Rajacke Pimnice - a wine paradise in Serbia: They are centuries old and have an interesting history

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

Rajacke Pimnice (Rajac Wineries), a settlement whose purpose is to make and store wine, is located on a hill above the village of Rajac, near Negotin, in eastern Serbia.

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It is often referred to as Rajacke Pivnice, which is also a correct way to call it. Originally, the place was called Rajacke Pivnice, from the Serbian verb "piti" ("to drink") and the noun "vino" ("wine"), but over time, the letter "v" changed to "m,"  so today both forms are accepted. Although in Serbian, the word "pivnica" (singular of "pivnice") is associated with an establishment that serves beer - there's no beer here.

The settlement was founded in mid-18th century, and reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th. Namely, at that time, an aphid that attacks grapevine began to spread throughout Europe, but the plague bypassed the Negotin region, so wines from this part of Serbia made their way to the  markets in Europe.

Locals in Rajac were improving viticulture, but in the 1970s, they began to leave their village, leaving Pimnice empty. Only in recent years this part of Serbia has seen revival and immediately became attractive to tourists.

In addition to being known for its wines, Rajacke Pimnice are also recognizable for its authentic architecture. The structures are built in the rustic style, a combination of hewn stone and wood. The cellars, that are two meters below ground level are intended for storing wine, while the rooms above are used by the winemakers.

Tourists who come to this part of Serbia have several reasons to choose Rajacke Pimnice as a vacation spot. In addition to being located amid beautiful nature, wines made from indigenous grape varieties can be tasted here. Some of these buildings also offer boarding, so they are ideal for spending the weekend away from the city.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Telegraf.rs)