The coldest settlement On the edge of the Pešter plateau, around ten kilometres from the bor- der with Montenegro, lies the village of Karajukića Bunari, which is classed as the coldest place in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia, where tempera- tures can drop to as low as minus 40. According to meteorological analyses conducted in the Sjenica basin and on the Peštera plateau, the accumulat- ing and retaining of the cold air that descends from surrounding moun- tains causes temperature inversions, resulting in extremely cooled air be- ing trapped at the bottom of the ba- sin and causing low temperatures. In the Cer foothills below Trajan For- tress near Karajukića Bunari, in the spot where a lake still remains and where the air is at its coldest, Chris- tian Orthodox followers believe that Saint George killed the dragon, while Muslims believe that great deed was done by Alija Đerzelez. Sopoćani Monastery Built at the very source of the
birth of the Serbian state, 17 km from today’s Novi Pazar, Sopoćani Mon- astery is a structure with elements that are important in multiple ways. From the history aspect, this build- ing recalls the presence of the rulers of Serbia’s greatest medieval dynas- ty, the Nemanjić Dynasty. The mon- astery was founded by King Stefan Uroš I, son of King Stefan the First- Crowned, who built the first church here around the year 1260. A series of other rulers subsequently upgraded the monastery, which is today a ver- itable treasure trove of unique fresco painting and a mausoleum of the roy- al family. Its multifaceted values have led to this monastery being includ- ed on the list of world cultural her- itage. The most distinctive feature of Sopoćani are its fresco compositions that were created in the classic style of antiquity by the most prominent artists of Constantinople. Petar’s church, Stari Ras Stari Ras is a fortified medieval complex of monuments located at a crossroads where the main routes from west and south joined to head further eastwards. Its ruins remain at the site of Gradina, which is locat- ed near Sopoćani Monastery, some 11 km west of Novi Pazar. Petar’s Church in Ras represents the oldest monument of church archi- tecture on the territory of Serbia and was the original seat of the Bishop- ric of Ras. The church is located just two kilometres north of Novi Pazar
city centre and is believed - accord- ing to written records identified so far - to date back to the 8 th centu- ry, though it is probably even older. Altun-Alem Mosque The Altun-Alem Mosque was constructed during the first half of the 16 th century by Ottoman mason Muslihuddin Abdul Ghani, who is re- sponsible for the creation of many buildings in the Balkans. This ma- son is assumed to have been very wealthy, given that he constructed so many buildings, and was also very well educated. Đurđevi Stupovi Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery is dedicated to St. George and was built in 1171 at the behest of great pre- fect Stefan Nemanja. His founder’s inscription dating back to 1170/1171 is one of the few dated monuments from the era and represents an im- portant testimony to the beginnings of Serbian literacy. Đurđevi Stupovi is distinctive thanks to its specific po- sition, at the very top of a prominent rise, and its authentic architecture: with two towers (stupas), after which both the church and monastery are named. King Dragutin is recorded as the second founder of the monastery, having ordered the building of the monastery chapel and the painting of its narthex. Đurđevi Stupovi rep- resents a structure that included nu- merous architectural and construc- tional innovations for the period.
Udaljena tridesetak
kilometara od Novog Pazara, Golija je idealno mesto za sve koji traže mir i beg od gradske gužve Located around 30 kilometres from Novi Pazar, Golija mountain is the ideal destination for everyone seeking to flee the hustle and bustle of the city and find peace
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