One learn more about the gorge only after the railroad was constructed in 1887. This area is host to about twenty sanctuaries, some of which are worth visiting: the Monastery of St. Petka Iverica, in Ostrovica, where king Alexander Obrenović built a church in 1898, the remains of the Monastery Uspenje ( Ascension ) , the Monastery of St. Mother of God, built in 1644, at the very foot of the hill Kušače and the church of St. Prorokopija located in the very village of Sićevo.

The village of Sićevo is located on a plane above the gorge, on the right bank of the Nišava river. Every year an Art Colony is held here. It was founded as early as in 1905 by the famous Serbian painter Nadežda Petrović. For two decades a Writers’ Colony has been active here as well.

In the nearest vicinity there is also the hotel Sićevo, offering 72 rooms and four suites. There is also a sport centre with handball, volleyball and basketball courts. Mountain ranges on the north ( Mt. Svrljiške ) and the south ( Mt. Suva ) provide a lot of opportunity for mountaineering, alpinism, and paragliding. According to climate and orthography, the Sićevo paragliding track is the best such facility in the Balkans.

This area is ideal for hunting, fishing, and kayaking.

There are 68 registered endemic species in the gorge and many are protected by the law, in particular the famous Saliva officinalis ( the sage ). Animal life is diverse, but unfortunately endangered. Among 32 species of birds, the rarest ones are the golden eagle and the griffon vulture.

This area is famous for wine and brandy production. Hospitable locals will quite surely first offer you their open hearts and some wine and brandy.

The name of the river and the gorge comes from the village Jelašnica.

The gorge is situated 15 kilometres east from Niš, and only 5 kilometres from Niška Banja. Its total length is 2 kilometres.

The gorge is a natural jewel and is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in southeast Serbia.

The village of Jelašnica, where one enters the gorge, was first mentioned in a 1498 manuscript. Numerous archeological excavations testify that this was a Neolithic mining settlement. In the Roman times, there was a military road nearby the so – called Via militaris.

In the gorge proper there were some strategic fortifications, some of which were even embedded in the rocks. Their remains are visible today, too.

In the gorge one finds dolomite columns ( Inatovac and Zdravački ) , jogged stone teeth ( Čukljenički ) and dwarf beams ( Čuči rock ) . Erosional and denudational forms are also present such as stone windows ( Jelašnički and Čukljenički ) , which stand among the biggest such rocky shapes in Serbia.

The gorge abounds in natural beauties, such as waterfalls, the most attractive of which is Ripaljka. There is also a variety of rare plant and animal life. Sixty five endemic and subendemic species have been registered. Among them, the most precious ones are Ramonda Serbica and Ramonda Nathaliae, which managed to survive the last Ice Age.

Today, one finds the remnants of the churches of St. Elijah and St. Archangel Michael in the gorge, too.

The ideal terrain in the gorge has provided all necessary preconditions for the construction of the natural rock climbing site. This is the venue of mountaineering and alpinism. There are over 40 paths for athletic climbing ( in accordance with the standard of UIAA International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation ) , where the rock hosts fully attested equipment.

The hotels Ozren

These two hotels offer 303 beds and two restaurants, preparing meals from international and national cuisine, but also dietetic dishes.

Apart from typical room – and – board services, guests may use: a pastry shop, a bar, a TV room, a snooker room, an automatic bowling room, and three multi – purpose halls intended for conferences.

 
The major advantage of these facilities lies in the fact Hotel Ozren is connected to the therapeutical buildings.

The healing properties of its waters were well-known as early as in times of the Ancient Rome, over 2000 years ago. The Spa is located directly above a thermal water spring, in the vicinity of the Constantinople Road’, spanning the East and the West.

 
Niška Banja is natural sanatorium rich in thermal mineral water springs and natural mineral mud. It is protected from the winds, surrounded by greenery and pure nature. Its climate is moderately continental, with pleasant summer and mild winter. The healing water springs at four main locations, where the temperature ranges from 36 to 38 degrees C.

 
Beneficial effects of Niška Banja have been verified in the treatment of and recuperation from:

• locomotor system diseases,
• cardiovascular diseases,
• recovery period after the insertion of a hip and knee endoprosthesis,
• posttraumatic disorders,
• conditions following damage to central and peripheral motor neurons.

 
The main healthcare institution in the spa is the Institute for Prevention, Treatment of and Rehabilitation from Rheumatic and Cardiovascular Diseases Niška Banja.

The institute offers three dispensaries: Radon, Terme and Zelengora, with total capacity of 560 beds.

Apart from the accommodation facilities with single and double rooms and suites, each dispensary hosts a full range of facilities for hydro – , pelo – , kinesi – , and electro – therapy; a caf – bar, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a sauna, a modern beauty parlour, etc. The dispensary Radon has an amphitheatre and a large conference room, offering 50 seats and additional technical accessories.

 
History :

According to archeological findings, Niška Banja was inhabited in Bronze Age. Its growth began in the Roman times. As 2nd century and the reign of Emperor Constantine, a native of Naissus, the settlement grew even more rapidly. At this time, the healing water was conducted through lead pipes to the royal palace in the nearby summer house of Mediana.

The early Christian tomb was discovered in 1972, during the construction of Radon dispensary. Its architecture suggests it was intended as a sacral object, dating from 4th – 6th century.

 
Niška Banja is growingly getting famous as a venue for training and competition in numerous sports. The most attractive sport events take place in the hippodrome, tennis courts, courts for outdoor and indoor soccer, handball, volleyball, and the rifle range.

In recent years, the Spa has become a venue of international paragliding competitions. The contestants start from the slopes of the gorgeous Koritnik, circle around Niška Banja, and then land in the  feet of the  Spa.

Niška Banja also hosts an art gallery and the summer stage. In the summer season, it offers an outdoor amphitheatre, a fountain plateau and a park arbour as the gathering spots for numerous art groups and cultural events. The most famous two are The Sage Days and Days of Ethno Culture. They represent the most attractive parts of the summer of sport and culture, which  starts  mid June  and ends  in  September.

The Day of St. Elijah, 2n August, is particularly lively. This is the date of the famous Convocation of St. Elijah.

The best service, comfort, atmosphere that support work and rest make the hotel ” Niški Cvet ” your only choice during your stay in Niš.

Keeping in mind guests’ needs, we have prepared numerous services in order to make their stay in hotel as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

We are able to provide the following:
- serviceable personnel at the reception desk 24 hours a day;
- fast check – in and check – out from the hotel;
- morning cofee and newspapers;
- room service;
- Internet access in each room;
- 60 seats capacity restaurant;
- secured parking lot for guests of the hotel;
- elevator ,
- exchange office
 
The hotel ” Niški Cvet ” has 24 exclusively furnished rooms.

They are arranged as:

- 21 double rooms,
- 3 top – class suites.

All the rooms and suites are centrally air – conditioned and have luxury bathrooms, mini bar, satellite television, Internet access and telephone.

Situated at the crossroads, Niš connects the Balkan to Europe, and Europe to the Near East. That is why it has always been considered a gateway between The East and The West.

City territory is 596 square meters.

Niš climate is moderate continental with mid annual temperature 11,8 °C , the coldest month is January ( 0,5 °C ) and annual rainfall about 550 l /m2.

The whole city celebrates the 3rd of June - Day of Saint Emperor Constantine and Helene.

 
HISTORY

Pre – Roman period: ilyrians, thracians, celts

II century a. d. : Romans made Niš into military city municipate – free city

280. year a. d. : Favius Valerius Constantini – Constantin The Great was born in Niš

441. and 450. a. d. : Niš was destroyed by Huns

6th. Century: Slavs come to Balcans: Niš develops by Byzantine city under the rule Byzantine Empress Theodora

1183. Serbian Župan Stevan Nemanja conquers Niš

1189. Stefan Nemanja mits in Niš with German emperor Frederic Barbarossa, and they form alliance against the Byzantinum.

1202. Nemanjas son Vukan, takes over Niš from Byzantium.

1203 Stefan Nemanja liberates Niš from Bulgarians 1386. Turks conquer Niš, when the period of much century slavery begins.

1718 – 1723. On the remains of Roman and Byzantin fortifications, Turks build the new fortress 1908. first rebellion battles near Niš against the Turskish rule. On 19. May the same year, in great battle on Cegar hill, near Niš, the famous duke Stevan Sindjelićwas killed. From the heads of the killed Serbs, turks have contracted the ” Skull tower “

1878.Niš was liberated from Turkish rule

1879. First comprehensive secondary was founded 1887. First National Theatre ” Sindjelić ” was founded

1894. First railway Belgrade – Niš was constructed

 1900. First number of literary magazine ” Gradina ” was issued

1905. Art colony in Sicevo was founded by painter Nadežda Petrović

1914. Serbian government was moved, Niš became the war capital of Serbia.

Niš was liberated 12. October 1918.

Between two World wars Niš was the center of Morava Region.

1945. II World War  - 14.  October liberation of Niš

MONUMENTS OF NIŠ

Monument to the liberators of Niš

In the centre of the main city square stands the monument dedicated to liberators from the Turks, put up in 1937.

It was built in the honor of Niš liberation in World War I.

The monument was made by the sculptor Antun Augustinc, and it is situated at king milan square.

Čair drink – fountain

It was put up in 1903 at the present location.

In the meantime, the fountain was taken to the city park Čair, and in 2007 it was restituted to the original location.

 
Monument dedicated to the people of Niš hung by the Turks in 1821

It was put up in 1913 in memory of 35 years of the liberation from the Turks and 1600 years of signing the Milan edict by bishop Dositej with the clergy.

 
Monument dedicated to the meeting of Serbian Despot Stevan Nemanja and Emperor Frederick I Barbarosa 

The gates of Niš saw in several well – known dignitaries of Europe. In 1906 , the Crusade leader Walter visited Niš, and in 1189 Niš welkomed Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in his campaing against Byzyntium. He was greeted here by his ally, Serbian Despot Stefan Nemanja.

 
Army home building

During World War One, this was Serbian Wartime Parliament Building. A very important session of  the Parliament was held on December 7th, 1914, in the Officers Home building, where the Government’ s proposal for the unification of south Slavic peoples was discussed. It was here that the well – known Niš Declaration was made – the constitution of the unified State of  the Serbs, Croatians and Slovenians.

 
Monument to Prince Milan Obrenović

On 11th January 1978, Milan Obrenović liberated Niš from the Turks. In 1902, in his honor this monument in the form of gun – bullet was made by the Italian stone – cutter Vitoria Carruco.

The Skull Tower
The Skull Tower is  a unique monument in the world.
This is a monument into which the skulls of Serbian rebels were built, as Turkish retaliation after the battle of Čegarin 1809 upon the order of Turkish Hurshid Pasha.

There are 952 skulls built into the Skull Tower.

Mediana

This archeological site testifies of the richness and glamour of the Imperial Naissus. Remnants of the palace with a peristyle were discovered, as well as luxurious villas with mosaic, sacral objects ( a baptistery ) , economic buildings with big clay vessels known as pitos, and other buildings, all testifying of the cultureand luxury of Naissus during Constantine’  s reign ( from 306 to 337 ) .

 
Čegar Hill

A place where the Batlle of Čegar took place on May 19th, 1809.

 
The Bubanj Hill monument

The location on which over 10, oo0 inhabitants of Niš and south Serbia were shot during World War Two.

The building of this fortress lasted from 1719 to 1723. it was build with local people tedious labor, Istanbul stonecutters and bricklayers.
Beside this wall saved walls and gates, numerous objects from various periods, such as armory, turkish steam, bath, turkish post station, Bali – mosque, powder place and prison were also saved within this fortress.

Bali Beg Mosque

The construction of this mosque took a few years – from 1525 to 1553. It is one out of 10 mosques built within the Fortress.

Today GallerySalon 77 is lokated there.