Explore Trstenik through two walking and cycling routes of different lengths, its distinctive bridge history, and cultural sites throughout the town. The Trail of Princess Milica is 15 kilometres long; it takes about five hours on foot or about two hours by bicycle. The Old Crafts Trail covers 25 kilometres and takes about eight hours on foot or four hours by bicycle. If you are looking for a hotel in Trstenik, these differences offer a practical guide to how much time you may want to set aside for outdoor activities; the historic sights provide another focus.
Two Routes, Two Time Budgets
The Trail of Princess Milica starts in Trstenik and connects several monuments and historic sites in the surrounding area. In addition to walking, mountaineering, and cycling, it is suitable for walking dogs and fishing; gathering herbs, mushrooms, and wild fruit, as well as cultural and historical activities, are also part of the experience. The combination of outdoor activity and historic stops gives this route a different character from a trail that simply passes through the countryside.
The Old Crafts Trail runs through the valleys of the Popina and Bršljanica rivers. Its focus is on stories about watermills, the art of working sandstone, authentic lime kilns, and handmade scarves. At 25 kilometres, with approximate times of eight hours on foot or four hours by bicycle, it takes longer than the Trail of Princess Milica. To compare the routes, consider both the distance and their respective focuses: historic sites and a range of activities on one route, and craft traditions in the river valleys on the other.
Townscape and Bridge History
At the centre of Trstenik stands a four-metre-high monument to Princess Milica: a bronze statue on a pedestal. The old town centre, which is partly preserved, dates mostly from the period after the First World War. The House of Petar Katić is a merchant's house in the historic centre. The Church of the Holy Trinity is also in the centre. It was not built in the Morava style and served as a model for builders at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first iron bridge over the West Morava was built in 1899. After the earlier bridge was destroyed in 1999, a new iron bridge was built in Trstenik in 2000. A monument to the soldiers who fell in the Second World War stands in a park near the Old Bridge, on the right bank of the West Morava. The Trstenik Theatre has had a stage presence for almost a hundred years.
Summer Activities and Events
The sports centre is near the Morava and includes a sports hall, outdoor swimming pools, and sports grounds. The outdoor pool complex has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, three children's pools, and several water slides. In summer, the sports centre organises a swimming school, water games, concerts, and events for children. If a particular activity is important to your plans, check the programme in advance.
The “Trstenik on the Morava” event traditionally includes a swimming marathon and fishing competitions. The programme also features bridge-to-water jumps and fish soup cooked on the beach. Nearby, Jefimijini Dani takes place at Ljubostinja Monastery. The programme includes poetry, a women's art colony, and music. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates before making your plans.
The wider regional context adds another theme: Trstenik has an important place on Serbia's wine route, thanks to its centuries-old winemaking history, extensive vineyard and fruit-growing areas, and local wineries. This adds a look at wine and fruit growing in the surrounding area to the cultural and route-related themes.
Planning Your Journey and Accommodation
Trstenik is located next to the Morava Corridor motorway. From Belgrade, take the Belgrade–Niš motorway (E-75), then continue along the Morava Corridor motorway (A5) to the Trstenik exit. When choosing a hotel, you can plan your stay around whether you are most interested in the historic sites in town, one of the two routes, or the seasonal leisure programme. The approximate walking and cycling times can help you balance outdoor activities with your other interests for the trip.
Discover more destinations: Ribarska Banja, Aleksandrovac, Brzeće, Brus, Jablanica, Kruševac
See the wider travel overview: Rasina District.
