In Toplica District, travel interests range from spa resorts and landscapes to archaeology and religious architecture. The name Toplica is associated with its large number of warm mineral springs and the Prolom, Lukovska and Kuršumlijska spas. There are also cultural sites from different periods: a prehistoric archaeological site, medieval churches and a monastery. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: natural features, history, events or an activity that depends on snow. This way, you can search for a hotel based on the themes that matter to your trip.
Spa Resorts and Landscapes
The Kopaonik mountain range forms the western mountain boundary of Toplica. Prolom Banja lies on the southern slopes of Mount Sokolovica, in a former volcanic mountain area. These two descriptions refer to different scales: Kopaonik marks the regional mountain boundary, while Sokolovica is the landscape in which Prolom Banja is located. In the local area, the Lukovska is considered the Toplica’s most important tributary for tourism.
Prolom Banja is connected by an 11-kilometre paved road to the Niš–Priština highway and the Niš–Kuršumlija–Kosovo Polje–Peć railway line via Rudare. Another natural highlight is Đavolja Varoš: this erosion monument comprises more than 200 stone pyramids. You can reach the viewpoint on foot via a route of about 900 metres; check access information before your trip. Đavolja Varoš was submitted for inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative List in 2002. This status is not the same as World Heritage inscription.
Archaeology and Religious Buildings
The archaeological site of Pločnik has a rich cultural layer and evidence of continuous settlement since the beginnings of the Vinča culture. Pločnik is also known in European archaeology for its important metallurgical finds. The Pločnik Archaeological Park recreates a small Neolithic settlement with replicas of five houses. As the park is currently being reconstructed, check access before your visit.
In Prokuplje, the Church of Saint Procopius stands at the foot of Hisar Hill. Built at the end of the 9th or beginning of the 10th century, it is considered the oldest religious building in Serbia after the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Ras. The Latin Church in Prokuplje is a single-nave building dating from 1340 to 1360.
The Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Kuršumlija was founded by Grand Župan Stefan Nemanja and dates to the seventh decade of the 12th century. Fragments of frescoes from the first half of the 13th century are preserved in the chapel of the south tower. The Roman name AQUARUM BASIANARUM is also recorded at Kuršumlijska Banja. The construction dates and historical connections offer different ways to focus on religious architecture and history.
Art, a City Celebration and the Wine Route
The “Boža Ilić” Art Colony has been in existence since 1998 and has had an international character since 2004; it continues to this day. The traditional city celebration in honour of Saint Procopius in Prokuplje is another cultural highlight. Its multi-day programme includes liturgy, processions, sporting activities, concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events. Programme details can vary from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around the celebration, check the dates for the relevant year.
The Toplica Wine Route passes through landscapes of vineyards, history and native grape varieties. Prokupac and Chardonnay are highlighted along the route. This offers a chance to look beyond buildings and archaeological sites to wine and the regional landscape.
Activities with Specific Conditions
There is a small ski lift and a ski slope near Lukovska Banja. When there is sufficient snow cover, recreational skiing is possible there. Unlike the buildings described above, this activity depends on a specific condition. If skiing is important to your travel plans, take the snow cover into account; if you want to visit the Pločnik Archaeological Park or the viewpoint at Đavolja Varoš, check the relevant access information beforehand.
These themes offer different points of interest without prescribing a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Kursumlijska Banja, Barbatovac, Kuršumlija, Lukovska Banja, Prolom Banja, Prokuplje, Blace, Merdare, Lukovo.
For the broader travel overview: Central Serbia.
