Niš and Devil's Town

Up for a haunted wedding?

The southeast part of Serbia was always known as a region that is full of mysteries and interesting stories. You will be introduced to some of them and who knows, maybe we will create a new story ourselves.

City of Niš

Our first destination is the city of Niš, many people call it a city on a crossroad, and for a good reason. Positioned on the river Nišava banks, in a spacious and fertile valley, Niš was destined to become a significant place on the Balkans since the first centuries of its existence. With such strategic advantages, Niš grew during the centuries as a significant military, economic, cultural, and religious center of the people who inhabited it and states that owned it (Celts, Romans, Byzantines, medieval Serbia, Ottoman Empire, and modern Serbian state).

Niš is the birthplace of Constantine the Great, one of the most important Roman emperors who legalized Christianity throughout the empire. The fortress that is surrounded by the Nišava River is a good example of Ottoman fortification architecture. Another side of the coin is the Skull Tower and monument of the Battle of Čegar which shows how Serbs fought for liberty and freedom against Ottomans and the story of courage and sacrifice. Liberation from various occupators continues in memorial park Bubanj and Red Cross concentration camp – places that whisper the stories from World War II.

In the center of the city, there is one old Caldron street that has a lot of craft workshops and in it, you can see what is the true way to drink Balkan coffee and you will learn about the „institution“ of merak. Eat burek in a city where burek was originally made in the 16th century, our suggestion is quarter with meat.

Devil’s town

After the bustle of the city, we will go to nature, and we will visit the infamous Devil’s Town. It is a natural phenomenon with 202 earth figures in specific forms of relief which appear rather attractive, and two springs of extremely acidic water with high mineralization.

The natural surroundings of the soil figures, seeming very harsh are almost mystical, and in the wider area picturesque and tame, the remains of a settlement, the old church, and a few interesting mining groves, only add to the uniqueness of this place. Legend says that in that place there was going to be a wedding of brother and sister that didn’t know they were related and it was orchestrated by the Devil himself. In order to stop the incest, God made all the wedding guests into stone and they still stand today to show the power of God in the form of earth figures.

The entire valley does feel eerie but there is nothing to be afraid of, it is ’’just’’ a natural phenomenon and it will leave you intrigued and happy that you visited something unique.

Word of advice: expect light trekking around Devil’s Town, so bring appropriate shoes.