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In this episode of Balkan Trip, we explore South Serbia's natural wonders and legends.
Transcript
00:00Welcome. You are watching the Balkan Trip, in which we reveal to you the natural beauties and features of the Balkans.
00:10In this episode, we are taking you on a mystical adventure in the south of Serbia.
00:18The road we are going on leads us to the monument of nature, for which science claims to have been created by natural means,
00:24and the locals believe that the devil himself interfered in its creation.
00:28We will also discover what role water plays in all this and why local tourism is developed in this area.
00:43Good afternoon!
00:44Good afternoon!
00:47Welcome to Djavolju town.
00:48It is a pleasure to meet you.
00:49Djavolju town is made up of 202 earth figures, 2 to 15 meters high and 3 meters wide.
01:04They are a rare natural phenomenon located in the village of Djakje, on the outskirts of the mountain Radan, in the south of Serbia.
01:12Science says that the atmospheric forces, first of all the rain, caused the creation of these earth figures.
01:19It is an erosive process, which is otherwise called aspiration, or denudation.
01:25The atmospheric forces, as well as the mineralogy of the terrain, caused the creation of these earth figures.
01:32The figures are very solid, because they contain yellow clay, limestone, and then styx, of course.
01:39They change during the geological history, but it is a very slow process for human life, so these changes are very minimal.
01:47Although scientists claim that the earth figures were created by erosion,
01:51the inhabitants of this part of Serbia believe that the figures of fire color are a devil's work.
01:57For years, numerous legends have been told, and the most famous is the story about the stone statues.
02:05It is said that the brothers and sisters did not know each other.
02:11They went to the stone statues, they met somewhere, they liked each other, and they got married.
02:19God appeared and did not allow the marriage of the brother and sister, but turned the stone statues into stone.
02:28My elders taught me not to touch the lid, because if you touch it, God will turn you into a stone.
02:36There are some sounds during the night, the wind, there were some stories that devils appear.
02:46The sound appears when there are strong storms.
02:50The wind simply flows between the figures, causes oscillations on the figures,
02:56unusual sounds of things that the people described as devil's screams.
03:05The figures seemed so red and sad to them, and that is why they created this locality and gave it the name of the devil.
03:12The monument of nature, the devil's town, is located about 300 kilometers from Belgrade,
03:18and 30 kilometers from Kursumlija, in the south of Serbia.
03:22In 2010, it was found on the list of candidates for the seven world wonders of nature.
03:28This prestigious title, however, was removed, but it attracted a large number of tourists to this area.
03:34I saw in the pictures, and this is much more impressive than the picture.
03:38I believe that the devil is in the mouse's fingers.
03:41The figures seem unreal, as if they came out of a fairy tale.
03:45Phenomenal, I can't tell you how much I am delighted with all this.
03:48It is really worth coming and seeing.
03:51Water played a big role in the creation of the devil's town.
03:55Within the complex, there are two sources of very acidic water, such as devil's water and red hot water.
04:01Sources of thermo-mineral water in this part of Serbia are almost at every step.
04:07That is why, here is developed banyan tourism, and in a circle of 60 kilometers there are three banyan healing places.
04:13The first and the oldest banyan is Prolom banyan.
04:17It is only half an hour away from the devil's town.
04:21It is rich in natural alkaline water, which helps in the treatment of many diseases.
04:28It is because of its composition that it works well in the treatment of intellectual diseases,
04:34kidney diseases, skin diseases, as well as gastroenterological diseases.
04:39This water is sold all over Serbia and all over Europe.
04:43Also, beer is made from it, but it is not a part of the therapy.
04:48Doctor, can I drink beer instead of water?
04:51Yes, you can.
04:53In that case, cheers!
04:5660 kilometers away, there is Lukovska banyan,
05:00which, according to the number of sources of thermo-mineral water, is one of the richest in Serbia.
05:05There are 37 sources of water of temperature up to 70 degrees.
05:11For Lukovska banyan and healing of acidic water, it has been known for a long time.
05:16In historical records, it is mentioned that Roman legionaries used this water and were treated in Lukovska banyan.
05:23It became more famous during the reign of King Milutin,
05:27who lived in this area and built many churches,
05:32but also his national swimming pool, which still exists today,
05:36on the place we call Gornja banyan, where all the healing sources are located.
05:41Hydrotherapy on the sources of water and natural inhalatory,
05:45is a place where visitors spend a lot of time.
05:48Three hotels are available to them.
05:50There are also medical examinations, massages, mud therapy,
05:53and swimming in warm water is a must.
05:57It is much better for me. I would not change anything, honestly.
06:02I would not change anything, honestly.
06:04I would not change anything, honestly.
06:08Air, water.
06:10Water is good.
06:14Very peaceful place for rest is Kursumlija banyan.
06:19It is the easiest place to get to from Kursumlija.
06:22This banyan was abandoned for more than 20 years.
06:26By renovating old hotel and opening new pools,
06:29two years ago, this place revived and got a new shine.
06:33Renovation of Kursumlija banyan and hotel Planinka brought a lot to the locals in Kursumlija banyan
06:39and to the surrounding villages, but also to the citizens in Kursumlija.
06:42In addition, 120 new workplaces have been opened,
06:45so we have 120 new colleagues for various courses that started with work.
06:52I work as an assistant worker. I started two years ago.
06:56I live not far from here, three kilometers from Kursumlija banyan village Vrelo.
07:01Me and my husband used to live in Kursumlija and school children.
07:05When the banyan opened, of course, we came back here, started working and that's it.
07:10We are working, we are improving thanks to the opening of the hotel and the banyan.
07:16Employees are distinguished by warmth and hospitality, characteristic for Toplica area.
07:21That's why this hotel has more and more guests, all generations.
07:25There are guests who come back seven times a year,
07:29so it is the best recommendation for all those who come to Kursumlija banyan.
07:37Because of its natural beauty, banyan of southern Serbia and city of Djavolja
07:41became very visited tourist destinations in Serbia.
07:44We expect that it will be on the list of your future trips, too.
07:48See you soon with more Balkan stories!
07:53Tours in Serbia
07:57Welcome to the Balkans with Karlos

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