Leskovac

Leskovac lies in the fertile basin of southern Serbia, in a landscape that naturally invites life: the plains are gentle enough for gardens, while the surrounding hills and mountains are close enough for the town never to forget the scent of the forest. It is no coincidence that vegetables have been cultivated here for centuries, or that red peppers are almost a local currency – in Leskovac, flavor is not explained, it is grown. Leskovac is also remembered as a powerful industrial center of the textile industry, once known as the “Serbian Manchester,” but equally as a town of outstanding horticulture and gastronomy.

If you want to understand Leskovac, start with the elevation that rises above it like a natural terrace: Hisar Hill. Today it is a landscaped picnic area and memorial park, with an ethno-archaeological complex and stories that do not end with a single century.

At the National Museum of Leskovac, the permanent exhibition “A Time Machine of the Leskovac Region” takes visitors through the history of the local area, leaving a particularly strong impression with the figure of the Serbian knight Nikola Skobaljić – a hero who long ago crossed from history into legend.

For those who prefer the “field” to display cases, the wider surroundings offer the story of Skobaljić Town (Green Town), a fortress above Vučje and the canyon of the Vučjanka River – a place where nature itself seems to have designed the defenses.

The center of Leskovac can surprise you: alongside valuable examples of European architecture, the urban core is adorned with the City Hall and the house of Šop Đokić, built in a recognizable Balkan style.

Orthodox churches also hold a special place in the city’s identity: the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, known as Odžaklija, and the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, which together testify to the strength and continuity of the local community.

And when you wish to understand how Leskovac truly “worked,” turn toward the village of Strojkovac: set in the ambiance of an old watermill, the Museum of the Textile Industry offers an excellent reminder of a time when the rhythm of the city, work discipline, and ambition all originated here.

In Leskovac, grilled meat is more than food – it is the city’s calling card. Alongside it come mućkalica, the Leskovac “train,” ajvar, and a whole range of “small” specialties that feel like major events once they reach the table.

The highlight of this story is the Grill Festival (Roštiljijada), an event that each year turns the city into a stage of flavor, smoke (the good kind), and music, with programs that also include cultural content.

If you want a practical guide’s tip: arrive hungry, but curious as well. In Leskovac, “I’ll just have a taste” often turns into “where’s dessert… and one more portion.”

Near Leskovac lies one of Serbia’s most impressive archaeological surprises: Caričin Grad – Justiniana Prima (Latin: Justiniana Prima), an Early Byzantine metropolis built by Emperor Justinian I. The site is on UNESCO’s Tentative List, and walking among its remains creates that rare feeling of being both small and privileged at the same time.

Another memorable excursion leads into the canyon of the Vučjanka River, to the Vučje Hydroelectric Power Plant – a place where water quite literally sparked a revolution. The plant began operating in 1903, just eight years after the hydroelectric power station at Niagara Falls. The greatest credit goes to Professor Đorđe Stanojević, the founder of electrification in the Kingdom of Serbia and a close friend of Nikola Tesla.

For a calmer pace, the nearby Jašunja Monastery complex and the Rudare Monastery are also recommended – points on the map that remind visitors that southern Serbia, alongside its energy, also holds a deep and restorative silence.

Throughout 2026, Leskovac will hold the title of “National Capital of Culture,” further intriguing visitors with a rich and diverse cultural program. The city will become a large open stage for contemporary art, traditional creativity, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and encounters that connect the local scene with regional and European cultural currents. Special emphasis will be placed on public spaces, authentic urban locations, and citizen participation, allowing culture to step out of institutions and become part of everyday life.

Arriving in Leskovac is always filled with curiosity, while leaving it comes with gastronomic pleasure and stories that call you back again and again.