Open terminal waters near the city of Nis, Serbia. Where to go in Nis and what to see? Chegar - memory of the tragic battle

Attractions

The most ancient monuments of the city include the early Christian crypt, the mausoleum in Niška Banya, the ruins of the Church of St. Archangel Gabriel, the Byzantine basilica and crypt in Ostrovitsa, the ruins of a Roman palace, baptistery, baths and nymphaeum in Mediana. The main attractions of Niš: the Niš monasteries of St. Theotokos, the monastery and church of Hilandarski Metoh, as well as the churches of St. Sava, St. Paraskeva of Iveron and many others included in the monastery complex. Later architectural monuments include the buildings of Banovina and Gradska Kupa in the style of late neoclassicism, the building of the People's Pozorishte, the building of the Niš Radio Center (which served as the residence of King Peter I), and the monumental building of the Main Post Office.

Tower of Skulls Chele Kula

On May 31, 1809, Serbian rebels suffered a major defeat on Mount Cegar in the First Uprising against Ottoman Empire. Realizing the inevitability of defeat and not wanting to surrender, the Serbian military leader Stefan Sindjelic fired at the gunpowder warehouse, thereby blowing up himself, the remnants of his people surrounded and the advancing Turks. After the retreat of the Serbian army, the Turkish Pasha ordered the construction of a tower and the installation on it of the skulls of the Serbs killed during the battle as a warning to anyone who would later want to oppose the Ottoman Empire. At the time the tower was built, 952 skulls were embedded in its walls. Now there are 58 of them left, including the skull of the selfless Serbian commander. In 1892, a chapel was built around the tower in memory of the victims. And in 1937, a monument to Sindjelic and a small bas-relief depicting the battle were erected in front of the entrance to the chapel. The Tower of Skulls has been declared a cultural monument of special importance and has been protected by the state since 1979.

Chegar Monument

In 1927, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Niš's independence from the Turks, a monument in the form of a tower was built on the site where the bloody battle on Mount Cegar took place. In 1938, a bronze bust of Stefan Sindjelic was placed in a semicircular niche on the monument.

Niš Fortress

On the right bank of the Nishava River stands a Turkish fortress more than two centuries old. Fortifications at this site were erected over two millennia. The fortress in Niš is one of the best preserved monuments of its kind in the Central Balkans. In plan, the fortress is a polygon with eight defensive platforms and four massive entrance towers. The 8-meter walls, the average thickness of which is 3 meters, stretch for more than two kilometers. The entire perimeter of the fortress was surrounded by a wide moat, part of which has survived to this day. On the territory of the fortress today there is a wonderful park, a great relief from the heat on summer days. And at the Istanbul Gate of the fortress (this is the main entrance) life is in full swing in the evenings: summer cafes open, music plays live music, residents and guests of the city are strolling.

Not far from the fortress, a chapel was built in memory of the victims of NATO bombing.

Median

An important archaeological site from the Roman era is located in the eastern suburbs of Niš. Mediana was once the luxurious residence of Constantine the Great. Excavations revealed a villa with a peristyle (a courtyard decorated with a covered colonnade), baths (Roman baths), a granary and a water tower.

Red Cross

Crveni Krst is the first concentration camp in Serbia, established shortly after the occupation in 1941 and operated until the liberation of Niš in 1944. It is believed that 30 thousand people passed through it. Unlike large camp complexes, there were no crematoria here and the bodies of the dead were covered with slaked lime. Now there is a museum here, you can walk around the barracks and look at the exhibition with photographs of former prisoners - victims of Nazi terror. In 1979, the camp was declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance.

Crafts Lane

Also known as Kotelshchik Lane is the old city center, built in the first half of the 18th century. The surviving buildings of the masters represent an example of architecture from the Ottoman period. Now the lane of craftsmen - wonderful place for a walk with numerous cafes and restaurants on both sides of the street.

Memorial Park Buban

The Buban memorial complex was erected in memory of more than 10,000 citizens of Serbia who were shot by the Nazis during the Second World War. A memorial path runs through the park; on the territory there are a granite bas-relief and three tall obelisks, symbolizing hands raised and clenched into fists that threaten the enemy.

The balneological resort Nishka Banya is located 10 km from the city center.

How to get to Nis

• By plane. 4 km north-west of the center of Niš is the airport of Constantine the Great - the second most important. international Airport Serbia. Buses from the airport run to the city every 15 minutes from early morning until midnight.
• By train. The railway station is located half an hour's walk east of central square Niche. Trains from Thessaloniki to Ljubljana via Belgrade, and from Istanbul to Vienna via Belgrade and Budapest stop here.
• By bus. All buses going from Belgrade to Greece or Macedonia call at Nis. The road from Belgrade will take 3 hours, but you need to make sure that the flight you are planning to take is “direct” and there will be no stops in all small towns along the way.
• By car. The E 75 highway passes through Nis.
• Bus ticket price from Belgrade to Nis.

Friends! If you have decided to go on an exciting trip for little money, I advise you not to look away out of habit South-East Asia, and remember about South-Eastern Europe with its chaotic color and picturesque simplicity. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, new countries with fresh borders, similar languages ​​and subtle characteristics were formed in the former space. When we shared our plans to go to Serbia with friends, many looked at us with alarm - had the war already ended there? Relax! You are unlikely to find a safer place in the world, it is not where you can be robbed in a second, or where on every corner they are trying to sell you an umbrella from Versace or a handbag from Gucci for three pennies. :)

By plane

With a transfer in Belgrade. Regular flights from Moscow to Belgrade fly daily 4-5 times a day, from St. Petersburg - twice a week: on Wednesday and Sunday. The flight lasts on average 2.5 hours. The main carriers are Aeroflot and Air Serbia. The cost of round trip tickets is approximately 15,000 rubles, in holiday period, for example, on New Year or May holidays, it will be 20-30 percent more expensive. Prices can be found.

Read below about how you can get from Belgrade to Nis.

By train

We spent one night in " Grand Hotel Nis" on the road to Greece. The hotel is located in the very center of the city, on Vozda Karadorda Street, two blocks from the Nišava River, next to the 7th of July Park and close to the synagogue and the office of the Niš Tourist Organization. Double room it cost us 65 EUR with breakfast. The staff was kind and thoughtful, treating us to drinks on the occasion of our arrival. The room was spacious, the hotel itself is modern. There is secure parking on site, which costs 10 EUR per day, but in the end they forgot to include this amount for us. included in the price:) Breakfast in the form buffet, which could easily pass for lunch, is included in the price.

Prenochishta

A more economical option is the so-called “prenochishta”, small hotels with all standard services for 15-20 EUR per day. For example, "prenočishte" "Chair" is located in the main Niš park on the territory of a large sports complex"Cair" is literally a 10 minute walk from the strict city center. Guests have the opportunity to use the swimming pools for free, of which there are as many as five located on the territory of the complex, this is very cool. In summer, there is a water park on the territory of the Cair sports complex. All rooms have their own bathroom and air conditioning, the rooms are small, modestly furnished, but the furniture and linens are new and fresh, the rooms have a flat screen TV and free wifi. "Prenočishte" also has its own free parking for guests. And all this pleasure - for 15 EUR per person, but without breakfast.

In general, it is quite easy to find accommodation in Niš; in the city itself there are a large number of hotels, motels, hostels for every taste and budget, as well as private apartments and villas, which are in no way inferior in quality to hotel accommodation and are rated very highly by visitors (you can see their prices). Most hotels and apartments are present in the database of major search services like , you can use these services to go to the official website of the selected hotel and book a room directly.

To the village on the mend!

If you want to improve your health in the Nishka Banya sanatorium (I talk about it in more detail in the section on attractions), the official one in Russian will help you, where you will find all the information about accommodation, food, treatment. Fans of fashionable ethnotourism can use tourist websites to contact the owners of private houses who rent out fully equipped rooms and apartments all year round in the immediate vicinity of the sanatoriums on a half board or half board basis. full board. Prices start from 4 EUR per person and above.

What are the prices for holidays?

Compared to Moscow and Western Europe, everything is very cheap; it’s not for nothing that foreigners love to come to Serbia on weekends. Here are the main expenses that you can include in your travel budget without saving much:

By the way, there is a useful website numbeo.com, which shows basic prices for groceries, travel, entertainment, etc.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Serbian Dinar, Din.

Main attractions. What to see

Many of Niš's attractions are located in the center and can be explored on foot. Some, like Mediana or Chele-kula, are located outside the city, and you need to go to them by public transport or taxi.

In the center of Niš at st. Leader Karađorđa 7 (ul. Vožda Karađorđa 7) near the Ambassador Hotel is located Tourist organization A niche where they will provide you with flyers and guides to the city and surrounding area, and also tell you where to stay, what to see, and how to book a tour. Here are organizations with information about attractions, upcoming events, public transport and, just in case, telephone numbers emergency services.

Minuses

Foreign guests of Niš are mainly forced to draw information from tourist guides. Most signs and information signs are written in Serbian and Cyrillic, without translation into foreign languages.

Take, for example, the First World War, which radically influenced the history of Europe and the world. The memorial plaque on the Niška Banovina building, where the world learned about the outbreak of the First World War, is written in Serbian Cyrillic. The same picture in archaeological museum Median. Not very convenient if you are an independent tourist and not a group one.

If you find yourself on the outskirts of Nis, you will definitely notice garbage along the side of the road and near the trash cans. Sometimes even piles of garbage and flying plastic bags.

Top 7

• Nishka tvrdjava
• Obrenovicheva street
• Kazandzhiysko sokache
• Narodni Museum
• Saborna church
• Park Chair
• Memorial Park Buban

Nishka tvrdjava

From here you can start exploring the city. The Niš fortress is, of course, more modest than the huge Belgrade Kalemegdan, but it is quite compact and well preserved. To the right of the main entrance there is a summer stage where concerts, festivals and film screenings, and souvenir shops take place.

Coming out of the fortress, you will see a bridge over the Nišava River and on the left a monument to the Roman Emperor Constantine, who was born in Niš and played a big role not only in the fate of the city, but also in world history and the history of Christianity.

Obrenovicheva street

Having crossed the bridge, you will find yourself in the center, where there are entire neighborhoods of “getting along” - pleasure, that is:) And you can enjoy life in its entirety from early morning until late at night, and sometimes until the next morning. Go to the side Obrenovichova Street (Obrenović evaulica), it is located in the very center of the city. This is the main pedestrian street of Niš with beautiful buildings, restaurants and pastry shops.

In general, the center of Niš is very nice, especially Obrenovicheva street and Kralj Milan square, where there are a lot of clubs and discos. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants at every step for every taste and budget, a huge shopping center "Mercator" and supermarkets "Tempo", "Metro", "Interex".

Kazandzhiysko sokache

From Obrenovichova Street you can turn into Kopitareva Street, where the Kazandžijsko sokače quarter is located, facing Republic Square (Trg Republike). This place is like a time machine that takes us to Nis at the end of the 19th century, during the Ottoman rule. At that time, there was a quarter of artisans here, and most of all there were workshops for making cauldrons (hence the name of the street). Today the workshops have turned into restaurants, cafes and bars, but the elusive atmosphere of the ancient Turkish quarter is still in the air.

Narodni Museum

In the center of Niš, in an old mansion on Nikola Pašića Street 59, there is the People's Museum (Narodni muzej). Although small in size, it has a rich exhibition with unique exhibits, some of which I will talk about in more detail in the “Museums” section.

Saborna church

There are six in Nis Orthodox churches, and if you don’t have a lot of time to get around everything, visit first the Cathedral Church (ul. Prijezdina, 7), the Church of Tsar Constantine and the Church of St. Panteleimon. There is also a mosque and a synagogue. Read more about churches in the “Churches and Temples” section.

Park Chair

Park Chair local residents called Bashta - that is, “garden”. The park is of impressive size and is decorated with tall poplars and powerful plane trees. On the territory of the park there is a large sports center with swimming pools and a water park (read about it in the “Beaches” section).

Memorial Park Buban

A huge beautiful forest park, from where the whole of Niš is at your fingertips. The park contains one of the largest burial sites of the former Yugoslavia from the Second World War. According to researchers, from 1941 to 1944, from 10,000 to 15,000 people were shot here. On a mountain in the middle of the forest, a monument to the victims of World War II in the form of three fists was erected.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The nearest sea coast is located from Nis at a distance of 425 km, in Greek Thessaloniki. If you miss the sea unbearably, I’m posting route map to the nearest sea cities: Greek Thessaloniki (Solun), Montenegrin Budva (Budva), Bulgarian Nessebar (Nesebar).

However, in Nis there are places to swim in hot weather.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

• Memorial Park Buban (Spomen-Park Bubaњ)- one of the largest burial sites in the former Yugoslavia from the Second World War. According to researchers, from 1941 to 1944, from 10,000 to 15,000 people were shot here.

Prices for visiting historical sites:

Mediana, Čele kula, Crveni krst – 1.2 EUR (150 RSD) - individual ticket for adults Archaeological Hall – 1 EUR (130 RSD). Children under 7 years old have free admission.

Parks

Tourist streets

Almost every city in the world has its own Arbat. in Nis it is Obrenovićeva ulica. Among the many old houses and cafes, your attention will undoubtedly be attracted by the house of the merchant Andronovich, a luxurious building built between the first and second world wars. Be sure to visit the “Turist” and “Tramvaj” confectioneries. In the first you can buy Belgian chocolate medallions with the profile of Tsar Constantine, and the second will charm you with its unusual setting.

From Obrenovicheva, be sure to turn into the old cobblestone street Kazanjijsko sokace, here you will feel the spirit of old Niš and buy souvenirs.

What to see in 1 day

• If you only have one day left, then start it with... a good breakfast! At the restaurant national cuisine"Stara Srbija" on Republic Square (Trg Republike 12) in the city center from 9 to 12 o'clock for only 1.2 EUR (150 RSD) you will be offered a choice of one of 10 breakfast options plus coffee and juice.
• Having cheered up and refreshed, go around the Nis fortress. This will take approximately 1-1.5 hours. At the back of the fortress there are souvenir shops where you can buy something as a souvenir.
• After leaving the fortress, take a walk to most beautiful building University of Nis. Then, crossing the bridge, you will be taken straight to Piazza Kralja Milano.
• From here begins the main pedestrian street of Niš - Obrenovicheva. At the intersection of Obrenovicheva and Nikola Pasic Street, turn right and go to the People's Museum. It's small, so you can finish it in half an hour.
• Then go back to the intersection with Obrenovicheva and visit Kazanjijsko sokace - the old artisans' quarter, which today has turned into a "pleasure street". There are cafes and restaurants at every turn - and it's time to have lunch!
• After lunch, head to Mediana, the residence of the Roman Emperor Constantine, born in Niš. (Please note that on Fridays and weekends the museum is open until 15:00, so it may be worth visiting before lunch).
• On the way back from Median, visit Chele-Kula and Chegar - the excursion along with the road will take 2 hours.
• You still have enough time to get to know the Niš Bathhouse. Why not take this opportunity to treat yourself to a spa treatment?! We set aside another 2 hours for this bliss.
• We return to the city around 20.00, just in time for dinner. Go to the restaurant "Tvrđava" or "Nišlijska mehana". Ask the waiter to serve you local “domache” wine!
• Are you looking forward to some nightly entertainment? What it will be - a tour of niche bars and pubs or a tour of nightclubs - it’s up to you! Talk to an experienced guide - they speak English fluently, and almost everyone speaks Russian quite well.

As the Serbs would say – “Uzivajte!”

What to see in the area

Unique nature is one of the main attractions of Niš and the surrounding area. Just 15 minutes from the city center you find yourself in a kingdom of dense forests, powerful mountain ranges, narrow canyons and natural springs. The main thing is comfortable clothes and shoes, and go ahead!

• Sichevachka klisura(14 km east of Nis on the way to Sofia) – guarded natural phenomenon, a 16 km long gorge through which the Nishava River flows, with relict flora and fauna. There are about 20 ancient churches and monasteries nearby, for example, the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1664 and the Monastery of St. Petka Iveritsa in the village of Ostrovitsa from the early 15th century. Also near Ostrovica there is one of the oldest hydroelectric power stations in Serbia, which has been operating since 1908 and is still in operation. The region is known for its beautiful vineyards.

• Elashnichka klisura(15 km from Niš and 3 km from Niške Bani) – a picturesque canyon, a special nature reserve 2 km long with waterfalls and rare flora and fauna, beautiful dolomite pillars, stone battlements and windows and the remains of Roman fortifications. Located between the villages of Yelashnitsa and Chuklenik, along the gorge there are several picnic areas with wooden tables and benches. One of them is at the exit of the canyon; opposite it there is a sports climbing base. There is an excellent ethno-restaurant in the village of Elashnitsa "Brka" with great home cooking! The road to Jelašnica klisura leads from Niš through Niška banya in the direction of the village of Jelašnica, where rooms and houses are rented out for tourists. You can also turn straight to Jelašnica from the road Niš - Pirot - Dimitrovgrad (E80). You can also get here by bus, which runs regularly from Niš to Jelašnica (45 minutes). Guides-instructors for the Jelashnica klisura: Daniel Stankovic, Milos Puletic - [email protected].

• Tseryansk Pechina(14 km from Niš) – a beautiful cave more than 6 km long, with huge halls filled with picturesque natural decorations in the form of bizarre figures, pillars and stalactites. The age of the cave is more than 2 million years, and it has not yet been fully explored. Details about how to get there, where to book an excursion, prices in the section - Extreme views sports.

• Along the way, at the exit from the city, there is the famous Ć ele-kulA- a tower of human skulls. Be sure to visit this place - an eerie, unforgettable experience!

Food. What to try

Nis - real paradise for gourmets! Local housewives and chefs have kept the secrets of preparing traditional Serbian and Balkan dishes, and you can enjoy authentic delicacies here for a very reasonable price.

At the top of the popular hit parade are pljeskavica, rostil and burek. Firstly, it’s tasty, secondly, it’s filling, and thirdly, it’s cheap. Opposite the bus station in the city center, where logically everything should be exorbitantly expensive, in the most ordinary stall you can buy the famous pljeskavica - a cutlet made of pure meat with onions, white cheese and optionally seasoned with hot pepper, weighing 200 grams. And this McDonald's competitor costs only 1 EUR (120 RSD)! All the food, including fast food, is very fresh and of excellent quality; you can eat it with confidence and not worry about your stomach. Maybe for the extra centimeters at the waist.)))

Be sure to try the pride of Niš - burek with cheese, spinach or meat, be sure to wash it down with thick yogurt, as well as the incomparable ajvar made from sweet peppers and eggplants, which is called the best vegetable caviar in the Balkans (remember the familiar phrase from your favorite comedy: “Overseas caviar, eggplant! "?)

When you go to a restaurant or kafana, do not refuse an aperitif in the form of a glass of rakia - Serbian fruit moonshine with an indescribable aroma and a warming, relaxing effect. Rakija here is prepared from fruits - plums, apples, quinces, apricots, grapes. It is interesting that Serbs, unlike Russians, drink alcohol at lower levels - gatherings usually begin with a “cup” of rakia and a cup of strong Turkish coffee with thick foam, and then move on to wine or beer. Rakia makes an excellent combination with the “Shopska” salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, generously sprinkled with white soft cheese, after which grilled lamb, pig or veal, or meat from under “sacha” - that is, in a clay pot - is placed on the table brazier.

• If you don't have much time, be sure to stop by the restaurant "Tri fenjera" near the bus station. There we tried unique veal tails and ribs and were imbued with the unique spirit of southern Serbia!

• In the famous kafana "Nishlijska mehana"(I think it’s called “Biser” now) try delicious grilled meat specialties or ancient Serbian dishes: ribs on kajmak (heavy cream), chicken envelopes, “wedding” cabbage, beans on “tavce” in a clay dish. All this goes well with quince brandy or “travaritsa” brandy, which contains more than 20 types of herbs.

• Across the road from the bus station near the fortress there is a pastry shop "Belgrade", where you can indulge in delicious cakes for 0.3 EUR (40-50 RSD or 20-30 RUB).
• One of our favorites is the pastry shop "Tram", a place with a long tradition and a unique interior in the style of an old tram on Obrenovichova Street.

• An excellent choice for romantics cafe "Sky", from where you can admire the view of the surrounding roofs and enjoy the sunset from the height of the 5th floor. The cafe has a closed part and a large terrace; there is even a telescope here, and in the evenings you can admire the moon and stars.

• And finally, a very special establishment - a hunting restaurant "Kod Šipe", where they prepare real game and other dishes from hare, wild pigs and roe deer. Located 14 km from Niš, in the town of Kamenički vis on the spurs of Svrlije mountain range(Svrljiška planina) at an altitude of 750-800 meters above sea level. From here you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nis and the surrounding area. The price tag will please you: for 10 euros you can have a hearty lunch for two, including brandy and coffee. Attention: payment is only in cash. The restaurant is open from 10 to 22 daily.

Address: Kamenicki vis, NisPhone: +381 18 652 111, +381 63 855 61 41

Holidays

• One of the main holidays in Niš and Serbia, as well as in Russia, is New Year. Serbs don't have New Year holidays, like ours, they rest for only 2 days - January 1st and 2nd. The New Year is celebrated traditionally: young people gather for main square listen to a concert and watch fireworks, families go to a restaurant (a cultural program with food and drinks will cost from 30 to 50 EUR per person) or gather at home with friends at the festive table.

• Much more than the New Year, the Serbs revere Christmas - “Božić”. There are many interesting traditions of preparing and celebrating Christmas that older generations try to pass on to younger ones. The necessary attributes are sold on every corner - oak branches and sets of straw, wheat grains and nuts, and in the evening people go to church for a solemn service, after which a huge bonfire is lit in the church yard, where everyone unanimously throws the oak branches they brought.

• Easter is also widely celebrated - “Vaskrs” (3-4 days of official holidays), “Ivandan” or in our opinion Ivan Kupala and others Orthodox holidays. Serbs are quite religious; many fast and go to church regularly.

• I’ll tell you about another holiday - the Glory of the city of Niš, which is celebrated in early June and is accompanied by various festivals, performances, historical reconstructions, costume performances and sports competitions. The glory of Niš opens a big manifestation – the Month of Tourism in Niš. Read about events and activities taking place during this time in the “When is the season” section.

Safety. What to watch out for

What distinguishes Nis, for example, from Belgrade is that there are no beggars or beggars on the streets, mostly of Roma origin. Otherwise, the city is absolutely safe, unless, of course, you actively run into trouble.

Perhaps the only danger that threatens you is overeating, everything is so tasty and cheap!

Things to do

First, relax! Eat and drink deliciously, walk around the city, go into nature, go to a water park in summer, skate in Chair Park in winter or ski in the nearby Kopaonik ski center.

Niš constantly hosts all kinds of national and international Olympiads and festivals, some of which I talk about in the section “When is the season. When is the best time to go.”

For those who are especially active, there are other entertainments:

Clubs and nightlife

Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of nightclubs, but night life The niche is not limited to clubs. A great alternative is musical evenings at the Niška Fortress, where live rock and jazz concerts take place and beer flows like a river! And it doesn’t matter at all whether you are walking along the central streets, sitting with a beer on the river bank or moving from club to club, incendiary music will accompany you everywhere!

Extreme Sports

If you are curious and have an adventurous spirit, Nis and its surroundings offer some incredible opportunities to compete with nature.

• Mountain biking fans can take part in the international mountain race "Constantine Cup". All information about the race is here: [email protected]. An application for participation can be submitted on the website of cycling clubs: Cycling club "Konstantin" - phone: +38169/212 32 34, e-mail: [email protected] tim Srbija - Phone: +38169 510 17 26, +38165 65 65 345, e-mail: [email protected]

• Adventurous tours to the Tseryanskaya Cave are organized by the “Tourist Organization Nisha” - phone + 381 18 505 689, e-mail: [email protected]. Speleo tours are also organized by the Nature Travel Office company. The cost of the tour with an instructor, transport to the place and necessary equipment is 15 EUR.

• Paragliding gives an incredible feeling of freedom and adrenaline. With an experienced instructor and mandatory reliable insurance, the risk in this sport is minimal. The best period for flights is from May to September, although it is possible to fly all year round. Paragliding club "Grunf" - phone: +38163 402 919 and +38164 11 40 248, web page: www.grunf.org, e-mail: [email protected]

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

What can an ordinary tourist buy in Niš as a good memory? Of course, you can get by with a bronze head of Tsar Constantine, a mug or a T-shirt with the Niš logo. I try to choose something authentic and at the same time practical, which will not just gather dust on the shelf, but every time evoke warm memories of southern capital Serbia.

• A handmade woven scarf like this, which you can buy at the market or in a souvenir shop, will be an excellent gift for your family or friends. It costs about 15 EUR.

How to get around the city

By public transport, taxi or on foot. Public transport(buses and minibuses) in Niš are quite convenient and run very often. If you have the Maps application installed on your phone, then you can navigate the area without any problems; if not, upon arrival, get a map of the city. Read about prices in the "Taxi" section.

Taxi. What features exist

There are many companies providing passenger transportation services in Niš. Prices are very affordable compared to Moscow or European cities and are the same for almost all carriers. On average, the tariff is as follows: start or landing - 0.7 EUR (80 RSD), then according to the meter 0.3 EUR (40-45 RSD) per 1 km in the city, 0.5 EUR (60 RSD) outside the city. A taxi ride from the airport to Nis will cost approximately 2.5 EUR (300 RSD). From personal experience, I will say that it is better to use trusted companies, and not to grab the first taxi driver you come across at the airport or train station, so that you do not get ripped off like a naive foreigner. Here are a couple of taxi service numbers to help you:

• Bros taxi - +38118 41 555 41, +38166 41 555 41 - mt:s call or SMS
• Eko taxi - +38118 309 700, +38165 330 9000 - mt:s (Viber), +38160 330 9000 - Vip (Viber).

The cars of these carriers have Wi-Fi.

Buses

Niš has urban, suburban and nightlife bus routes. The city and suburbs are divided into zones from 1st to 4th. The first zone covers almost the entire city, including the airfield, railway station and bus station, the monuments Chele Kula and Buban. Nishka Banya is the second zone, Elashnitsa is the third, and so on.

Tickets are sold by conductors at the entrance to the bus; a fiscal receipt is attached to the ticket. The price of a ticket for one trip is from 0.5 EUR in the 1st zone to 0.8 EUR in the 4th (60 - 100 RSD). The buses are quite comfortable. There are no benefits for pensioners in city transport.

The main bus station is located in the city center, next to the Niška fortress. From here there are daily buses to all cities in Serbia, as well as to Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. The easiest way to get to the bus station is by bus No. 34; this is a circular route covering the airfield, railway station and bus station.

At the bus station there is a kiosk, a pay phone, an ATM, several cafes and restaurants, exchange office and wardrobe. Here .

Transport rental

First, I’ll tell you how and how much to rent a car in Belgrade. You can rent a car either directly at the airport or in the city. Prices in rent-a-car salons start from 15 EUR/day. During the off-season (around October to May), most companies offer discounts of about 25%. Some agencies require a deposit of 100-300 euros, some work without a deposit (which is more convenient for me).

Attention: foreign drivers in Serbia need a national license, a vehicle registration certificate and international insurance, which can be purchased at any travel agency.

When searching for and renting a car, pay attention to the age: the car must be no older than 4 years. Be sure to carefully read the rental conditions, especially those related to insurance and financial participation in case of damage. Sometimes the rules differ from those in force in Russia and in Western Europe. It is best to give preference to an agency that offers CDW (COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER), that is, 100% coverage, without any hidden costs. And once again: carefully study the contract before you pay money!

There are also several companies offering cars for rent in Nis.

You can also find out rental prices.

Serbian drivers are not very disciplined, they like to change lanes, cut off and turn without any signal, so it is better to rely on your concentration and vigilance. It is recommended to refuel at NIS, Lukoil or other large gas stations. Diesel will be cheaper. In Nis, like other cities in Serbia, it is quite difficult to find parking.

Nis - holidays with children

If you are planning to visit Nis with children, this is also not a problem.

• Food. Children don’t like to wait, you can quickly eat a gyros at Goldy’s (Kopitareva, 25) or pizza, which children adore, at the fast food restaurant Caribic on Milan’s Kralj Square, or run for pancakes at one of the cafes in the center.

• Now go to the water park in the sports center in Chair Park - the children will be delighted! (Read more in the "Beaches" section). Chaire Park has a ton of family entertainment: tennis, table tennis, bowling, in winter - skating rink.

For dinner you can go to the Pleasure Club restaurant (Kopitareva, 7), where there is an extensive menu, good cuisine, very clean and decent service. Keep in mind that 99% of establishments in Serbia allow smoking inside, so if you don't smoke, ask for a table in a non-smoking area.

• For entertainment, there is also an equestrian club in Niš; you can rent a bicycle at Planetbike (Sindjelicev Trg 28), as far as I remember, for 2 EUR (200 RSD) for 3 hours.

• If children are accustomed to walking, you can safely go to nature - Boyanine Vode, Elashnichka Klisura, Nishka Banya (read about them in the corresponding section). This will be a real adventure!
• Accommodation. 3-4 star hotels usually have everything you need for a comfortable stay with babies and older children, but if the kids are already older, apartments with a kitchen are also suitable. As a rule, children under 3 years old stay for free; children under 12-14 years old receive discounts of up to 70%.

Ski holiday

In Serbia there are two main ski center:

• Stara Planina;
• Kopaonik.

Both are 70 km away from Nis. There is a shuttle to both, it’s better to ask about this Tourist center Niche.

Stara Planina

• On Stara Planina there is a mini-hotel "Sunce" with apartments costing from 12 to 20 EUR per person per day, with all amenities, a kitchenette and a shared kitchen on the ground floor.

• There is also a modern 4-star hotel "Stara Planina Resort", where average price in season – 50 EUR per person per day. Price includes food All inclusive Light, use Wellness&Spa center, excursions, animation for children and everything necessary for babies - a crib, linen, bottle warmer, bath, etc.

Children under 3 years old stay free of charge, from 3 to 6 years old - 70% discount, from 6 to 15 years old - 50% discount.

Kopaonik

The most popular and modern ski resort in Serbia, which is also known abroad. Cheaper than many European analogues. Located on the territory of the National natural park- the natural beauty around is literally breathtaking!

Kopaonik is a whole city with many hotels, villas, apartments, restaurants, cafes, sports centers, post office and even its own bus running between the main sites, and, of course, ski slopes- There are about 30 of them of varying degrees of difficulty. You will be taken to a website dedicated to Kopaonik with complete information, ranging from accommodation options, information about schools, instructors, ski services, ski pass prices, guides and virtual tours to a description of the flora and fauna and an introduction to the nature reserve, as well as proposals for the purchase of real estate.

It is pleasant to relax here both in winter and in summer, only prices in the low season are 30 percent lower.

Usually I do without the help of travel agencies, booking tickets, hotels and related services on official websites myself.

Everything you need for skiing can be rented on site or in Nis. For example, in the Planet Bike store - for a day, three days or a week. Prices and assortment can be viewed.

Prices

Here is a certain price minimum that you reach during the season:

• Accommodation in apartments in the villages Brzeće and Vikend naselje (a little distant from the resort center, but connected by a lift to the main routes) + ski pass + meals - 30-40 EUR per day per person.

• The average ski pass per day is 20 EUR.

• Juice, local beer, mulled wine, coffee or tea - 1.2 - 2 EUR.

• Food. My advice is the ethno-restaurant "Konaci". Pizza - 5 EUR (600 RSD), grilled meat - 5.5 EUR (700 RSD), soups - 2 EUR (250 RSD), pancakes - 1.5 - 2.5 EUR (200-300 RSD), beer and mulled wine - 1.5 - 2 EUR (200-250 RSD), cappuccino - 1.3 EUR (150 RSD). The portions are large, so if you are not particularly gluttonous, you can order half a portion, this is customary. Thus, a full lunch or dinner will cost you 6.5-8 EUR (800-1000 RSD).

Ski passes

Prices for ski passes depend on the period of stay and other details, they are indicated on the websites. You can purchase a ski pass in advance at a travel agency in Russia, at any travel agency in Niš, or directly on the spot.

Trails

Kopaonik is the largest ski resort in southeastern Europe. It includes more than 60 km of ski slopes, 6 FIS slopes for slalom and giant slalom and 24 lifts with a total capacity of 33,000 tourists per hour.

As for the slopes, there are slides for both “dummies” and “pros”: 15 “light” category slopes, 10 medium and 7 “black” slopes.

The lifts on all slopes are mostly four-seater and operate from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but weather adjustments are possible.

For romantics, there is a daily night descent in front of the Konaci apartments (Lift No. 3). In addition to ski trails, there are 12 km of cross-country ski trails in the surrounding area.

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Sights of Niš. The most important and interesting sights of Niš - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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the very best

Tower of Skulls Chele-Kula

Nis, Boulevard Dr. Zoran Cinčić

This scary attraction is located in the eastern part of Nis. It is a tower made mostly of human skulls. In 1809, at the Battle of Čegare, during the First Serbian Uprising against the Turks, the revolutionaries were attacked by Turkish troops.

Nis may seem like a quiet and boring city. But this is only at first glance. In fact, Nis turns out to be filled to the brim with attractions, they are just not as flashy and pretentious as the mass tourist often expects.

One of unique places in the eastern part of the city - Median. This is an ancient Roman residence built by Emperor Constantine the Great. In the 4th century, it amazed the imagination with its splendor and luxury: there were huge pools for wine and olive oil, thermal baths, water tower for them and for fountains. The remains of the imperial villa with luxurious columns, which Constantine often visited, can be seen here today. Particularly impressive are the beautiful mosaic floors throughout.

The Tower of Skulls - Chele-Kula - is located near the villa. This is a terrible and impressive sight: it was once built by the Turks, who built into the structure more than 950 skulls of Serbian rebels who were defeated in the battle on Cegar Hill. Over the course of more than two centuries, many skulls have fallen out, pulled out by relatives of the dead for a dignified burial or plundered by souvenir hunters, but the remaining 50-odd are impressive. And at the site of the battle today there is a memorial.

The Tower of Skulls - Chele Kula - is a terrible and impressive sight: it was once built by the Turks, incorporating more than 950 skulls of Serbian rebels into the structure.

An equally impressive landmark is located in the same part of the city - if, of course, you can call a concentration camp a landmark. The Red Cross camp was set up here by the Nazis in 1941, and until 1944 about 35 thousand prisoners passed through it. According to documentary evidence, approximately 12 thousand of them were killed in the town of Buban. Today the camp has been turned into a museum, and a memorial park has been opened in Bubani, about 2 km from it. The park's famous and dramatic monument is three stone obelisks in the shape of huge clenched fists raised to the sky.

The Nis Fortress on the river bank is very interesting. First of all, it is interesting because it is considered one of the largest and best preserved in the Central Balkans. Secondly, the fact that if all the fortress gates were restored today, the fortification would be completely completed and functional, as before. So far this has not happened, and on the territory of the fortress there is a park, a weather station, several ancient Turkish buildings, and in the summer they hold outdoor events.

For a long time Niš was forced to be under the influence of Bulgarian and Turkish cultures, and this was reflected in local cuisine. So it’s worth ordering bureki and Shopska salad in the local restaurants.

Of great importance for the Serbs is the building of the military parliament - the birthplace of Yugoslavia. The building of the House of Youth restaurant was built in 1890. At first it was occupied by the Boulevard restaurant. Military General Staff bought the building in 1903 and turned it into the Officers' House, which remained here until 1941. At the beginning of the First World War, all public attention was focused on this house as the center political life Serbia. In 1914, a military meeting of the National Assembly was held here, at which the Nis Declaration was prepared, which stated that the country would fight for freedom and unification of the Balkan peoples. And in 1915 the Yugoslav Congress took place here.

While walking around the city, don’t miss Mednikov Alley. It was built in the 18th century, and then there were many workshops and shops selling handicrafts. Today, the street with Turkish houses, protected by the state, is an island of comfort, filled with cafes, plants in tubs and the same benches.

Once in Nis, you should definitely explore its surroundings, at least the immediate ones. For example, this is the Niš Bathhouse, thermal springs, located 5 km from the city. Another interesting place is Gornji Mateževac, a traditional village on a hillside just two kilometers from Niš. In Matezhevac there is a unique Church of the Holy Trinity (or Latin Church), built in the 11th century. And in the town of Gornji Adrovac near Niš there is the so-called Vronsky Mausoleum. In fact, this is the Church of the Holy Trinity built in the 19th century, but it was erected in memory of Nikolai Raevsky, whom L. Tolstoy brought out in his “Anna Karenina” under the name of Vronsky.

Being the capital of the administrative region of Nišava and the third largest city in the country after Belgrade and. It also has the status of economic, industrial and cultural center state, and also has a number of historical attractions dating back to ancient times. Like other cities of the former Yugoslavia, Niš was heavily damaged during NATO bombing in 1999, but by now it has almost regained its former appearance.

Peculiarities

The capital of the region has centuries-old history, for centuries considered the gateway between East and West. It was here that Constantine the Great was born, who founded Constantinople and became the first Christian emperor in the history of Rome. Niš is attractive with beautiful architectural buildings, has a successful geographical location and has a well-established infrastructure. Today it has a reputation as a large industrial and trading city, of great economic and strategic importance for the entire south-eastern Serbia. It is home to many educational institutions, museums, theaters and other cultural organizations. In addition, there are a fair number of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, so staying in the city is unlikely to seem boring or monotonous.

general information

The territory of Niš covers an area of ​​several hundred square meters. km, with a population of over 300,000 people. The ethnic composition is represented by Serbs, Gypsies, Montenegrins, Bulgarians, Yugoslavs and Croats. Religious preferences presuppose the coexistence of Orthodox Christians, Muslims and Catholics. Local time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer time of the year. Telephone code+(381) 18. Official website www.ni.rs.

A brief excursion into history

According to researchers, people lived in these places back in the Paleolithic era, as evidenced by unique finds stored in National Museum Niche. Shortly before the advent of our era, the settlement that existed here was captured by the Romans, during whose reign the city was called Nais. After the fall of the empire, it was repeatedly attacked by barbarians and was constantly at the mercy of various nationalities. In 1448, Niš was captured by the Ottomans and ruled it for 245 years. World and internal wars in the 20th century had a significant impact on the economic well-being of the city, but, nevertheless, it preserved its cultural and historical heritage, representing considerable interest for foreign guests coming to the capital of Nishava.

Climate

The region has a temperate continental climate. in winter average temperature air temperature is just below 0 degrees, and in summer it rises to +21. Precipitation falls throughout the year, but the total amount is not so great. The best time The best time to visit these places is the summer months.

How to get there

The country's second most important international airport is located just 4 kilometers from the central part of the city. Also in Nis there is railroad station, connecting the regional capital with, and other European cities. The bus network is no less diverse, providing routes in almost all directions.

Transport

Buses and minibuses are popular within the city limits.

Attractions and entertainment

Among the main historical sites of Niš are the monasteries of the Holy Mother of God, the Hilandarski Metoh church, as well as the churches of St. Sava, St. Paraskeva of Iveron and a number of other religious monuments of the past included in the monastery complex. On the right bank of the Nishava River there is a majestic Turkish fortress, whose age exceeds 200 years. Today, its territory has a magnificent park area, ideal for walking. At the main entrance there is summer cafe and live music plays, which creates the appropriate ambiance. Another outstanding monument of past years in these places is the gloomy tower of skulls of Čele Kula, at the base of which are laid the skulls of Serbs who died in the battle with the Ottomans on Mount Cegar in the First Uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The order for its construction was given by the Turkish Pasha, who thus decided to remind the Serbs of the power of the Turks and intimidate them. Initially, more than 900 skulls were embedded in it, but now less than 60 remain. In 1892, a chapel was built around the tower to perpetuate the memory of the victims. Since 1979, the building has the status of a cultural monument and is protected by the state.

The park is a good place for walking in the city. memorial Complex Buban, dedicated to the victims of the Nazis during the Second World War. You can also get a lot of pleasant impressions by walking along Kotelshchik Lane, which is the old center with buildings from the Ottoman Empire period. In the vicinity of Niš, it is worth visiting the archaeological site of Mediana, and the first concentration camp in Serbia, Crveni Krest, where now there is a museum in memory of the victims of the Nazis.

Kitchen

In the culinary establishments of the city you can try a variety of dishes for every taste, from all kinds of meat to vegetable salads and seafood. Excellent Balkan wines are recommended for drinks.

Shopping

The shops, markets and shopping centers of the provincial capital offer a wide range of goods for every taste.

Niche is extremely interesting city and meets the expectations of most tourists. It has unique attractions, developed infrastructure and rich historical heritage, invariably giving its guests a lot of vivid impressions and positive emotions.

Useful information for tourists about Nis in Serbia - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Niš is a Serbian city on the Nišava River, which arose on the ruins of a Celtic settlement. The convergence of numerous trade routes at the location of this settlement gave it a strategic attractiveness, which neighboring peoples sought to take advantage of. Which is understandable - roads to Turkey and Greece, stretching from Central Europe, invariably chose Nisha as a transit point.

In the successive eras that followed, the city was possessed for varying periods of time by the Dardanians and Thracians, who were replaced by the Illyrians, Celts, and Romans, who ceded the settlement to the Huns and Avars. The latter were ousted by the Byzantines, Serbs, and Bulgarians. For quite a long time, Niš endured Turkish rule, interspersed with short-term Austrian and Hungarian occupations.

Due to the endless leapfrog of owners, the name of the city, derived from the name of the Nishava River flowing through it, underwent numerous linguistic perturbations. Called Naissa by the Celts, it was renamed several times. By the Romans - in Naissus, by the Byzantines - in Ναισσός/Nysos, by the Slavs - in Nis, by the Turks - in Niş, by the Germans - in Nissa.

The year 1878 became a landmark year for Niš. Turkish rule plunged into the annals of the dark past, returning locality Serbian name. From now on, only twice was the city's Serbian identity questioned - during the world wars.

The antiquity of origin and a turbulent history, replete with foreign presence, have left numerous material marks in the history of Niš. The most ancient ones include the ruins of a Roman palace, a Byzantine basilica, a baptistery, and some other objects. Subsequent times were imprinted in the city's history by a number of buildings in the neoclassical style.

An idea of ​​the working life of bygone centuries is given by the Craftsmen's Lane, which is shown to tourists by the ancient center of Niš. Formed at the dawn of the 18th century, the modest ensemble was sometimes called Kotelshchik Lane, preserving the architectural features of the workshop quarters. Our time has given the working street a somewhat carefree style, filling it with restaurants and cozy cafes.

Chele Kula, the Tower of Skulls known since 1809, makes a different impression. Realizing the inevitability of defeat of the First Serbian Uprising, rebel leader Stefan Sindjelic, avoiding capture, blew up a gunpowder warehouse with a targeted shot. The firestorm laid to rest in the resulting mass grave the military leader himself, the remnants of his detachment, and the advanced units of the advancing Turks. By order of the Turkish Pasha, enraged by the Serbian disobedience, 952 skulls of the dead rebels were built into the walls of the tower erected at the site of the battle.

This is a bloody thread in the weave historical facts didn't break off. The year 1941 for Niš was marked by the construction of a concentration camp with the cynical name “Crveni Krst” (translated as “Red Cross”), which allowed 30,000 people – partisans, gypsies, Jews – to pass through its barracks before the liberation year of 1944. “Modest” by Hitler’s standards, the concentration camp did not have a crematorium - the bodies of prisoners were simply covered with slaked lime.