Full-Day Private Royal Heritage Tour to Oplenac With a Winery Visit
Description
Dreams That Came True: The Legacy of Supreme Leader Karadjordje and His Grandson King Peter I This is one of the most popular tours south of Belgrade, into the very “heart of Serbia” — the pleasant region of Šumadija. For five centuries, the Serbian people longed for freedom from Ottoman rule. In 1804, one courageous man, Karadjordje (“George the Black”), led the uprising that turned this dream into reality. A century later, his grandson became King Peter I of Serbia — a visionary monarch who built one of the most impressive royal mausoleums: the magnificent Church of Saint George, famed for its breathtaking mosaics. This program offers a profound insight into Serbia’s royal heritage and the enduring legacy of the Karadjordjević Dynasty.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit the Monument to the Unknown Hero, a renowned work by Ivan Meštrović, the famous Yugoslav sculptor. Built on a mountain peak (511 m), it offers excellent views of the rolling hills of the Šumadija region in central Serbia. Make a photo stop at one of Belgrade’s landmarks — the Avala TV Tower. At 204.68 meters, it is the tallest structure in the Balkans, and its architectural design makes it unique in the world.
Karadjordje’s Town Once a fortified residence of Karadjordje — the courageous liberator and founder of the Royal House of Karadjordjević — today it houses the Museum of the First Serbian Uprising, along with the small but very interesting Church of Our Lady (1813). Saint George’s Church – The Royal Mausoleum Built after WWI by King Peter I Karadjordjević, this monumental yet extraordinarily beautiful structure was envisioned as the Royal Family Mausoleum. Seven rulers rest here: Supreme Leader Karadjordje, Prince Alexander, King Peter I, King Alexander I, Queen Mother Maria, Queen Alexandra, and King Peter II. Constructed in the tradition of Serbian medieval architecture, the church is most famous for its breathtaking mosaics: 725 painted compositions containing around 1,500 figures. The mosaics cover 3,500 square meters (38,000 sq. ft) and are composed of 40 million pieces of glass in 15,000 different color shades, creating a uniquely vivid and detailed artistic impression.
Visit the Royal Oplenac Winery, or Optional: Take a short 15-minute drive to the Aleksandrović family wine cellar, renowned as keepers of the royal winemaking tradition. Some of their wines are still crafted according to original royal recipes. The visit includes a wine tasting and demonstration.
Optional: Enjoy lunch in the nearby town of Aranđelovac, at a restaurant whose interior is fully dedicated to the Royal House of Karadjordjević. The walls are adorned with dozens of authentic photographs and portraits, creating a unique royal atmosphere. Guests are treated to excellent local gastronomy and fine wines.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Live commentary is provided in English language by default. Other languages can be arranged upon request.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Pick-up from the hotel is organized 10 minutes before the tour start time - 09:00 am
Reviews(5)
This is one of the most educational and rewarding days one can have! Srdjan is a fountain of knowledge about many things, but particularly about the history of this land and its people. If you are looking to expand your understanding of the world, this is for you. Highly recommended!
Prepare to learn more and see more than you imagined you ever could in one day. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge
Ada, a very comforting park, including the Danube beaches, sports areas, restaurants, park, barbeque areas, a train to save the long distance walking.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Serbian royal heritage tour with Srdjan. We did the tour to Novi Sad three years ago on our first visit to Belgrade, so we wanted to see another part of Serbia and learn more about the history of the country of Serbia and it’s people. The first stop of the tour at the Avala TV tower was fun, offering beautiful views of the Sumadija countryside. The church of St. George was absolutely stunning. The mosaics were the most beautiful we have seen anywhere in the world. Even the basement of the church was filled with mosaics. We learned a lot about the royal family of Serbia, and the history Yugoslavia and the Serbian people. Srdjan was very patient and answered all of our questions! Finally, we stopped at Aleksandar’s for a delicious lunch. We highly recommend any of the Explore-Belgrade tours!
