This hiking trail goes trough natural and cultural heritage of the Fruška gora National Park.
Fruška Gora is a mountain range located in the southwestern part of Vojvodina, in northern Serbia, between the Danube and Sava rivers. Due to its natural, cultural and historical significance, it was declared a national park in 1960 and is the oldest in Serbia. Although there are only a few peaks higher than 500 meters (the highest peak, Crveni Čot at 539 meters), it represents a dominant geomorphological complex in the mostly lowland and monotonous landscape of the Vojvodina region. In addition to its geomorphological significance, this mountain represents the largest formation of geological and pedological diversity in the Pannonian area of Serbia. In the west-east direction, it has a length of about 80 km and covers approximately an area of 255 km². The lower parts of this mountain are characterized by meadows, wheat fields and vineyards, while the higher parts are covered with dense deciduous forests of linden, hornbeam, oak, maple and other trees. It is one of the largest areas under linden forests in Europe, known for its hiking trails. Fruška Gora is also called The Holy Mountain or Serbian Athos, because in the period from the 15th to the 18th century, 35 Serbian Orthodox monasteries were built, of which 16 are preserved today
Some of the stoping points are shown here.
In Vrdnik, a well-known spa center on the southern slopes of Fruška Gora, there is also a monastery with the same name (Vrdnik). This is the only monastery at Fruška Gora that is located in a populated place. It is believed to have been erected during the 16th century. Little was known about it until it was settled by the monks of the Ravanica monastery fleeing before the Turks during the Great Migration of the Serbs. They built the church and dedicated it to the Ascension of Christ, and since then this monastery has been called Mala (Small) Ravanica.
This women’s monastery is located at the foot of the northern part of Fruška Gora, right next to the Rakovački spring, and right next to the main road that leads through Rakovac. It is dedicated to St. Cosmas and Damian, and according to tradition, it was built by Raka, chamberlain of Despot Jovan Branković, at the end of the 15th century at the place where he killed a deer. As the monastery has been destroyed and plundered several times throughout its history by the Turks, Austro-Hungarians and Germans, so has the architecture of the monastery changed.
It is believed that Vrdnička tower was built in roman times, as one of the fortifications that served to protect Srem and the city of Sirmium. The aim of this defensive line was to protect the territory of the Roman Empire from tribes coming from the north, across the Danube. It is assumed that the Vrdnička tower was the work of a Roman emperor named Probus (or Prob), who ruled from 274 to 282 AD. During the rule of this emperor, numerous irrigation channels were dug in the territory of Srem, and it is believed that in 280 he brought vines from Italy, and thus initiated vine growing on Fruška Gora.
On the highest parts of Fruška Gora there are numerous excursion sites that with the first days of spring until the beginning of colder autumn days become destinations for many nature lovers. One of these is the Zmajevac picnic area, which offers one of the most beautiful views of Srem, especially in the evening when street lights begin to be lit in nearby places. This resort is equipped with numerous wooden benches and tables, some of which are covered as real summer houses. There are also walled fireboxes that make it easier to prepare barbecue.
Quarry Rakovac was founded in 1937 when the exploitation of trachite – stone of eruptive origin began. The largest volume of excavations was achieved in the 1970s and after more than 70 years of exploitation, the lifespan of the mines is coming to an end. This site is also known as the Kišnjeva glava quarry.
Beautiful landscapes stretch on the way to this cultural property. This very interesting hermitage is embedded in the soft limestone rock, which is surrounded by dense forest. Its remote location, away from any settlement lead to it being preserved in a very extraordinary state. This is the only hermitage in Vojvodina and it is a protected cultural monument. It was built by the monks of Rakovica Monastery in the 18th century. It is known that it has been visited by many church dignitaries, which gives it an exceptional cultural and historical value.
The old quarry Beli Majdan, or as it is also called Rakovačka cave, is located in Rakovac. The hall is about four meters high, and the ceiling is held by stone pillars. It was created by excavation of stone in historic times, most likely for the needs of the nearby Monastery Rakovac. The mine was closed in the 1930s. There are also stairs carved in stone, so you can visit all the chambers in the interior. The dimensions of the entire complex is impressive and unique to the area of Fruška Gora.