there’s even a beer called Merak). For Bal- kan basics, any fan of‘burek’(a greasy pie with various llings) probably knows there are a few versions of this mega-popular pastry. The round burek, which is usually cut into quarters, is the all-time-favour- ite across most of the region. Fun fact: it’s believed burek was actually created in Niš in the mid-15th century!
resented by the widely popular Nišville In- ternational Jazz Festival. Held within the walls of Niš Fortress, Nišville is acclaimed as one of the top European events of its kind, attracting big-name jazz, R&B, soul, funk and reggae acts from around the world to Serbia every August. Fans of pop, rock or electronic dance music are sure to have some fun at the city’s other festivals: Nisomnia and Nais- sus Fest. Adding to its‘merak’credentials, Niš was also the hometown of legend- ary Roma singer Šaban Bajramović, hailed across the Balkans as the ‘King of Roma- ny music’. The late musician is today hon- oured with a monument on the quay be- side the River Nišava, which is a popular place for strolling or simply chilling over drinks with friends.
NIŠ KIND OF ADVENTURE
Merak isn’t the only thing that matters in Niš. The surrounding area is a paradise for all sorts of outdoor activities. The Siće- vo and Jelašnica gorges provide the per- fect setting for some adventure in pristine nature. Adrenaline junkies can choose be- tween free climbing on the gorges’ lime- stone rocks and paragliding. If you’re not a fan of heights, try venturing deep in- to the Earth by visiting the impressive, more than 6km-long Cerje Cave, locat- ed some 14km from Niš. Over two mil- lion years old and rich in ornamentation (including seemingly gravity-defying he- lictites), this massive cave has only been partially explored and is still not regular- ly open for tourists. Niš is also known as the home of Niš- ka Banja. This mild-climate spa has ve mineral springs with healing waters that were even transported all the way to Me- diana Palace back in the days of Constan- tine the Great. It’s located just 10km from the city centre, so hop on a local bus for a dose of oriental massages or soothing choco-mint rubs. And everything detailed above can be summed up with one word – merak!
CAPITAL OF GOOD FOOD
glajdingu. Ako niste obožavatelj visina, mo- žete da se spustite duboko ispod površine i posetite impresivnu Cerjansku pećinu, koja se nalazi na 14 kilometara od Niša. Stara dva miliona godina, sa bogatim ukrasima (helik- titi) koji prkose gravitaciji, ova pećina je sa- mo delom istražena i nije u celosti otvorena za sve posetioce... Niš je takođe poznat i po Niškoj banji. Ču- vena po umerenoj klimi, ova banja ima pet mineralnih izvora, sa kojih je u vreme Kon- stantina Velikog voda nošena sve do Medija- ne. S obzirom na to da se nalazi svega deset kilometara od centra grada, do banje se mo- že stići gradskim prevozom, pa ne propusti- te priliku da uživate u orijentalnoj masaži ili čoko-tretmanima. I sve gore navedeno stane u jednu reč – merak!
According to an old saying, you can’t put a price on merak, and that’s something that anyone visiting Niš will quickly learn. Compared to Balkan capitals and other pop- ular cities in the region, the culinary o er in Niš is exceptionally tasty and incredi- bly cheap. With dozens of charming Ser- bian taverns (kafana), the city’s Kazandži- jsko sokače (Tinkers’ Alley) is a must for both food lovers and party-goers. If you’re already familiar with local meat favourites ćevapčići and pljeska- vica, don’t miss the famous grilled ribs with kajmak (creamy milk curd) or try pork knuckle baked in cabbage and topped with bacon. Add to the list a large por- tion of šopska or moravska salad on the side and a pint of a cold local beer (hint:
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