Alva Guide Book
Sightseeing
This beautiful perl is located only 20 km from Nis. A cap ride only 40 min away (around 1500 DIN). A must for nature lovers. This is my favorite place to visit when in Nis.
Suva Planina
This beautiful perl is located only 20 km from Nis. A cap ride only 40 min away (around 1500 DIN). A must for nature lovers. This is my favorite place to visit when in Nis.
The concentration camp located in the district of Crveni Krst (Red Cross) is one of the few fully preserved fascist camps in Europe. Even today, it provides authentic testimony to the perils of the Serbian, Romani, and Jewish population, communists, numerous supporters of the liberation movement and partisans, who were incarcerated here during the German occupation of Serbia (1941-1944).
The sinister grey low-rise buildings here tell a special story though: on the 12th February 1942 there was a massive escape of prisoners. Out of 147 inmates who attempted to flee, 105 managed to escape, while 82 died along the way.
After that successful escape, and another in December 1942, the camp became a venue of death.
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Crveni krst konsentrasjonsleir
Bulevar 12. februaraThe concentration camp located in the district of Crveni Krst (Red Cross) is one of the few fully preserved fascist camps in Europe. Even today, it provides authentic testimony to the perils of the Serbian, Romani, and Jewish population, communists, numerous supporters of the liberation movement and partisans, who were incarcerated here during the German occupation of Serbia (1941-1944).
The sinister grey low-rise buildings here tell a special story though: on the 12th February 1942 there was a massive escape of prisoners. Out of 147 inmates who attempted to flee, 105 managed to escape, while 82 died along the way.
After that successful escape, and another in December 1942, the camp became a venue of death.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great (4th Century), Mediana is now a protected archeological site. The inhabitants of Roman Naissus apparently settled not only in the core of the city but also its surroundings. Thus it has become clear that Mediana represented an important epicentre of distribution, supplying goods and basic food products for the empire.
Located on what was then 'Via militaris' (military road), now the Niš - Sofia road, the estate occupies 40 hectares and exhibits the remnants of a granary, craft centre, villas, thermae, and the remains of an ancient villa with rich mosaics, most of which depict geometrical or floral motifs. The museum contains sculptures and portraits of Roman gods and goddesses, utensils for daily use (bowls, pitchers, lamps) and lead pipes used to provide healing hot water from the nearby Niška Banja (Niš Spa). The Roman emperor obviously prized his luxury. Well worth seeing in the summer months to fully feel the spirit of Constantine's relaxing retreat.
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Mediana
Bulevar Svetog cara KonstantinaBuilt during the reign of Constantine the Great (4th Century), Mediana is now a protected archeological site. The inhabitants of Roman Naissus apparently settled not only in the core of the city but also its surroundings. Thus it has become clear that Mediana represented an important epicentre of distribution, supplying goods and basic food products for the empire.
Located on what was then 'Via militaris' (military road), now the Niš - Sofia road, the estate occupies 40 hectares and exhibits the remnants of a granary, craft centre, villas, thermae, and the remains of an ancient villa with rich mosaics, most of which depict geometrical or floral motifs. The museum contains sculptures and portraits of Roman gods and goddesses, utensils for daily use (bowls, pitchers, lamps) and lead pipes used to provide healing hot water from the nearby Niška Banja (Niš Spa). The Roman emperor obviously prized his luxury. Well worth seeing in the summer months to fully feel the spirit of Constantine's relaxing retreat.
Somewhat of a local legend, Kalča, was a fictional hunter who came to Niš and stayed as a guest of 'Ivko', a local man. Not wanting to leave, he hung around for three days, eating, drinking, talking and telling tall tales of his adventures and encounters in the wild, which were often based on fantasy and always exaggerated. Stevan Sremac, famous Serbian novelist, author of 'Ivkova Slava' (Ivka's Glory) and creator of the aforementioned storyteller, lived in Niš for 13 years and influenced its literary culture significantly. The bronze sculpture - positioned at the end of what was once a famous craftsmen' street, Kazandžijsko sokače (Tinkers' Alley) - shows Kalča telling an animated story, his faithful dog (Čapa) and Stevan Sremać listening intently, all of whom seem to be drinking rakija, unsurprisingly enough. It was created by academic sculptor, Ivan Felker.
Stevan Sremac and Kalča Monument
KopitarevaSomewhat of a local legend, Kalča, was a fictional hunter who came to Niš and stayed as a guest of 'Ivko', a local man. Not wanting to leave, he hung around for three days, eating, drinking, talking and telling tall tales of his adventures and encounters in the wild, which were often based on fantasy and always exaggerated. Stevan Sremac, famous Serbian novelist, author of 'Ivkova Slava' (Ivka's Glory) and creator of the aforementioned storyteller, lived in Niš for 13 years and influenced its literary culture significantly. The bronze sculpture - positioned at the end of what was once a famous craftsmen' street, Kazandžijsko sokače (Tinkers' Alley) - shows Kalča telling an animated story, his faithful dog (Čapa) and Stevan Sremać listening intently, all of whom seem to be drinking rakija, unsurprisingly enough. It was created by academic sculptor, Ivan Felker.
The fortress represents the most prominent sight and symbol of Niš, positioned near the core of the city on the banks of the rapidly flowing Nišava river. The current fortifications being Turkish and dating from the 18th Century, it's one of the best preserved in the central Balkans. Having been pulled down and rebuilt several times during Nis's turbulent history, the walls contain objects from various sources. In fact, the Turks were in such a rush to finish their structure and secure the vitally strategic area that they used any building material that came to hand: blocks, columns and even old Roman tombstones.
The main gate at the southern entrance is climbable for elevated city views, and happens to be the best preserved. Inside the walls there are numerous remaining monuments to significant influences: the Lapidarium (0 - 300AD), the remains of an early Byzantine street, a small but aesthetically pleasing 'Bali-bey' Mosque, the monument to a Serbian liberator Prince Mihailo Obrenović, the prison and the beautiful Turkish baths (Hammam), now a very good restaurant. The Fortress covers 22 hectares, its walls are 2,100 meters long, 8 meters high, and, on average, 3 meters wide.
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Tvrđava
The fortress represents the most prominent sight and symbol of Niš, positioned near the core of the city on the banks of the rapidly flowing Nišava river. The current fortifications being Turkish and dating from the 18th Century, it's one of the best preserved in the central Balkans. Having been pulled down and rebuilt several times during Nis's turbulent history, the walls contain objects from various sources. In fact, the Turks were in such a rush to finish their structure and secure the vitally strategic area that they used any building material that came to hand: blocks, columns and even old Roman tombstones.
The main gate at the southern entrance is climbable for elevated city views, and happens to be the best preserved. Inside the walls there are numerous remaining monuments to significant influences: the Lapidarium (0 - 300AD), the remains of an early Byzantine street, a small but aesthetically pleasing 'Bali-bey' Mosque, the monument to a Serbian liberator Prince Mihailo Obrenović, the prison and the beautiful Turkish baths (Hammam), now a very good restaurant. The Fortress covers 22 hectares, its walls are 2,100 meters long, 8 meters high, and, on average, 3 meters wide.
Serbia does a fine line in grisly historical monuments, but few invoke as much terror and disgust as the is-exactly-what-it-says-it-is Skull Tower. Located in Niš, the name doesn’t really leave any question marks over the primary material used to construct the tower. In short, this tower was once made out of skulls, human skulls.
The Ottoman occupation of Serbia was brutal, to say the least. The Serbian population and culture was stuck under the gigantic boot of the Islamic empire, and the Ottomans weren’t shy when it came to stamping down. Rebellions were as inevitable as they were frequent, but by the 19th century these attempted revolutions came with added vigour and renewed enthusiasm. The First Serbian Uprising kicked off in 1804, although poor organisation eventually worked against the Serbs. The situation looked dire once again.
Serbian leaders found themselves fighting losing battles, vastly outgunned and outnumbered. This was the case at the Battle of Čegar in May 1809, but the Serb leader (a man by the name of Stevan Sinđelić) was about to go down with all guns blazing — he was going to take as many Ottomans out as he could. His trench was overran and he subsequently blew the whole thing up, ending the life of anyone and everyone in the vicinity, no matter which uniform they had on.
Angered by this suicidal move, Ottoman Grand Vizier Hurshid Pasha demanded the skulls of the rebels be sent to Sultan Mahmud in Constantinople, who decided that the best course of action would be to build a monument that might put the fear of death into the Serbs in and around Niš. 952 skulls were built into a tower, 14 ghastly rows of 17 skulls on four sides. Thus the Skull Tower in Niš came into being.
It turned out that skulls aren’t the best material with which to build a tower, and the dismembered heads subsequently started to fall out. Plenty of the skulls were stolen as well, as the Serbs looked for new ways to irritate their Ottoman overlords. The empire was running out of steam, and the tower eventually became a symbol of defiance for the Serbs as opposed to a warning. On January 11, 1878, Niš was once again under Serbian control.
The Skull Tower is now a protected monument of the city, one of its most famous attractions and a tangible piece of evidence showing the horror under which the Serbs lived for centuries. Less than 100 skulls remain in the tower today with that number dwindling all the time, although the Skull Tower will forever live on in the Serbian consciousness.
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Ćele Kula
Serbia does a fine line in grisly historical monuments, but few invoke as much terror and disgust as the is-exactly-what-it-says-it-is Skull Tower. Located in Niš, the name doesn’t really leave any question marks over the primary material used to construct the tower. In short, this tower was once made out of skulls, human skulls.
The Ottoman occupation of Serbia was brutal, to say the least. The Serbian population and culture was stuck under the gigantic boot of the Islamic empire, and the Ottomans weren’t shy when it came to stamping down. Rebellions were as inevitable as they were frequent, but by the 19th century these attempted revolutions came with added vigour and renewed enthusiasm. The First Serbian Uprising kicked off in 1804, although poor organisation eventually worked against the Serbs. The situation looked dire once again.
Serbian leaders found themselves fighting losing battles, vastly outgunned and outnumbered. This was the case at the Battle of Čegar in May 1809, but the Serb leader (a man by the name of Stevan Sinđelić) was about to go down with all guns blazing — he was going to take as many Ottomans out as he could. His trench was overran and he subsequently blew the whole thing up, ending the life of anyone and everyone in the vicinity, no matter which uniform they had on.
Angered by this suicidal move, Ottoman Grand Vizier Hurshid Pasha demanded the skulls of the rebels be sent to Sultan Mahmud in Constantinople, who decided that the best course of action would be to build a monument that might put the fear of death into the Serbs in and around Niš. 952 skulls were built into a tower, 14 ghastly rows of 17 skulls on four sides. Thus the Skull Tower in Niš came into being.
It turned out that skulls aren’t the best material with which to build a tower, and the dismembered heads subsequently started to fall out. Plenty of the skulls were stolen as well, as the Serbs looked for new ways to irritate their Ottoman overlords. The empire was running out of steam, and the tower eventually became a symbol of defiance for the Serbs as opposed to a warning. On January 11, 1878, Niš was once again under Serbian control.
The Skull Tower is now a protected monument of the city, one of its most famous attractions and a tangible piece of evidence showing the horror under which the Serbs lived for centuries. Less than 100 skulls remain in the tower today with that number dwindling all the time, although the Skull Tower will forever live on in the Serbian consciousness.
Relaxation
Niska Banja offers wellness and spa programs helping your body and soul establish harmony and reduce stress. You may choose relaxation through a number of programs: anti-age, anti-stress, happy weekend and anti-cellulite. Packages are also available which include massage, jacuzzi with thermal water, aromatic baths, Finnish and vibro-saunas, and cosmetic treatment.
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Niska banja
Niska Banja offers wellness and spa programs helping your body and soul establish harmony and reduce stress. You may choose relaxation through a number of programs: anti-age, anti-stress, happy weekend and anti-cellulite. Packages are also available which include massage, jacuzzi with thermal water, aromatic baths, Finnish and vibro-saunas, and cosmetic treatment.