Culture Trail
Start in Trstenik: the Church of St. Trinity – Cultural center – Katić House– the building of elementary school St. Sava – Trstenik Museum – iron bridge over the Morava – the Church of St. Petka on Vetrenjak – Ljubostinja Monastery – the return to Trstenik over the concrete bridge on the Morava.
Profile: Hiking and bicycle tour
Length: 15km
Time needed to complete the tour: 5 hrs hiking, 2 hrs by bicycle
Lowest point: Trstenik (172 m above sea level)
Highest point: Djula (438 m above sea level)
Terrain: asphalt, rough pavement
Hiking conditions: safe in any weather, from spring till autumn
Level of fitness: recreational, suitable for people that maintain regular exercise such as biking or walking
Activities: walking, mountain climbing, bike riding, hunting, fishing, herb, fruit and mushroom gathering, photography, culture, trying homemade foods and beverages.
Access to the trail by car or bus is possible in Trstenik itself, as well as from the regional freeway Kruševac – Kraljevo. The regional freeway and bus route leads to the Ljubostinja Monastery. In dry weather it is possible to go by car all the way to St. Petka Church.
Visitors who opt for walking in nature, and do not have a high level of fitness, can take a shorter and less demanding trail that can be completed in 2 hours of light walking. Upon reaching the beautiful views at the St. Petka Church, a shortcut leads back to an asphalt road to Ljubostinja.
The Culture Trail connects monuments that have marked the long history and cultural identity of Trstenik.
Itinerary: the trail is circular. It starts in Trstenik, from the city square that is dominated by the Church of St. Trinity, the building of the local Parliament and the Cultural Center.
The Church of St. Trinity dates to 1900 and was the first church built in the Neo-Morava Style, resembling the King Milutin Church in Hilandar. It is considered to be one of the most acoustic churches in the country.
The Parliament Building – was built in 1935 on the location of the old municipality building.
The Cultural Center organizes cultural life of Trstenik.
Art Gallery is known as one of the best exhibition spaces in Serbia.
Trstenik Museum promotes the ethnographic heritage of the area. Among other things, it features the objects found in neolithic excavations in Blagotin and Stragari.
The oldest preserved building in Trstenik and the surrounding area is the house of a noble salesman who lived in the second half of the 19th century – Petar Katić. The house was built in 1875 and its authentic architecture places it among the most beautiful houses of Moravska Serbia, receiving state protection since 1947. The house once served as a gallery, and its backyard has often been used as an open-air painter’s studio. The over one-century old Katić House has a pleasant restaurant serving domestic specialties.
The International Art Colony Roma gathers domestic and foreign artists. By invoking the interests of people coming from different ethnic backgrounds, it transcends simply being a Roma manifestation, because it is devoted to mutual understanding and cultural cooperation.
St. Petka Church is located on the slopes of Veternjak Hill (426m), and as the folk tales testify, it is the endowment of Jug Bogdan, where liturgies were served during the construction of the Ljubostinja Monastery at the end of the 14th century. Allegedly, when Duchess Milica relocated the relics of St. Petka from Trnovo before she brought them to Belgrade, they were laid in this church. It is believed that the water spring found here can cure infertility. It is surrounded by vineyards and provides a fantastic view over Trstenik and the surrounding area.
The Ljubostinja Monastery is 4km away from Trstenik and is the endowment of Duchess Milica, dating back to the 14th century. Milica, a mother, wife and ruler is one of the most impressive characters in Serbian history. According to folk tales, the name of the monastery is derived from the words “love” and “place” (place of love). According to the tale, this is the place where Duke Lazar and Duchess Milica first met, and she decided to build a monastery as a reminder of that event.
Since its beginnings, Ljubostinja was a cultural center of the area. Milica was joined by the despot’s wife Jefimija, the first Serbian poet. She was famous after her “Ode to Duke Lazar” was embroidered in silk on Duke Lazar’s burial shroud.
June’s “Days of Jefimija” is a medieval cultural manifestation with a long tradition. It is dedicated to Jefimija, who after the death of her husband, Despot Uglješa, devoted her life and work to Ljubostinja Monastery. The manifestation is held in mid June in the Porte of the Ljubostinja Monastery and in the Cultural Center. Well-known actresses honor Jefimija and organize a recital of the “Ode to Duke Lazar”. The program includes an art colony for female artists, a lecture on Jefimija, poetry recitals and music program.