History of Serbian tourism
When the ancient Romans more than 2000 years been conquered territory of today’s Serbia, they found that this region has exceptional healing properties. That’s why they built the Roman Baths – Thermae, whose remains are still scattered across the territory of Serbia. In addition, close to mineral water springs, they built pools and villas where they spent their days in relaxation and treatment. About-preserved remains of baths – balnea from this period were mentioned by some historians and travel writers.
As well the Byzantines, which conquered southeastern Balkans after the Romans, did not neglect curative soil. They continued to enjoy the benefits of this area. After the Serbian medieval state was created, the spa was visited by Serbian people and the Serbian landlords. Shortly after, the arrival of the Ottoman Turks also did not harmed spas, but it marked the typical oriental decorations: Turkish baths or steam bath. These steams baths survived to this day. The famous one is bath in Sokobanja. Beside this one, there are some still in use: the steam bath in Novopazarska spa and Brestovac spa.
Changing of historical scene during the 19th century was led Serbia to independence. In this turbulent period of liberation from five centuries of Turkish rule in Serbia has developed clerical, industrial, commercial and intellectual class citizens – the prototype of modern humans, which is a day full of stress and obligations. This man from the end of 19th and early 20th century, often looked for rest and relaxation in spas. European elites born in the 19th century had visited the spa because treatments for almost all health problems are implemented in them.
Settling civil situation in Serbia has led to the fact that the Serbian spas are beginning to visit the guests from abroad, mostly Austrians, Hungarians and Greeks. The most visited spas were Banja Koviljača, Niška Banja and Vranjska. Serbian state itself, matured to improve spas which is led by eminent physicians.
This development and the rise of Serbian spa tourism, interrupted by the First World War, brutally tearing everything to do with the normal and comfortable life. After its completion, spas have revived with new vitality them, and they again started to receive guests, including those of the dynastic family Karadjordjevic. The interest of the ruling house, helped the further development and growth of prestige spas.
During the interwar period, spas have continued to be modernized, and their popularity among the Serbian elite, has contributed to raising private villas, as part of spa resorts that continue to exist.
The Second World War, such as the First, disconnected man with normal everyday life and put him in front of the fight for survival, and spas are forgotten again until the war was over. Then spas in Serbia are beginning to grow rapidly. Built hotels, resorts, accommodation capacities expand, modernize the spa, also working on the improvement of medical treatment and medical offer in them. This development, with its ups and downs, has continued to this day. Nowadays, modern man increase requirements from the spa offerings, so the development makes it necessary and constant, and the content of spas grows and becomes richer.
Some of the youngest spas in Serbia are Mataruska Banja and Banja Vrdnik, while the oldest are Vrnjačka Banja, Soko Banja and Ribarska Banja, although it is difficult to determine exactly who can take the title of the oldest. The point is that the ancient Romans were familiar with sources of mineral water in Serbia, and those who like the sulfur source water Mataruške Spas have not been discovered until the end of the 19th century are the exceptions. The healing properties of a large number of Serbian spas have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. In the region of Fishermen Spa, archaeological remains have been found that indicate that the area was inhabited in the prehistoric times, although scientists still cannot agree on whether the former residents were familiar with the healing properties of the place where they built a settlement.
Some of Serbian spas exist more than Serbian state itself. Their roots penetrate far into the past and mingle with the steps of the ancient Romans, Byzantines and Ottoman Turks. This resulted in the cultural and historical richness of spas in Serbia and they are resembling small museums, into which is carved seal of time, keeps the traces of the past.
Source: banjeusrbiji.com