In the rolling hills of Central Serbia sits the idyllic spa town of Vrnjačka Banja, harmoniously balanced in its beautiful natural surroundings.
Come to relax in waters that have been known for their curative properties since Roman times, where in the 19th century Prince Milos built a spa to rival the greatest spas in Europe, naturally followed by the aristocratic class building their stunning vacation villas…
In the areas surrounding Vrnjačka Banja you can also find centuries-old vineyards and a tradition of winemaking that continues through generations, quaint villages where life is being preserved in its rural state, and the 12th and 13th century monasteries of Studenica and Žica, the endowments of the long-ago Serbian kings.
Today Vrnjačka Banja is a well-developed tourist destination, popular among domestic and foreign guests seeking spa treatments or a relaxing getaway in the countryside.
Many hotels and restaurants cater to the needs of the spa guests, delivering excellent service and accommodation. We invite you to visit Vrnjačka Banja, rejuvenate your body, breathe in fresh air and relax in the nature.
Geography
Vrnjačka Banja is located in Central Serbia, in the Raška region. It is located only 200 km from the capital, Belgrade, 25 km from Kraljevo, and 7 km from Trstenik. It is located in the valley of the river Zapadna Morava. It is protected from the south, east and west by the Goč mountain, while the chain of Gledić mountains protects it from the winds from the north.
The spa is located at 220 m above sea level. Two rivers, Lipovačka and Vrnjačka, pass through the spa itself.
On the Zapadna Morava, 25 km from Vrnjačka Banja, there are the Podunavlje ponds, which are a real attraction for everyone who loves the river and sport fishing.
The climate of the spa is moderately continental, it is characterized by snowy winters, without strong frosts and fresher summers. The average temperature during the year is around 10°-15°C, and in summer the average temperature is 20°C.
During the year, it is moderately cloudy, with the most precipitation during the months of June and October, while in September it is raining the less. Thanks to the mountains that surround the spa area, the winds are weak, as many as 170 days during the year are without wind.
History
The beneficial effects of the Vrnjačka Banja spa’s springs have been known since the beginning of Christianity and Roman times. The second century Roman Well can still be found on the site. The spa was upgraded in 1835 on the orders of Prince Miloš, who wanted the spa to rival the famous Czech spa at Karlovy Vary. In 1860 the spa saw further development with the opening of the first pool and apartments.
The culture of Vrnjačka Banja
Vrnjačka Banja and the nearby cities of Aleksandrovac and Trstenik are not only rich in nature, but also in culture. The region sits on the historic borders of empires and strategically important communication lines that have left many lasting influences such as historic monuments and centuries-old monasteries.
Beautiful nature of Vrnjačka Banja
The natural surrounding of Vrnjačka Banja includes wooded mountain slopes, meadows and pastures rich in wild flowers and herbs, and many types of wild animals and birds. The many parks and trails in Vrnjačka Banja are an ideal setting for walking, hiking and or simply relaxing outdoors.
Mineral waters: springs, healing
The springs of the healing waters of Vrnjačka Banja were used since antiquity. However, the first spa doctor in modern history was Josif Pančić. According to his advice, the district mayor Pavle Mutavdžić was treated with the thermal waters, thanks to whom the development and construction of the first spa facilities began.
Seven springs of mineral water are located in the area of the spa: Topla voda, Snežnik, Slatina, Jezero, Beli izvor, Borjak and Vrnjačko vrelo. Among them are springs of both hot and cold water.
Thermal waters, Snežnik, Slatina and Jezero are used for treatment. The two cold waters are bottled as table mineral waters.
Only here on the planet the water temperature is the same as the temperature of the human body, 36.50 C. Mineral water belongs to the type of alkaline carbonic acid hot water. Hot water is the first source adapted to spa tourism. As early as 1883, the Kursalon was built, a room for receiving guests, and a masonry bathroom was built in 1892.
Snežnik is a source of alkaline mineral, carbon-acid cold water. The water temperature is 17° C. The spring began to be used for healing after the First World War. At the request of Austro-Hungarian officers, the spring was cleaned, and from 1920, a fountain was built on the spring.
Slatina is also a source of cold water. The temperature is 14°C. It belongs to the order of alkaline earth acrotopegs. Water from this spring is used as an auxiliary therapeutic agent, exclusively in combination with other mineral waters.
The lake is a source of water that was discovered much later. While most mineral waters have been known since the 19th century, mineral water from Jezera has only been known since 1978. It belongs to the earth-alkaline coal-acid hot waters. The water temperature is 27°C. It is located between Snežnik and Slatina.
The mineral waters of Vrnjačka Banja cure many diseases:
- diabetes (type 1 diabetes, type 2 and complications)
- condition after jaundice
- diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts
- diseases of the pancreas
- gastric and duodenal ulcers
- non-infectious diseases of the small and large intestine
- diseases of the digestive organs
- condition after surgical removal of the gallbladder
- conditions after resection of the esophagus, stomach and intestines
- chronic gynecological diseases and sterility
- infections of the renal pelvis, bladder and urinary tract
- urinary tract calculosis and functional diseases
- rheumatic diseases
- posttraumatic conditions
- degenerative conditions
The treatment is performed by drinking, bathing, inhaling and rinsing with mineral water. It is always necessary to consult a doctor when using these waters.
Tourist attractions of the spa
Apart from health tourism, Vrnjačka Banja is also famous for other interesting things. As it has been inhabited since prehistoric times, numerous monuments of culture and earlier civilizations adorn this queen of spas.
The Roman well Fons Romanus was accidentally found during the catchment in 1924. In addition to the properly carved rock of the spring, the remains of the first pool were also found. Coins found near the well and in the pool are the best evidence of the time when the mineral water of the spa was used. They date from the time of Augustus to Valentinian.
The glass pyramid above the Roman well was built in 1989. From World War II until then, the well was hidden from the public by concrete slabs.
Tools from the time of prehistory (younger Stone Age) can be seen in the permanent exhibition “Ladarište – prehistory of Vrnjaci” of the Homeland Museum. The Homeland Museum is the oldest building (built in 1888) in Vrnjačka Banja after the church and is located above the Topla Voda outlet. It is also known as Belimarković Castle.
The local museum was bought from the Belimarković family in 1968 for cultural purpose. Until then, the heirs of the famous General Belimarković lived in it. The latter popularized Vrnjačka Banja at the end of the 19th century, building his summer house, the Belimarković Castle.
The great guest of this castle was the king himself, Aleksandar Obrenović. As General Jovan Belimarković was a very influential person at that time and one of the Deputy Prime Ministers, important historical decisions were made in this castle.
“Ethnographic Heritage of Vrnjačka Banja” and “Memorial Room of General Belimarković” are also permanent exhibits of the Homeland Museum. They contain testimonies of the life of Serbia from the second half of the 19th century until the 1960s.
The oldest building in Vrnjačka Banja is the Church of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God from the reign of Miloš Obrenović, and in the vicinity of the spa are the monasteries Žiča, Studenica, Ljubostinja and Stubal which preserve the memory of the glorious medieval history of Serbia and the Nemanjić dynasty.
One love from the period before the First World War was remembered, the love of the officer Relja and the teacher Nada and the bridge on which they met – the Bridge of Love.
The Bridge of Love is a place where girls who want to preserve their love come and hang padlocks signed with their names and the names of their partners, and throw the keys into the river.
This custom dates back to the beginning of the 20th century as a memory of the unfortunate Nada, who was left by Relja because he fell in love with a Greek woman during the war. According to the legend, Nada died of grief and pain for her officer.
From the Bridge of Love all the way along the Vrnjačka River, the famous Spa Park stretches. The park has been built since 1888, but has been renovated several times since then.
It has grown and developed over the years. The 2 km long promenade, which is protected by linden trees, the Japanese garden that evokes the vegetation and way of life in Japan, low ornamental plants, but also sculptures by domestic and foreign authors make the park a symbol of Vrnjačka Banja.
Lush vegetation also adorns the Goč mountain, on the slopes of which Vrnjačka Banja is located. Clean air and micro climate help anemic people, they are good for strengthening the metabolism and nervous system. The highest peak of Goč can be reached via Vrnjačka Banja – Stanišinci. There are numerous medicinal herbs on the Goč mountain, even some endemic plant species. Ponds with gocko trout can also be seen.
Fishermen can also enjoy the Zapadna Morava. At 10 km from Vrnjačka Banja, the Danube ponds are arranged, where numerous sports events are organized, including sport fishing.
Three football fields, sports hall, swimming pools, a ski slope, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, an artificial climbing wall and numerous other facilities, but also the climate and relief make Vrnjačka Banja suitable for sports tourism.
The highest attendance in Vrnjačka Banja during the year is recorded during the Carnival. During this period, the spa hosts numerous tourists, both domestic and foreign.
The Vrnjačka Carnival is visited immediately after Exit and Guča festivals. A large number of masquerades, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, theater performances and sporting events are organized in July, in memory of the founding society of Sour Hot Water in Vrnjci (July 14). The central event is an international carnival procession.
Accommodation in the spa
Vrnjačka Banja offers the possibility of accommodation in hotels, apartments and in guest houses. It has about 15,000 available beds for tourists. Accommodation in the specialized medical institution “Merkur” is also provided.
In addition to spa facilities, saunas, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, bowling alleys, in Vrnjačka Banja there are also congress halls (the largest can accommodate 1200 guests).
Special hospital “Merkur” 3*
This hospital-hotel, located by the Vrnjačka River, is a 3-minute walk from the Bridge of Love and a 10-minute walk from the Castle of Culture Museum.
The hospital covers a huge complex that consists of four hotels: Merkur Novi, Šumadija, Merkur Stari and Sveti Đorđe.
Merkur Novi is located in the very center of Vrnjci Spa, in the heart of the Park, a few yards away from the Promenade.
The visitors can enjoy the benefits of the indoor pool with mineral water, the fitness center, massages and treatments. The rooms, with plenty of light, command a spectacular view of the city center.
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning and TV sets with cable network channels, and most of the rooms also have a mini-bar.
The visitors may take the medical services provided by specialists, physical therapeutic department, with urgent and emergency services on the floors.
The hotel offers a lot of different stay types like premiums, superiors, millenniums, apartments and residences.
Šumadija
In the beautiful surroundings of the Vrnjačka park, in a central, but still quiet location, across the building of Merkur Novi is situated the building Šumadija.
The building has been recently renovated, so all the accommodation units are pleasant and equipped with TV with cable channels. Wi-Fi is available at the reception.
Guests have the opportunity to use the recreational facilities of the Aqua and Fitness Center located in Merkur Novi, just a few meters from Šumadija building.
The hotel offers two types of stay in double rooms and apartments.
Sveti Đorđe
Enjoy your accommodation near the Japanese Garden!
Near the source of hot water and the building of the Thermal Mineral Bath is the building of St. George.
In the immediate vicinity of the building there is a Japanese garden, decorated in a traditional Japanese style, which is visited daily by many guests of Vrnjačka Banja.
Its quiet location will give you the opportunity to have a true rest and to relax. The proximity of Mercury’s Spa center Fons Romanus, which is located in the building of the Thermal Mineral Bath, offers the possibility of using attractive wellness and spa facilities.
Merkur Stari
Merkur Stari is adapted to patients in physical medicine.
The building has been recently renovated, so all accommodation units are pleasant and equipped with TV with cable channels. Wi-Fi is available at reception.
Guests have at their disposal medical services: specialist doctors, floor and emergency assistance (24h).
Guests have the opportunity to use the recreational facilities of the Aqua and Fitness Center located in Novi Merkur.
The hotel has double rooms and apartments at its disposal.
You can check the hotel web site here!
Hotel Tonanti 5*
This luxury hotel is situated in a green residential area around 2-minute walk from the 19th-century Belimarković Castle.
Whether you come to this hotel and Vrnjačka Banja for rest, relaxation and recreation or if you are here for business, conferences or personal training, you will feel comfortable and satisfied as in the comfort of your own home.
This hotel is composed of 146 rooms that are equipped according to the most modern standards in order to provide the maximum feeling of comfort and convenience. The outer walls are made of glass and offer beautiful a view of the Vrnjačka park.
The room size are from 25m2 to 35m2. This is a non-smoking hotel (except the rooms with a balcony, where smoking is allowed only outside).
The hotel offers two restaurants. The boarding house restaurant is intended for the hotel guests, while the “à la carte” restaurant is also open to external guests and has a beautiful view of the outdoor pool and park.
The hotel also offers various types of aqua zones such as swimming pools, jacuzzis and many water attractions.
Within the spa center there are sauna rooms, cold room, salt room, steam bath and a floating bath.
This is also the only hotel with a hyperbaric chamber in the entire Serbia!
The hotel offers a lot of room types such as standard double rooms, double rooms with terrace, luxury double rooms, apartments, family apartments and rooms for disabled.
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