The 262.5-metre Sava Bridge of Academic Nikola Hajdin is the longest suspension pedestrian bridge in Europe, connecting Sremska and Mačvanska Mitrovica
On the outskirts of the city, in the foothills of Fruška Gora, stand the monasteries of Šišatovac, Petkovica, Kuveždin, Bešenovo and Vranjaš. They have for centuries preserved books, icons, wine and stories that have be- come part of the identity of Srem. The Imperial Palace is the most representative remnant of ancient Sirmium and the strongest physical evidence that the city was one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire during the Tetrarchy. Massive walls, extravagant floor mosaics and trac- es of a great hippodrome form a silent yet powerful image of former glory. The archaeological complex of the Im- perial Palace is today open to visitors, who can step back in time and literally walk the same path as ancient Roman legionnaires. Sremska Mitrovica also offers getaways in nature. Located just a few kilometres from the city is the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve, rep- resenting an oasis of tranquil water, reeds and marsh birds. This area of pristine nature is home to Europe- an beavers, mangalica pigs and the old breed of Balkan donkeys, whose milk is used to produce the famous Pule cheese, the world’s rarest and most expensive cheese. Zasavica is a
paradise for lovers of nature, birds, tranquillity and slow tourism. Wood- en lanes, observation points, boat rides and native species make this ar- ea ideal for a day trip, but also an im- portant ally of the city when it comes to preserving biodiversity. When the time comes to dine, it’s hard to imagine a local spread without salami-style kulen, home-made sau-
sages, grilled fish fresh from the river and a glass of white wine from Fruš- ka Gora. On every corner of the city, you can smell homecooked food that’s been prepared carefully and seasoned perfectly. The area around Srems- ka Mitrovica is also known for the vineyards that stretch over the gen- tle slopes of Fruška Gora. Numerous small wineries, often family-owned establishments, open their doors to travellers who are eager to sample the local wine. The greatest appeal of Sremska Mitrovica is precisely in its size. Not too big or overcrowded, it nonethe- less offers everything required for a high-quality life: culture, education, sport and nature. In these times when ever more cities are trying to present themselves as being “green”, Sremska Mitrovica carries that epithet without the need to draw attention to the fact. It is green in its customs, geography and the character of its people. Srems- ka Mitrovica remains one of the most beautiful places on the plains.
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