Welcome to Knezevo
The municipality of Knezevo is located on a forest plateau in the northwest slopes of mountain Vlasic. The rich history of this area is witnessed by the existence of many wooden churches in the vicinity (most notably the church of St. Elijah and church of St. Nicholas). They are recognized as cultural heritage. The most attractive parts of touristic offer here are forest areas, mountain streams and clear air.
Due to a very positive influence and quality of the oxygen, this area is considered a clean air resort. Additionally, mountain rivers and streams are ideal for fishing.
Rivers Ugar, Ilomska and Duboka are suitable for both swimming and fishing, while hunting lovers can practice their favorite activities on the hunting grounds with small and large animals.
Culture
In the municipality area there are traces of monuments from the Bogomil period – stecak stones, vertical stone slabs painted with images and reliefs (villages Bastina, Mramorije in Kobilja and on Barice, village Borak). We can also find a WWII period monument in the Ugar river canyon, while the most valuable national treasures are the 4 Serbian Orthodox churches (Imljani, Javorani, Zivinice and Knezevo).
Especially significant among them are the wooden churches in villages Imljani (the church of St. Elijah which holds a valuable relic known as the “old man’s stick”, believed to be St. John the Baptist’s stick), and in Javorani (the church of St. Nicholas). Both were built in the Ottoman period.
The church in Javorani is under protection as an important historical monument. At the confluence of Ilomska to Ugar we can see the remains of the medieval fort Ostrica. There are also remains of a caravan road in the Ugar river canyon, and right above the river’s confluence there is a waterfall called Veliki Buk. Even during its highest water level, you can cross to the other bank under the waterfall with no issues.
Nature
At the altitude of 861m, surrounded by conifer forests, open slopes, pastures and plateaus, lies this resort of clean air with unspoiled nature all around it. The forests are abundant with wild animals – wolves, bores, bears, foxes, while rivers Ugar and Ilomska have a vast population of trout, grayling and huchen.
Adventure
A championship in fly fishing is held here every year. For those who like adventure too, Ugar is a true challenge. This river with its many overfalls has recently become very attractive for rafting and canoeing.
Ilomska, right tributary of Ugar, hides many whirls and waterfalls in its canyon. Waterfall Badanj stands out, out of which the water falls from around 40m of height, forming a small lake of around 20m in diameter. No less beautiful is the river Cvrcka, whose canyon is also home to wild animals. Special attraction here is brown bear hunting. With its many waterfalls, cascades, steep rocks and natural slides, this locality is a true challenge to all canoeing lovers. The valley of Cvrcka is suitable for hiking, as there is a hiking path all along the canyon with picturesque landscapes and authentic water mills. Two famous caves can be found here: Otlovica and Lednica. Their interior is decorated with so called cave jewelry – stalactites and stalagmites, which have been forming through centuries under the influence of water.
Gastro
Vlasic cheese, the most recognizable delicacy of this mountain area, is considered one of the best sorts of white cheese preserved in whey. This cheese is originally made from fresh unpasteurized sheep milk, right after milking. It is mostly made in cheese producing mountain cottages (katuns) and left to mature for 2-3 months. However, Vlasic cheese can also be made from cow milk, for those who find sheep milk too strong.
River Ugar canyon
River Ugar used to be called Brzica (Quick river) until 1878, and rightfully so. Ugar is right tributary of Vrbas and originates in Vlasic mountain on around 1550m of altitude. After a short canyon, the river enters a bigger and deeper one below Knezevo (500m deep in some parts), and leaves it at the end before flowing into Vrbas. By descending down the canyon, you will see two magnificent waterfalls (Ugrica and Lukinice). In the middle of the canyon there is a very tight part (1m in diameter) called Tisno. Both banks of Ugar tell a similar legend about a woman that lived there. She was beautiful, but blasphemous. She didn’t respect the saints. On one patron saint day, she was doing some house chores. When she was warned, she laughed if off, saying curse words about the patron saint. Suddenly, a great storm appeared, which pushed the woman up to the top of the canyon, where she started falling down towards the abyss rapidly. She stopped at the foothill of Sokolina, where she was turned to stone. Now she spends her alone days in the wilderness, surrounded by silence.
River Ilomska
This fairytale-like natural attraction conceals two magnificent waterfalls, along the Travnik-Knezevo road. The bigger waterfall is 40m high, and there is a smaller one, equally eye catching to visitors. Their altitudes are 750 and 780 meters. They are also joined by a few smaller cascades in the middle and upper stream of the river. Two tunnels connected with a bridge intersect the canyon of Ilomska. You pass through them on your way to Big and Small waterfall.
River Cvrcka
Cvrcka is the longest left tributary of Vrbas. It originates in the northeast slopes of Cemernica, at the watershed with Jakotina and a few streams that flow into Ugar. With its many waterfalls, cascades, steep cliffs and natural slides, this location is very exciting for canoeing lovers. The Crvrcka valley is suitable for hiking too, as there is a hiking path all along the canyon with picturesque landscapes and authentic water mills.
After one of the tributaries – Bukovica, Cvrcka enters a deep, steep and inaccessible canyon on the west. That canyon is up to 400m deep in some parts. Its canyon stream has a series of cascade whirlpools, and towards the end (under Hrastik village) there is an attractive Vilenska spring. It is a source with strong streams of water falling onto the right canyon ridge. Back in the 1960s, there were around 30 watermills on Cvrcka.
Vilenska spring
A place where fairies unweave their swirling hair and meet highlanders – Vilenska Vrela waterfall
The nature toyed with everything it has and created an image you will deem unreal on the first gaze. Water falls down the rocks, prancing and sprinkling drops that find their way into Cvrcka.
