Three day sightseeing program, the city of Nis and surroundings
CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES – MONASTERY TOUR
Programme duration – 3 days, 6 to 8 hours                             

By coach/on foot: number of tourists: 2 to 51*

CHURCHES, MOSQUES AND SYNAGOGUE OF THE CITY OF NIS, MONASTERIES OF THE EPARCHIES OF NIS: ADROVAC, DJUNIS – St. ROMAN, NAUPARA, POGANOVO, SUKOVO, DIVLJANE

1ST day: NIS – CHURCHES, MOSQUES AND SYNAGOGUE….. a walking tour starts from the centre of city, in front of the Stanbol Gate, main entrance at the fortress of Nis. Going through the fortress – Bali beg’s mosque, the oldest and the most beautiful mosque in the city, today Salon 77 – a new exhibition space of the National museum in Nis. Continue in foot towards city centre, across Pedestrian Street, all the way to the Big Temple, the church of The Holy Trinity, third biggest Christian church in Serbia. It was built in late XIX century with a mix styles (Serbian, Byzantine, Roman and Islam). Then, we pay a visit of the church of St. Archangel Michael (beginning of XIX cent). Then we continue on foot through “Obilicev Venac” street, right to the catholic church of the Holy Heart of Jesus (end of XIX cent). Right after we visit the mosque of Islam aga (mid XIX cent) in the centre of the town, as well as the only synagogue in south Serbia region (beginning of XX cent). A short break for coffee and toilet. 
The rest of the sightseeing we continue by coach – panoramic: remains of old Hasan beg’s mosque, Adventist church, church of St. Emperor Constantine and Empress Jelena, in St. Sava park, the church of St. Panatalejmon, which was built on the remains of old church, raised by great Duke Stevan Nemanja in XII century, the Latin church – the oldest church in this part of Serbia (XI cent), in the village of Gornji Matejevac. This day tour ends by the port of St. Nikola church, one of the oldest churches in town.

2ND day: NIS/ ADROVAC, DJUNIS – St. ROMAN, NAUPARA/ NIS….. We depart on the north towards Aleksinac, near village Gornji Adrovac, where stands the of St. Trojica Rajevska, dedicated to the Russian colonel Nikolaj Nikolajevic Rajevski, who fought, as a Russian volunteer on Serbian side against Turks and lost his life there in 1886.  Nikolaj Rajevski is also well known in the world as Vronksi character from Tolstoy’s book Ana Karenjina. Then we continue the road to Djunis and visit monastery of St. Roman, with a church dedicated to St. Annunciation Day (XI, XV and XVIII cent).
After a shorter lunch break in restaurant (classical Serbian menu), we continue the journey to monastery Naupara, where the church is dedicated to the Birth of The Holy Mother of God. This church represents a true example of a good Morava construction school an it was built in late XIV century. Main patrons were monk Dorotej and Duke Stefan Lazarevic. In this church a part of Karadjordje’s army as long as him self were given a sacrament in 1805.
In the afternoon, we depart back to the city of Nis
(in total: 300 km)

3rd day: NIS/ POGANOVO, SUKOVO, DIVLJANE/ NIS... departure from Nis, to the east, on the international road E80 (Nis – Sofia – Istanbul), via Bela Palanka and Pirot, right to monastery of St. Jovan Bogoslov in village Poganovo. The monastery is one of the oldest, and at the same time one of the most beautiful in this part of Serbia. It is placed on a beautiful location, where river Jerma spread it’s coasts, surrounded by mountain slopes and edges of the gorge. It was built in late XIV cent, fresco painted one century latter. Shorter coffee brake in the near by restaurant, former train station of the closed coal mine railway.
Continue towards monastery dedicated to the Rising of The Holy Mother of God in the village of Sukovo (XVII cent).
The road takes us back west towards Pirot and Bela Palanka all the way to Divljana, a famous school resort . We visit monastery in Divljana and the church dedicated to the St. Dimitrije Mirotocivi. This church was built by brothers Mrnjavcevic during XIV cent. Main characteristic of this church is it’s big acoustic. It is the second most acoustic church on the Balkan peninsula. After a brake in the restaurant of Divljana resort for lunch, coffee and toilet and a walk by the Divljana lake, we depart back to the city.                                                                                                                  
Return to the city
End of programme
(in total: 250 km)                                       

PRICE: 210 EUR

Information: The sightseeing tour is leaded by local tourist guide (English speaking)...  Excursions which include visits to archeological sites, long sections on foot or hiking may not be suitable for passengers with disabilities or walking difficulties. Passengers are requested to wear appropriate clothing for visits to religious sites. - Excursion itinerary and price may be subject to change
* total number of tourists, for one guide can not be larger then 51. Double Decker coaches could not pass the gorge of river Jerma towards monastery of St. Jovan Bogoslov in village of Poganovo