Location

Serbia is located in Central and Southeastern Europe, covering the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the central part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Serbia is bordered by Hungary to the North; Romania and Bulgaria to the East; The Republic of Macedonia and Albania to the South; and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the West.

History
Republic Serbia was one of six republics that made up the country of Yugoslavia, which broke up in the 1990s. In 2003 Serbia and Montenegro were the remaining two republics forming a federation. In 2006 Montenegro split from Serbia.

Serbs settled on Balkan Peninsula in the 6th and the 7th centuries and adopted Christianity in the IX century. The first Serbian state was founded in XII century. By the XIV century, under the rule of czar Dusan it became the most powerful state in the Balkans. After the Serbia was defeated in the battle of Kosovo in 1389, it was absorbed into the Ottoman Empire. Through the XIX century its struggle against Ottoman rule intensified and in 1878 Serbia gained independence after Russia defeated the Ottoman Turks in the Russia – Turkish war of 1877-1878.

World War I began on Balkan Peninsula in 1914 when Archduke Franc Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, which led to Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia. Within months, much of European countries were at the war. After the World War I 1918 Serbia became part of kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, under the rule of King Peter I of Serbia who was the first ruler of Karadjordjevic dynasty.

His son Alexander I succeeded him in 1921. the name of the country was changed into Yugoslavia 1929. In the World War II, 1941, the Nazis occupied the country and the young king and his Government fled. In 1945, after the war, the monarchy was abolished and the Communist Federal Peoples’s Republics of Yugoslavia with Josip Broz Tito as a prime minister was born. Tito became president in 1953 and president for life under a revised constitution adopted 1963. Serbia became an independent state again in 2006, after Montenegro left the union that formed after the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1990s.

Serbia is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Council of Europe.

Culture
Serbia is one of Europe’s most culturally diverse countries. The borders between large empires ran through the territory of today’s Serbia for long periods in history: between the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire; between Kingdom of Hungary, Bulgarian Empire, Frankish Kingdom and Byzantium; and between the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian Empire (later Austria-Hungary). As a result, while the north is culturally “Central European”, the south is rather more “Oriental”. Of course, both regions have influenced each other, and so the distinction between north and south is artificial to some extent.

Serbia has eight cultural sites marked on the UNESCO World Heritage list: Stari Ras and Sopocani monasteries (included in 1979), Studenica Monastery (1986), the Medieval Serbian Monastic Complex in Kosovo, comprising: Decani Monastery, Our Lady of Ljeviš, Gracanica and Patriarchate of Pec (2004, put on the endangered list in 2006), and Gamzigrad – Romuliana, Palace of Galerius, added in 2007. Likewise, there are 2 literary memorials added on the UNESCO’s list as a part of the Memory of the World Programme: Miroslav Gospels, handwriting from the 12th century (added in 2005), and Nikola Tesla’s archive (2003).

Serbian Manners and Customs
Serbia is a land of warmhearted people, where hospitality is the dearest obligation of every host, where everything will be done to make the guest feel at home.

Greeting people
When people meet for the first time they say their first name, shake hands and say “Drago mi je” (Nice to meet you). If you are seated, rise when you meet people, especially women and elder men. When meeting after a longer time or upon some celebration such as a birthday, it is Serbian custom to kiss three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands. Serbs are, in general, open, friendly and direct.

House visits
Upon arriving at someone’s home you will be treated to a coffee, juice and brandy (rakija). Don’t miss trying the delicious sweet preserves “slatko” of which you should take just a spoon or two accompanied by a glass of water. Upon your first entry in a household is is customary to bring a symbolic present, a bottle of an alcoholic drink, an assortment of chocolates, flowers or similar.

In saying cheers, “Živeli“, touch glasses and look to the eyes of all the people you toast with while touching glasses.

Visiting for Slava
The greatest honor for every guest is to be invited to a “slava”, a celebration of a family’s saint day. Don’t forget to bring a symbolic gift, such as a bottle of wine or flowers. The conventional greeting is “Srecna slava”, followed by kissing three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands. You will be offered “žito”, a ceremonial sweet made of wheat, honey and nuts; you are required to make a sign of cross (if you’re a Christian), take one spoon and leave it in a glass of water. All that you have to do afterwards is to enjoy the hospitality. By Serbian custom, upon drinking in a café or dinning our, the bill will be paid by the host as a sigh of hospitality. Sharing the payment around the table, except when there is no money around, is not considered convivial. You can ask to order a round after you enjoyed several paid by your hosts.

Visiting Churches and Monasteries
Upon visiting churches and monasteries you are required to act politely, not to laugh or raise your voice too loud. The dress code doesn’t allow shorts or mini-skirts, which could be a problem in summertime. When entering, take your hat off. If your visit coincides with a service, you can enter, but stand in one place and don’t walk around. On all occasions women are not allowed in the altar space behind the iconostasis. Ask for permission if you want to take pictures with a flash, especially in the church.

Food and Drink
Serbia has a lot to offer to hedonists and eating out to catch local flavors is an unforgettable experience and a highlight for many visitors. Make sure you try the local dishes. The prices are low for western visitor, so go ahead, indulge yourself.

Serbian cuisine is a reflection of historical influences in this area, where Oriental and Slavic tastes are dominant.

Local favorites are cevapcici (small rolls of mixed minced meat), which are eaten with plain onions and warm bread, pljeskavica and all kinds of grilled meat.

During meals don’t hesitate even one moment to take more if you like the food. The courses (starters, soup, main dish, dessert) are accompanied by saying „Prijatno“ (Bon Appetite) and answering “Hvala, takodje” (Thank you, same to you).

Climate
The Serbian climate varies between a continental climate in the north, with could winters, and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall patterns, and a more Adriatic climate in the south with hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy inland snowfall. Differences in elevation, proximity to the Adriatic sea and large river basins, as well as the exposure to the winds account for climate differences. Vojvodina possesses typical continental climate, with air masses from Northern and Western Europe which shape its climatic profile. South and Southwest Serbia is subject to Mediterranean influences, however the Dinaric Alps and other mountain ranges contribute cooling down the biggest part of warm air masses. Winters are quite harsh in Sandzak because of the mountains which encircle that plateau.

General info
Official name: The Republic of Serbia
Capital: Belgrade (Beograd), with a population of more than 1,6 millions, is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Serbia.
Area: 88,361 km²
Population: 9.779,00
Religion: The main religion in Serbia is Christian Orthodox. There are also other religious
communities in Serbia: Islamic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and other. Government: Democratic republic. The president and the parliament are elected every four years in general election

Language: The official language is Serbian and the script in official use is Cyrillic, while Latin script is also used. In the areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, the languages and scripts of the minorities are in official use, as provided by law.

Useful facts
Time zone: Central European time zone / GMT+1
Currency: The monetary unit is the Dinar (CSD) – 1 Dinar
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 Dinar
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 and 5000 Dinar
Power supply: 220 V, 50 Hz

Banks & Postal service: Most banks and post offices are open from 08:00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sunday there is usually a designated bank or post office that maintains needed services.

Hotels and accommodation: hotels, motels, vacation complexes, mountains lodges and other accommodation facilities.

Shops: Food shops typically open at 06.00 a.m. and work until 09.00 p.m., both weekdays and Saturdays. Sundays they typically operate from 06.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. Everywhere, there are stores open 24 hours a day. Markets are opened every day from 06.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.

Credit cards: International credit cards Visa, Master Card, Diners, American Express and others are accepted in the majority of stores, hotels and restaurants.

Medical care: Hospitals and out-patient clinics typically work 24 hours a day. Private medical practices are common and emergency medical service is available everywhere 24 hours a day. Pharmacies are opened from 08.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. on working days and on Saturdays from 08.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. Each city has a pharmacy that is open on Sundays and throughout the night.

Internet: Serbia has 1.6 million internet users. Internet cafes are common in urban centers.

Internet country code is .rs, with former country code .yu being phased out in 2007

Important phone numbers Police: 92 Fire service: 93 Medical emergency: 94 Help on the road: 987 Holidays – non working days: January 1 & 2 – New Years January 7 – first day of Orthodox Christmas February 15 – Statehood Day of the Republic Serbia May 1 & 2 – International Labor Day Orthodox Easter – from Good Friday to the second day of Easter On non-working holidays only shops and institutions on duty are open. Believers are entitled not to work on their religious holidays, depending on their religion

WHY VISIT SERBIA? A land of surprising contrasts Since ancient times travelers have left written records in which they describe Serbia as a land of bewildering contrasts and wonderful beauty that awaken the imagination and passions of all who set foot in its territory.

Those who are looking for a off-the-beaten track explorative holiday will find Serbia extremely welcoming. The country boasts beautiful national parks, spa resorts and some of the best skiing in Europe during the winter months. Contained in the landscape of this verdant country are alpine meadows, impenetrable forests, glittering limestone caves, remote monasteries, mountain lakes, hot springs and fields of wild herbs.

Serbia is definitely the tourist destination of the future and one that offers tourists a truly warm and hospitable welcome.