Mokra Gora village is not just another beautiful area in Serbia but it’s also declared the best tourist village in the world by the UN World Tourism Organization.
A wider valley situated in west Serbia, between mountains of Zlatibor and Tara, bears the name of Nature Park Šargan – Mokra Gora. It spreads over 10,813 hectares abundant in gorges, peaks, and endemic species.
Even though an old Roman road was paved here centuries ago, Nature Park is nowadays best known for the Šargan Eight railway route and the hilltop settlement Mećavnik or Drvengrad.
MOKRA GORA TRAIN
Let us explain why this train is so interesting. Imagine an old, vintage train, built to run on narrow railway tracks of 760 mm, and being pulled by an old steam locomotive. Oh yes, this is that kind of train, with a furnace in the back!
A small composition will take you through 22 tunnels across the Šargan hill. The train curves in the shape of number 8 (hence the name of the route). The hill is so steep that it would be impossible for the steam locomotive to pull it up. The only way was to adjust the route and to go zig-zagging up the hill.
When taking a ride, you will admire the landscape outside. The train stops three times at stations Šargan-Vitasi, Jatare, and Mokra Gora, providing enough time for taking photos of the stunning nature. There is an interesting fact that no one ever hopped on or off the train at Jatare station, nor did anyone buy a ticket here.
The regular train route was closed in 1970. In 2003 it was reopened, and it now runs for tourism purposes only. The ride will last for two and a half hours or so, and the ticket is less than 20 USD. And you will get a trip-back-in-time type of experience.
MEĆAVNIK RESORT MOKRA GORA
Mećavnik resort Mokra Gora is a hilltop settlement that made this Serbian village famous worldwide. Just imagine lavish greenery all around the surrounding mountain peaks, harsh winter snows and blizzards, great views, traditional cottages – and Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Monica Bellucci walking by!
That’s right, movie celebrities come here every year given that the settlement belongs to renowned Serbian film director Emir Kusturica. Once a year, Mećavnik hosts the Kustendorf International Film and Music Festival and this remote Serbian mountain then sparkles in a different light.
Mećavnik resort Mokra Gora is open to everyone offering great views, a couple of old-timers in the courtyard, a pastry shop with traditional sweets, even a cinema. Make sure to check what’s on during the time of your visit. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the local ‘ledene kocke’ cake (translated as ice cubes) or urmašice. These sweets can nowadays only be found in local households.
An interesting fact: the name Mećavnik comes from ‘mećava’ meaning blizzard in Serbian. This is the name locals gave the settlement originally called Drvengrad (or ‘town made of wood’).
MOKRA GORA SERBIA
Mokra Gora Serbia will take your breath away when it comes to views, serenity, and an antistress environment, but also a great food that locals can cook. As in other parts of Serbia, portions are huge, and there’s no escaping a shot or two of homemade rakija. Otherwise, hosts will be offended.
When exploring the area, there is one more village one should consider visiting. It’s only 12 km away and it’s called Kremna. This is where the 19th-century Tarabić family originated from whose members were believed to be clairvoyant. According to locals, they predicted the invention of television, the telephone, shifts to the throne, etc. They even say that there is a miracle barrel at the Kremna’s Prophecy Complex.
If you want to get the throne, locals say, this is the place to be!!!
Some Mokra Gora/Drvengrad visit recommendations:
