Knjaževac – The “Serbian Venice” Between Time and Silence

Once known as Gurgusovac, this town preserves the memory of its historic name and the era of great societal and political changes. With the arrival of a new century and its renaming to Knjaževac, in honor of Serbian princes and statehood, the town has kept everything that makes it special – spirit, tradition, and a deep bond with the land and its people.

A visit to the Knjaževac Homeland Museum reveals a rich cultural treasury. From prehistoric artifacts to unique two-threaded wool socks, Roman relics to photographs of the town’s old life, this museum guards identity and memory. Especially valuable are its archaeological and ethnological collections, which testify to the resilience and skill of the local people.

Near the town, in the village of Ravna, lies the Archaeo-Ethno Park, a unique place where the past is not forgotten, but lived. On the remains of the Roman settlement Timacum Minus, dating from the 1st to 4th century AD, at the foot of vine-covered hills, centuries-old stories come to life. Traditional houses, tools, and customs complete the picture of a life that does not vanish but is passed down.

Knjaževac is not only a town of history, but also a town of taste. This region is renowned for its vineyards which, under gentle mountain breezes and fertile soil, yield wines increasingly appreciated in Serbia and beyond. From refreshing white wine and lavish rosé to rich Prokupac red, every wine here is savored slowly – with respect for the sun, the rain, the labor, and time.

Nestled in the embrace of Stara Planina, where calm rivers meet and bridges reflect upon their surfaces, Knjaževac justly bears the nickname “Serbian Venice”. Its many bridges connecting the banks of the Timok River make this town unique and picturesque. Life here flows in the rhythm of water – calm, steady, and deep.