Novi Pazar » Novi Pazar | 91 The coldest settlement OntheedgeofthePešterplateau, around tenkilometres fromthe borderwithMontenegro, lies thevillage ofKarajukićaBunari,whichisclassed as the coldest place inSerbia and the former Yugoslavia, where temperatures candrop toas lowasminus 40. Accordingtometeorological analyses conductedintheSjenicabasinandon the Peštera plateau, the accumulating and retaining of the cold air that descends from surrounding mountains causes temperature inversions, resulting in extremely cooled air being trapped at the bottomof the basinandcausing lowtemperatures. In the Cer foothills below Trajan Fortress near Karajukića Bunari, in the spot where a lake still remains and where the air is at its coldest, ChristianOrthodox followers believe that SaintGeorgekilled thedragon,while Muslims believe that great deedwas done by Alija Đerzelez. Sopoćani Monastery Built at the very source of the birthof theSerbianstate,17kmfrom today’s Novi Pazar, Sopoćani Monastery is a structure with elements that are important inmultipleways. From the history aspect, this building recalls the presence of the rulers of Serbia’s greatest medieval dynasty, theNemanjićDynasty.Themonastery was founded by King Stefan Uroš I, son of King Stefan the FirstCrowned, who built the first church herearoundtheyear1260.Aseriesof other rulers subsequently upgraded themonastery, which is today a veritable treasure troveof unique fresco paintingandamausoleumof theroyal family. Itsmultifacetedvalueshave led to this monastery being included on the list of world cultural heritage.Themost distinctive featureof Sopoćani are its fresco compositions that were created in the classic style of antiquity by themost prominent artists of Constantinople. Petar’s church, Stari Ras Stari Ras is a fortified medieval complex of monuments located at a crossroads where the main routes fromwest and south joined to head further eastwards. Its ruins remain at the site ofGradina, which is located near Sopoćani Monastery, some 11 km west of Novi Pazar. Petar’sChurch inRas represents theoldestmonumentofchurcharchitectureonthe territoryof Serbiaand was the original seat of the Bishopric of Ras. The church is located just two kilometres north of Novi Pazar city centre and is believed - according to written records identified so far - to date back to the 8th century, though it is probably even older. Altun-AlemMosque The Altun-Alem Mosque was constructed during the first half of the16th centurybyOttomanmason MuslihuddinAbdulGhani,who is responsible for the creation of many buildings in the Balkans. This mason is assumed to have been very wealthy, given that he constructed somanybuildings, andwas alsovery well educated. Đurđevi Stupovi Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery is dedicatedtoSt.Georgeandwasbuilt in 1171 at the behest of great prefect Stefan Nemanja. His founder’s inscriptiondatingbackto1170/1171 is one of the few datedmonuments from the era and represents an important testimony to thebeginnings of Serbian literacy. Đurđevi Stupovi isdistinctive thanks to itsspecificposition, at thevery topof aprominent rise, and its authentic architecture: withtwotowers (stupas), afterwhich both the church and monastery are named. KingDragutin is recordedas thesecondfounderof themonastery, having ordered the building of the monastery chapel and the painting of its narthex. Đurđevi Stupovi represents a structure that includednumerous architectural and constructional innovations for the period. Udaljena tridesetak kilometara od Novog Pazara, Golija je idealno mesto za sve koji traže mir i beg od gradske gužve Located around 30 kilometres fromNovi Pazar, Golija mountain is the ideal destination for everyone seeking to flee the hustle and bustle of the city and find peace FOTO: RAS / MITAR MITROVIĆ FOTO: MICHAEL RUNKE / PROFIMEDIA
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