Balta Berilovac is a unique village in Serbia, not only because of its unusual name

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

At the gate of Stara Mountain (Stara Planina), one of the three most visited ski centers in Serbia, is Balta Berilovac, a mountain village that tourists often choose as a starting point for discovering the beauty of the Nature Park "Stara Mountain Babin Zub."

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Although many people are confused by the unique archaic architecture there, that is one of the reasons why visitors to Stara Mountain always return to this area.

The houses are made of compressed earth, which is why they last long and are warm  in the winter and cool in the summer, while the porches above the basements and ground floors are a unique monument of folk architecture.

Of course, there are ethno-households and more up-to-date vacation facilities in the village, but it is these over a hundred years old homes that attract most attention.

The Custicka and Crnovrska rivers also contribute to the beauty of Balto Berilovac, completing the rustic panorama of the village.

There are also stalls selling home-made jams, ajvar, natural fruit and vegetable juices, honey... The locals in this village with an unusual name do not intend to leave their homes, nor, regardless of their age and the health problems that brings, stop preparing winter preserves.

The Stara Mountain village is alive all 365 days of the year, but it's most interesting to come here on Djurdjevdan (Feast of St. George, May 6 in the Orthodox calendar) for an event called, "Djurdjevdanski Susreti - Molitva pod Midzorom" (Feast of St. George Gathering - a Prayer under Peak Midzor).

The event begins with a blessing and a welcome of the host to the shepherds and the gathered people, as well as the consecration of medicinal plants. This is followed by shepherds' games, a competition in preparing traditional dishes, a pageant to pick the most beautiful shepherdess...

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)