the settlement is a unique location that’s known to the guests of Rtnja as the “Vre- lo Sanctuary”. This place was explored by academic Jovan Davidović, who took precise measurements and confirmed the existence of bioenergetic radiation that has a positive effect on physical and mental health. It is recommended to spend around twenty minutes a day at the “Sanctuary”. Another must-visit spot in this settlement is the Rosarium, a ro- tunda constructed in the 1920s that’s to- day overgrown with creeping roses. Built by the Minh family, the then owners of a local mine, it occupies the entrance of a 40-hectare forest park. Visitors can tour the museum exhibition located in the villa “Greta” at the heart of the village. Cyclops Hall and Hajduk Hall Bogovina Cave is a protected Category III natural monument that is around six kilometres long and has a tailored visitor path covering a distance of 540 metres. Located 12 kilometres from Boljevac, it is situated close to the Bogovina Coal Mine. Boasting exceptional cave jewel- lery, visitors can explore four of its nat- ural halls: the Mining Hall; the Concert Hall, with its exceptional acoustics; Cy- clops Hall; and Hajduk Hall, known for its stalagmite that has a diameter of two metres and rises to a height of ten me- tres, and that is named after Hajduk Vel- jko. The cave is home to a protected spe- cies of bat and an endemic species of terrestrial shrimp. It is open to visitors every day year-round. Homeland house of sculptor Ljubinka Savić Grasi Born in the village of Ilino, Ljubinka Sav- ić Grasi completed the Academy of Fine Arts and postgraduate studies in Bel- grade, in the class of Professor Dolinar. Her artistic oeuvre encompasses sculp- tures of women and children, portraits of historical figures on medallions and plaques, monuments and memorials. She exhibited both in the country and abroad. Her memorial house is locat- ed in the centre of Ilino, some four kilo- metres from Boljevac. The building was constructed in the late 19 th century and belonged to her ancestors. Reconstruct- ed in an authentic style, part of the inte- rior has been furnished with a collection of objects and furniture that was used at
the beginning of the 20 th century, while another part of the house presents docu- ments, photographs and artworks creat- ed by this famous sculptor. Monasteries that fortify the soul The territory of Boljevac is home to three monasteries that were built in the 15 th and 16 th centuries and have been declared cultural monuments un- der state protection: Lozica, Krepičevac and Lapušnja. The Church of St. Arch- angel Gabriel, better known as Lozica Monastery, is located close to the village of Krivi Vir and can be accessed via the Paraćin-Zaječar national road. The mon- astery was first mentioned in histori- cal records in the 1455 Ottoman census of the Sandžak of Vidin, when the pres- ence of two priests was noted. The mon- astery church, which has been renovat- ed twice, has been working continuously since 1854. Krepičevac Monastery, with the Church of the Holy Virgin, is located 18 kilo- metres from Boljevac. Situated close to the village of Jablanica, it occupies a wooded area that hides it from the view of passersby, which was a norm for sanc-
tuaries built in medieval times. Built in the 15 th century, the monastery is to- day accessed via a macadam road and is known as a sanctuary that fortifies the body and soul, as the name suggests. Krivi Vir village, with peonies and cheeses Thanks to its attractive location, histor- ical events and natural environment, Krivi Vir occupies a special place on the Boljevac tourist map. The village is locat- ed at the source of the Crni Timok riv- er, the banks of which have a landscaped picnic area that hosts culinary and en- tertainment events. Krivi Vir is known for the Timok Rebellion of 1883, but al- so for its three hundred hectares of peo- ny fields. These wonderful flowers have their own recognised days at the begin- ning of May, while special days are al- so reserved for local cheeses, with a fair held on the first weekend of September. World-renowned gastronomic events are held in 12 villages of the Boljevac mu- nicipality, providing ample reason to vis- it. Enjoying traditional dishes prepared over open fires represents a genuine gas- tronomic holiday.
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