The capital of Serbia in the 14th century, and now a small charming town with magnificent medieval monuments, Krusevac is a great day trip destination from Belgrade or from the country’s thermal spas. Here you can walk around the remarkably preserved medieval ruins from the time of the founder of the city, Tsar Lazar, visit the church in which the romantic heart of the brilliant Nikolai Raevsky rests, taste the “royal dinner” on the menu of Lazar and delve into the intricacies of wine production at the Rubin winery (and, of course,, take away a couple of bottles of “Tsar Lazar” as a keepsake). Among other things, not far from Krusevac are the healing springs of Rybarska, where you can correct the “loose” musculoskeletal system. And the surrounding area is just a miracle how good! According to petwithsupplies, Krusevac is one of the largest cities in Serbia.
How to get to Krusevac
Krusevac is located 180 km from Belgrade and 70 km from Nis and Kragujevac. From Belgrade, you can get here by bus in about 2.5 hours. Also, Krusevac can be reached by rail, the city is located on the Belgrade- Bar branch.
Transport in the city
Krusevac is a small town, its historical center is easy to get around on foot. For long distance trips, it is convenient to use municipal buses. A ticket can be purchased at stops, a trip within the city will cost no more than 2 EUR. There are also taxis in Krusevac, which are also inexpensive. The prices on the page are for December 2021.
Krusevac Hotels
Given the rich recreational and therapeutic resources of Krusevac, the number of rooms here is being updated at an accelerated pace, so you can find a good selection of accommodation options in the city – from family pensions and modest guest houses to excellent spa-inclined hotels. For a comfortable mid-range accommodation, get ready to pay 2200-3300 RSD per night, a room in the “four” will cost about 4000 RSD, and a spa hotel will invite you to stay overnight for 5000-6500 RSD.
Treatment in Krusevac
Treatment and wellness is an important area of tourism in Krusevac and the surrounding area. Mineral springs and spa complex Rybarska are located 30 km from the city, the only sanatorium in Serbia that has state certification in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Rybarska water contains more than 70 trace elements vital for orthopedic rehabilitation. Treatment methods – various baths, mud wraps, “dry” and underwater massages. The prices are democratic in Serbian, and the result is magnificent.
An indispensable point of the excursion program in Krusevac is a visit to the Rubin winery with a tasting of the products.
Cuisine and restaurants
It will not be difficult for a hungry tourist in Krusevac to kill a worm: eateries and restaurants of national cuisine are literally located here at every step, their concentration is especially high in the historical center. The traditional meal consists of a rich bungur soup made from crushed cereals and several types of meat, which is usually eaten with sour milk, a game main dish and a hearty pie for dessert. It is customary to accompany lunch with red wine, a lot of varieties of which are produced in the region. Among the most recommended wines is the wine with a long history and the Tsar Lazar taste appreciated by experts.
All the richness of Serbian cuisine can be tasted in the restaurant “Laterna” or in the traditional “Olive Drva”. International dishes, coupled with pleasant music, are served in the evenings at the popular Jazz Club. Well, you can refresh yourself during the excursion day in the restaurant-pizzeria with the laconic name “E. T.”
Shopping and shops
Souvenirs from Krusevac can be purchased in shops near historical sites. The best choice is in the souvenir shop near Lazarskaya Church. It is also worth buying wines from the Rubin factory here – they can be purchased both during the tasting tour and in the shops of the city. In addition, “all-Serbian” souvenirs can be brought from Krusevac: textiles with embroidery, dolls in national clothes, leather goods and carved wood.
Entertainment and attractions Krusevac
It is worth starting acquaintance with Krusevac from the Old Town of Tsar Lazar. From the buildings of the 14th century, there are several ruins of varying degrees of preservation: parts of the fortress wall, watchtowers, donjons and several churches. The Lazarus Church, built in 1376 in the Moravian style, is definitely worth a visit. The church is dedicated to St. Stephen and the Virgin Mary and is interesting for its exceptionally rich architectural details: rosettes, arches, heraldic symbols, animal and plant ornaments. Inside is the tomb of King Lazar, and next to it is his monument. Another interesting church is dedicated to St. George – it is easily recognizable by its unusual yellow and red striped facade.
Lazarus Church is surrounded by a shady city park with lots of places for recreation and picnics. Nearby, in a building of the 19th century, there is the Krusevac City Museum with an interesting collection of exhibits on the history and culture of the city – there are more than 22 thousand of them in total. Also in the city it is worth seeing the oldest building of secular architecture – the residence of Szymitz from the 18th century. And in the art gallery of the city you can see the works of Serbian artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another remarkable building of religious architecture is the medieval monastery of St. Roman, which was built during the time of Tsar Lazar on the ruins of a church from the 9th century. The monastery got its name from St. Roman Sinai, who lived in this place and was buried here.
The heart of the Russian aristocrat Nikolai Raevsky, the prototype of Vronsky from Anna Karenina, is buried in the monastery.
The monument to the heroes of Kosovo is located on the central avenue of Krusevac. This monumental structure, surrounded by picturesque flower beds, makes for great photos.
An indispensable point of the excursion program in Krusevac is a visit to the Rubin winery with a tasting of the products. Rubin has been producing a full range of wines since 1995, with an emphasis on working with autochthonous grape varieties. The visit to the factory will take about two hours, tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Office.
Events in the city
Every year on January 19, Krusevac hosts a swim in the Western Morava River in honor of the Golden Epiphany Cross, and on January 27, St. Sava’s ball takes place. In both events, you can participate as a tourist; appropriate toilets are required at the ball. In June, Krusevac is filled with the sweet sounds of the harp – the Serbian festival of gusli is held here.
