Jagodina is the center of cultural tourism in Serbia. In addition to the well-known museum of naive art and the native museum in the town on Belica river, there are also many new destinations that are unique in Serbia, such as the museum of wax figures. In addition to cultural tourism, Jagodina is also recognized as a center of religious tourism because in the city and its surroundings you can see a large number of important churches and monasteries such as Jošanica, the Temple of St. Peter and Paul… One of the newest pearls of cultural tourism in Serbia is Kočin Hrast – a place that combines history, culture and the beautiful nature of central Serbia.
Native Museum in Jagodina – In the territory that today includes the town of Jagodina, life flowed even in prehistoric times, as evidenced by many archaeological finds kept in the Native Museum. The native museum has grown into a significant cultural institution in the city and beyond, which collects tens of thousands of valuable objects of natural history, archeology, history, ethnology and art. Among the exhibits, rare prehistoric fossils, archaeological finds from the medieval period, but also materials from the First Serbian Glass Factory, collections of numismatics and decorations, old and rare books stand out. The native museum offers tourists a unique opportunity to learn about the centuries-old life and work in these areas in one place.
Museum of Naive and Marginal Art – A special place in the cultural milieu of Jagodina and on the list of cultural monuments
occupied by the Naive Museum. The Museum of the Naive has become the bearer of the preservation and affirmation of the Naive painters, not only from this area, but also from the whole of Europe, and more recently the world. The Museum’s permanent exhibition, many monographs, catalogs, a large number of exhibitions in the country and abroad will remain permanent and valuable testimonies of the artistic heritage of Jagodina. Among the well-known names in the Museum, Janko Brašić, the founder of the Oparić naive school, Josip and Ivan Generalić, Ivan Rabuzin, Josip Lacković, many painters of the Kovačić naive school exhibited their works. arts and many others. In addition to the Gallery and the Museum of Naive Art, there are several private galleries in Jagodina that give a special stamp to the cultural creativity of the city.
Museum of wax figures – In the most beautiful part of Jagodina, within the tourist-sports-entertainment complex Potok Đurđevo brdo, on April 28, 2008, the first and only museum of wax figures in Serbia, and the sixth in Europe, was opened. The museum of wax figures in Jagodina has over 30 exhibits, from history, church, politics, science, to culture and sports, and is a real primer on history. In its offer, the Museum also has a variety of souvenirs, which will remind you of your visit to the city of Jagodina and this interesting institution.
The tourist complex “Kočin hrast” is the newest pearl of the tourist offer in Jagodina. It is located next to Velika Morava, just six kilometers from the city, near the highway. A tourist boat, more precisely a catamaran with two levels and 20 seats, is intended for navigation along the Velika Morava. Koča’s oak tree is 300 years old, and about two hectares of space next to the tree under which Captain Koča led soldiers to liberate Serbia from the Ottomans in 1788 has great historical significance. Within the complex, a memorial fountain was erected, on which a brief history of this region is written. Within the Kočin Hrast complex there is also a restaurant, a stone pier for tourist boats and walking along the river, hiking trails, an amphitheater for holding cultural and entertainment events, a sports field, a children’s playground with furniture, and summer houses with terraces.
Jošanica Monastery – is located 10 kilometers west of Jagodina near the village of Prnjavora, on a beautiful and flat place between Čukare hill and Ravni gaj at the foot of Crni Vrh. This area used to be under forest, but now it is a very tame area. The Jošanica monastery temple is dedicated to St. father Nikolaj, and the national assembly gathered about Cveti, the Great Lady and “Young St. Nicholas”. Next to this monastery flows the river Jošanica, which gave it its name. Folk tradition says that in ancient times, a hermit named Joša lived in a cave under Šarenik hill (the cave still exists today), after whom not only the monastery but also the river are named. It is not known exactly when Jošanica was built. According to tradition, Jošanica belongs to the time of Prince Lazar. According to popular legend, Prince Lazar built Jošanica in order to marry Princess Milica in it, according to another, to test himself in it, and he got married in Ravanica. Today’s temple was rebuilt in 1786 after major damage with some later additions. At the same time, it is the first written information about the Jošanica monastery.
You can read more about cultural tourism in Jagodina and all destinations in the new free brochure:
