Vrnjačka Banja
Vrnjačka Banja is Serbia’s best-known spa. Located 195 km from Belgrade, the spa is accessible via highway E 761 or E 75 (to Pojate). If you are heading to Vrnjačka Banja in July and August and are feeling adventurous, take the steam engine Romantika train and hop off at the foot of Mount Goč.
Vrnjačka Banja’s present day name comes from the village of Vrnjci, where the mineral springs were discovered. According to legend, Vrnjačka waters had known medicinal uses during the Turkish rule. Some believe that wounded Turkish cavalrymen came into Vrnjačka Banja for treatment and forced locals to feed and attend them during their recovery. In an attempt to avoid serving the Begs (Turkish leaders) some locals apparently tried to bury the springs.
Vrnjačka Banja features seven beautiful mineral water springs. Four are used for therapeutic purposes, and two for bottled mineral water. Topla voda (warm water) is Banja’s oldest and most famous mineral water spring.
Apart from its healing waters, Vrnjačka Banja offers a variety of cultural events and entertainment. The city is home to the Film Screenplay Festival, which previews the year’s domestic productions and is held every August. The festive Carnival (Karneval) takes place every July and features processions around the city, contests, sports activities, mask shows and other entertainment. The event draws an estimated 200,000 revelers every year. Vrnjačka Cultural Ceremonies are held here every season. If you are the romantic type, head to Vrnjačka Banja on Valentine’s Day for the Longest Kiss contest held on the Bridge of Love.
If not for the padlocks that cover its railings, you might not even notice the Bridge of Love in the center of Banja. Though it is just one of 15 bridges in Vrnjačka Banja this bridge with a sad story has become the symbol of the city.
Locals tell the story of Relja and Nada, two young lovers who would meet here every night before WWI. Once the war broke out, Relja, who was an officer in the Royal Army, went off to war and never came back. He moved to Greece, married, and forgot all about Nada. Heartbroken, Nada waited for him on the Bridge of Love until her dying day. To avoid reliving Nada’s bitter love story, local love struck girls started coming to the bridge every night to secretly “lock up” their boyfriends’ hearts with padlocks. They did this with the hope of holding on their love for all eternity.