Bajina Basta - the story about the wonder mountain, the beautifull river and the jewel town
The region in western Serbia, just along the river Drina and dominated by mountain Tara, has also been known as th| region of Raca (pronounced as "racha"). It consists of 37 settlements and 29 local communities within the administrative borders of Bajina Basta municipality. Covering the surface of 670 square kilometers and with population of 30.0001 inhabitants, it used to be a peripheral, undeveloped area, but over the course of years it became an outstanding Serbian center of forestry, electrical industry and tourism.

The name Raca region originally came from the time of liberation uprisings against the Turkish rule and later, wheri administrative division into districts was done, the District of Raca got its name after the Raca Monastery situated close to the river Drina. Its first headquarters were in Rogacica and Uzice and then in 1858 they were moved to Bajina Basta.

For a long time symbols of Bajina Basta and the Raca region had been their fir lumber from Tara, the rafters on the river Drina, as well as the well-known tobacco brand called "Bajinovac". One of the most beautiful and preserved areas of th country had been out of public sight until the botanist Pancic discovered the Serbian spruce on Tara in 1875. Half a century later, the first tourists and the true nature lovers became its regular visitors.

Between the two World Wars it was possible to stay in two small but comfortable hotels "Bosna" and "Evropa". At the same time there were two rest homes on Tara at Kaludjerske bare and Sljivovica which could be reached from Kremna railway station. "The management of the Raca Monastery resort", placed in Bajina Basta, would send a horse-driven carriage to fetch the guests who had already sent a word of their arrival, so that they could get to their destination in two hours. However, since the river Drina's powerful potential has become the center of attention, visitors and tourists choose to come to Bajina Basta via Valjevo and Uzice.

Time didn't make any damage to the ancient gifts of nature. The dams of hydroelectric power plants in Perucac, with their artificial lakes on the river Drina and on Tara mountain, have just completed the postcard of the Raca region. Eventually, Tara was officially proclaimed a national park. With its surface area of 19.200 ha, the National Park Tara covers of the largest part of this beautiful and powerfull mountain.

In Serbia which doesn't have enough coniferous forests, this area is one of the last f oases of almost all autonomic coniferous trees. The symbol of more than a thousand plant species is certainly the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). Within the rich, best-preserved hunting grounds, the excepional attention is given to protection of | the bear, roe-deer and chamois, as well as it is to the huchen in the Drina. The water currents of the National Park Tara are enriched by more than ten fish species, while a number of fine views from the cliffs of the Drina canyon and the gorges of the Raca and Derventa rivers leave a special impression. The famous juniper brandy, popular called "BB kleka", then mushrooms, the trout and game are the privilege of the caterers of this area. Biodiversity, cultural and historical monuments« and several tourist centers within the National Park Tara are the basis of the tourist offer of the Raca region.

There are some traces of the Neolitic Age, the Roman sacrificial altars and necropolis, which were left here by other cultures. The ruins of the ancient town Solotnik, the log cabin Church in the village Dub and Raca Monastery are the important part of the Serbian cultural legacy. Kaludjerske bare and the hotels "Omorika" (spruce), "Javor" (maple) and "Beli bor" (white pine), as well as Mitrovac with its children rest-home, are the representative tourist destination wich offer swimming pools, skii-lifts and sport facilities.

In the near vicinity of the river Drina, Bajina Basta(prounce as Bayina Bashta) with its population of 12.000 inhabitants, has its own place in tourism of our community. The "Drina" hotel and the Sports-Tourist Center "Bajina Basta" are expecting the most from the recreation and fishing tourism. Sporting, tourist, recreation and cultural events are just one segment of the local tradition. The "Drina" hotel is the traditional host to the Athletic camp of the forthcoming Olympic hopes in athletics called "Olimpijske node", as well as to the well known motor car rally-races and also to the events such as the Days of huchen fishing, The Drina Regata, the Days of Raca by the Drina and the Art colony. Moreover, it is the triple, absolute "Champion of quality" at The Hunting, Fishing, Sport and Tourism Fair (oka "LORIST") which is annually held in Novi Sad.

Variety is the essential feature of our local tourist offer. For decades, the region of Raca has had its outstanding place on the tourist maps of the District of Zlatibor and Serbia.

WELCOME!

Please contact us for more information on office@stc-bajinabasta.com

Here you can watch video about what Bajina Basta can offer(sorry it has no subtitle in english)