Things to Do in Pomoravlje District
Pomoravlje District lies in central Serbia along the Belgrade to Niš road. Jagodina is the district seat, and the other municipalities are Ćuprija, Paraćin, Despotovac, Svilajnac and Rekovac. The main draws are a show cave, a waterfall, active monasteries and a few museums. Prices are in Serbian dinars (RSD), and rural road signs are often in Cyrillic only.
Resava Cave
Resava Cave is near the village of Jelovac, 21 km from Despotovac and 152 km from Belgrade. Entry is by guided group only. The operator lists visiting hours of 08:00 to 16:00, with a first tour at 08:30, further tours every 45 minutes and a last tour at 15:30. An adult ticket costs 700 RSD, students and pupils pay 650 RSD, and children under 7 pay 50 RSD.
About 800 m of the roughly 4.5 km system is walkable. It is cold and damp inside, so bring a jacket and wear closed shoes with grip. The access road has been closed on days of military exercises, so check the operator notice before a day trip, and phone 035/611-110 to confirm winter hours.
Lisine and Veliki Buk
The Lisine natural monument is about 20 km east of Despotovac. Its centrepiece is the Veliki Buk waterfall, about 20 m high, fed by the Veliko Vrelo spring below Beljanica. The area has first-category protection, so keep to the paths and take your rubbish with you.
Manasija monastery
Manasija is an active monastery 2 km northwest of Despotovac, founded by Despot Stefan Lazarević between 1406 and 1418. It is known for its ring of fortified walls and towers and its Morava-school frescoes. Restoration of the ramparts is due to finish by 2027, so some sections may be fenced off.
Cover your shoulders and knees, ask before photographing inside the church and keep your voice low.
Ravanica monastery
Ravanica stands in the village of Senje, in Ćuprija municipality, about 10 to 12 km from Ćuprija town. It is the endowment and burial church of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, and his relics returned there in 1989. The monks still live and worship here, so treat it as a place of prayer first and a sight second.
Museums in Jagodina and Svilajnac
The Museum of Naive and Marginal Art at Boška Đuričića 10 in Jagodina was founded in 1960 as the Gallery of Self-taught Artists and took its present name in 2007. It is open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 15:00. See the museum site for current details.
The Natural History Centre of Serbia in Svilajnac charges 850 RSD for adults, 550 RSD for children aged 3 to 12 and 600 RSD for pensioners and students. Under-3s enter free, and the last entry is 60 minutes before closing. Ticket details are on the centre’s site .
Getting around
The E75/A1 motorway passes Paraćin, Jagodina and Ćuprija. Jagodina is about 140 km from Belgrade and about 100 km from Niš. Despotovac, Manasija and the cave are easiest by car or on an organised day tour. Check current travel advice before you go and avoid protest gatherings, which can disrupt transport at short notice.
Read more: Sightseeing in Pomoravlje District covers the monasteries and natural monuments in more detail.
Booking help
Organised day tours that combine the cave, the waterfall and Manasija can be compared on GetYourGuide .