Almost all spas in Serbia had, and still have, a clearly defined dual structure rich in contrast. The area around the mineral springs and baths was arranged as a spa park, which hotels and private villas used as a benchmark. This therapeutic area continues with streets, residential building blocks of the spa settlement, and in some cases, a commercial center in the immediate vicinity.
This dual character of Serbian spas, in terms of their social and urban structure, everyday life manifestations, and very pronounced visible contrasts, gave them unique appeal. This urban symbiosis contributed to the spa losing its purely therapeutic, healing character, so a spa visitor can spend time in a diverse and interesting environment.
On the other hand, spa parks have gained a significant social, psycho-hygienic function in that symbiosis. The spa park was and remains that attractive, natural space where divisions arose between spa guests and permanent residents, where one forgot that he was there for treatment.
To get to know Vrnjačka Banja – the queen of spas, it is best to take a walk through the vast and plant-rich Vrnjačka Banja Park. Along the Vrnjačka River, spa promenades are protected by linden trees along almost an entire 2-kilometer length. Desanka Maksimović, Ivo Andrić, Maksim Gorki, Danilo Bata Stojković used to ride these trails, just like millions of tourists and visitors from the world and Serbia.
Everything is where it has to be, decorated with care and love, so if you have ever had any prejudices towards Vrnjačka Banja, a couple of hour walk will be enough to see this place with completely different eyes.
Only when you visit the area with your eyes wide open, enjoying the silence and the sounds of nature, will you assure yourself of every epithet that adorns Vrnjačka Banja.
Vrnjačka Banja Tree Lines
The tree lines of Vrnjačka Banja stretching from the “Snežnik” mineral spring, next to the hot water, to the confluence of the Lipovačka and Vrnjačka River, with one arm separating towards the “Slatina” spring, are a special tourist offer attraction. They were phase-planted from 1892 to 1923. The main tree line is 1.5 km long and consists mainly of three linden species with 902 trees.
The park greenery comprises coniferous and deciduous trees: lindens, oaks, wild chestnuts, ash, plane trees, maples, firs, black pines; rare exotic tree species: Canadian and blue spruce, Yezo spruce, weeping willow, Japanese cherry, etc., as well as numerous coniferous and deciduous shrubs species.
Lush vegetation fills the parks of Vrnjačka Banja with intoxicating scents and shade, making it always pleasant for a walk, fresh during the summer months, and fabulously snowy in winter.
Flower gardens
A unique park feature is flower gardens, or flower carpets and mosaic flower beds with written messages. Various tropical grasses, geraniums, marigolds, begonias, etc., grow in the gardens on a total area under flowers of 1630 m2.
Within the park, there is also the Roman spring, the Music Pavilion, numerous fountains, as well as sculptures by our and foreign authors.
Forty-five sculptures along the Vrnjačka riverbed are contemporary works by Yugoslav and world-famous sculptors created after the 1965 Open Air Sculpture Symposium.
“Crni Bor” Natural Monument
Crni Bor is located in the central park, on the right side of the Vrnjačka River, across from the former Hotel Srbija. The tree is 35 m high, with a 17 m diameter crown. The tree is around 200 years old and relates to the Vrnjačka Banja legend about the tragic fate of a Serbian man and a young Muslim girl who sacrificed their lives for love..
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is also located within the Vrnjačka Banja Park. The Japanese Garden was built in 2011 with a donation from Japan and local government funds.
It spreads over 3,000 square meters. It enriched Vrnjačka Banja Park with new cultural content. It conjures up the culture of Japanese people for the visitors and enriches the plant material of the spa park with plants arranged in different horticultural styles. The garden core is a small lake with an island, a gazebo, and a small cascading waterfall and a bridge on the hill. This is the second Japanese garden in Serbia; the first is in Belgrade.
Alley of Vrnjačka Banja Giants
In the Central Spa Park, in the area between the two fountains, there is the Alley of Vrnjačka Banja Giants. It accommodates busts erected to the deserving citizens of Vrnjačka Banja, including Dr. Dušan Radić, Miodrag B. Protić, Vladeta Vuković, Jovan Miodragović…
Park of Remembrance
Thanks to the association “Danilo Bata Stojković”, many Serbian actors who are no longer among us got a park in the center of Vrnjačka Banja where various trees keep the memory of the doyens of acting who were adored by the audience. The park is located next to the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring.
Children’s park
Within the central park, there is also a children’s park with numerous props for play: climbers, swings, seesaws, and slides.
Adventure park
Experience an unforgettable adventure in our adventure park located near the Music Pavilion. The adventure park is fitted with nine interesting obstacles that will activate your body, increase concentration and entertain you. There are also professional equipment and certified operators to keep the experience safe.
The adventure park can be used by anyone who wishes and is at least 115 cm tall. There is always the popular zip line for our little ones who do not meet the height requirements.
