In late June, Savremena’s older primary school students went on a two-day study trip which took them to Viminacium, Tumane monastery, Golubac, Negotin and Lepenski Vir, following the flow of the river Danube. Their excitement is not easy to put into words: fine weather was on their side as their curiosity was kindled by the historic landmarks of eastern Serbia while they had an exquisitely fun time together.

MEDIEVAL SERBIA, CULTURAL MONUMENTS AND NATIONAL PARKS

The first day of the trip, the route took the students on a bus rise to the archaeological site Viminacium, and a tour of the Roman military camp and the capital of the Roman province of Moesia Superior. With professional guidance, they learnt a lot about this unique place, well-known throughout Europe and the rest of the world since it was discovered in the latter half of the last century.

As their interesting journey continued, the students visited the Tumane monastery, which dates back to late 14th century, likely endowed by Miloš Obilić, and then went on to enjoy free activities. The next destination was the City of Golubac – medieval fortress and cultural monument also dating from the 14th century, nowadays a part of the Đerdap National Park.

MEMORABLE TIME TOGETHER AND EXCITING SECOND DAY

After a tour of the fortress, the students went to their hotel, “Golubački Grad”, where they relaxed spending some casual time together.

They got up early the next morning, full of enthusiasm for the rest of their journey. The second day of the trip took them to Negotin, where they took a sightseeing tour of the city which included visits to the Museum of Hajduk Veljko, and Stevan Mokranjac’s house from the 19th century – an official immovable cultural property and a historical monument, as this is the place where this preeminent Serbian composer and choir leader, educator and collector of folk melodies that enriched classical music, lived and worked.

Through a curated tour, the students learned that Mokranjac was a representative a musical realism and one of the major figures in Serbian music in late 19th and early 20th centuries. His “Garlands” are considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Serbian music, while his spiritual music heritage continues to live on through the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.

The visit to Mokranjac’s house was followed by a walk in the city centre and visits to monuments dedicated to Hajduk Veljko and Đorše Stanojević. The last stop of the journey included a tour of the archaeological site Lepenski Vir, as well as a 19th century ethnological park and a museum.

All things considered, it can be said that this trip was a real lesson in culture and art – blended with great fun and memories which the students of Primary School Savremena are sure to cherish for years to come.