crnca and Lipnik. The Turks came to this area immediately after the fall of Smederevo, in 1460. In 1860, Ljubovija became a county seat, and in 1871, by decree of Milan Obrenović, a small town.
Different rulers and historical events in this area over the centuries have left a material trace - monuments that are waiting for you to visit them. We have selected four monuments for you.

A Roman bridge tucked away in unreal natural beauty

The history of this area goes back to the distant past. Proof is the Roman bridge that crosses the Ljubovija river, just 12 kilometers from the center of Ljubovija. He was enrolled in the register of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments as an immovable asset of cultural importance in 1982, and it was declared a cultural monument in 1983, as The old bridge on the river Ljuboviđa.


Roman bridge on the river Ljubovidja

This stone bridge was the main thoroughfare of the Roman emperors in the area. The Romans built it for the needs of merchants who transported goods across the river to neighboring Bosnia, as well as ore from the mines where the famous Soko town is now located. It later continued to be a trade route during the Ottoman rule.
Although it was built by the Romans to bridge the river that was at the crossroads of the roads that led to the mineral wealth of the area, today appearance the bridge was built in Turkish times, in the 16th century.
Built of travertine stone, connected with iron clamps, and filled with liquid lead from of the nearby mine - this bridge has stood for centuries. The Roman Bridge is 5.5 meters high.
Actually, in the early history of this area they existed two bridges, one was destroyed by a swollen river, while the other, which we are talking about today, bravely resisted the whims of timid Ljuboviđa.
His whiteness and elegance perfectly blend into the wildness of the foaming waves of the swift mountain river and the harshness of the sharp rocks that overlap the nearby hills.
This bridge is located in untouched nature and is a real attraction for adventurers and history lovers. Since it remained on the territory of Serbia very few old stone bridges have been preserved, this one on Ljuboviđa is a famous example of the skill of builders and construction workers of that time.

A log church built without a single nail

This log church is dedicated to the Council of the 12 Saints Apostola and is located in the village of Donja Orovica. It was built in the 19th century, i.e. In 1839, on the foundations of the old church that was destroyed during the First World War Serbian uprising. According to some data, that old church was built and restored back in 1693 on the foundations of the medieval church of King Dragutin.


The log cabin church in the village of Donja Orovica

The foundations of the temple are made of hewn stone buried in the ground, the walls are made of hewn oak beams connected in dovetails and reinforced with wooden wedges, while roof covered with shingles. It is interesting to note that the temple was originally built without a single nail. The local residents of Vičina participated in its construction carpentry and carpentry.
On the walls of the temple, smaller openings (bullets) can be seen. The temple is 15.5 meters long, 6.3 meters wide and 7.9 meters high.
In the gate of the temple there is a moat and a prangia (cannon) from 1840.
There is also an interesting custom related to her: a guy who wanted to get married he had to raise the prangia above his head to prove that he was ready for marriage.

Temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord in in the manner of the medieval Moravian school

Church dedicated to St. Preobraženje was built from 1932 to 1940 in the Moravian style. Built is made of granite stone.


The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Ljubovija

The design of this church was done by Vasilije Mihailovic Androsov, an architect at the Ministry of Construction (designer of the main post office in Belgrade). The project was done in the manner of the Moravian school of architecture with a triconchal base, a dome and a smaller belfry on the west side, above the chancel. The external facades are realized in a combination of concrete and stone, which gives the building a monumental appearance.
The solemn consecration of the temple was done by the Bishop Šabačko-Valjevski Mr. dr. Simeon Stanković on September 21, 1940. The iconostasis was made of Slavonian oak, and he carved it Aleksandar Petrović Redkin, while Ivan Dikej was in charge of the icons on the iconostasis.
He painted fifteen wall icons in the al-sequo technique in 1968 prof. Archimandrite Nikodim Brkić from Zemun. During July and August 1975, the temple was covered with copper. There is a parish house within the church.
By the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and at the suggestion of the local self-government, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Ljubovia was declared a cultural monument. The Church of the Transfiguration in Ljubovia is an excellent example of sacral architecture of the first half of the 20th century, despite the fact that it was realized in the manner of the medieval Moravian school.


The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Ljubovija

Sveti Nikolaj Srpski Monastery with 10 chapels

St. Nikolaj Srpski Monastery is located at the foot of Sokol Mountains, below the highest peak of Rožnje, about 15 kilometers from Ljubovija. It represents the natural border between Azbukovica and Radjevina.
This sacral building is dedicated to the Holy Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović.
This monastery, which is located below the city of Soko, was built by His Holiness Reverend Bishop Lavrentije of Šabac.


Saint Nicholas Serbian Monastery

The construction of the monastery began in 1993, and at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, an imposing monastery complex. A gilded cross was erected on the rock above the monastery. Above the monastery is a monument to Bishop Nikolaj, and on the way from the monastery to of the cross there are 10 stone chapels with written commandments of God.
Ljubovija is a destination that combines untouched nature, rich history and various tourist facilities. Whether you are a fan of rafting, mountain trails and hiking, cycling, fishing or cultural and historical research monuments, this region offers unforgettable experiences. From the Roman bridge, through churches with authentic architecture, to the beautiful landscapes of Azbukovica, Ljubovija is right a place for all those who want to discover the hidden gems of western Serbia. If you havent visited this place yet, now is the right time to put it on your bucket list next trips!

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