In this episode of Balkan Trip, we visit Zlatibor, Serbia's top mountain destination, where visitors can experience local traditions from handmade Sirogojno sweaters to delicious regional cuisine.
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00:00Welcome to Balkan Trip. Today we are taking you to Zlatibor, one of the favorite tourist destinations in Serbia, a place where nature meets tradition.
00:18Zlatibor is about 230 km southwest of Belgrade, but first we go to the old village of Sirogojno, known for its cultural heritage and old crafts.
00:28We will find out how famous gem of Sirogojno is made, which once decorated fashionable streets all over the world.
00:34After that we will present authentic cuisine of this area.
00:38Of course, join me on this fun and unforgettable journey and find out why Zlatibor is a favorite tourist destination for all nature lovers, good food and authentic culture.
00:50Zlatibor
00:56In the western part of Serbia, 26 km from Zlatibor, there is only open museum, old village of Sirogojno.
01:04This ethno-village is spread on about five hectares and here there are fountains that are brought from all parts of Zlatibor, to be preserved and presented to public.
01:14By the way, this ethno-village is a kind of indicator of how Serbia lived in 19th century, from the beginning of 20th century.
01:26From these objects we have formed a village.
01:30One of the most important is Zološka postavka.
01:33It is made by two complete rural households.
01:36The most important object in the household is the main house.
01:41It is an object in which the family used to gather, negotiate, receive guests on special occasions, like Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas.
01:51The most important thing for the family happens in the main house.
01:58Even more significant, especially for Stravica, are jampers of authentic design.
02:05Sirogojno jampers are known for their recognizable traditional motifs, which represent rich cultural heritage of western Serbia.
02:13How long does it take to make one jamper?
02:16One jamper takes about seven days.
02:19For example, for a jacket it takes 15 days.
02:22How much wool is needed for one jamper?
02:25For one jamper, about 800 grams.
02:28For a jacket?
02:29For a jacket, from 1 kg to 1,5 kg.
02:33I try this.
02:36It doesn't work for me, but I can show you.
02:40Like this.
02:44First, it is pulled through this thread, then this wool is put like this, then it is pulled through this.
02:51And it stays on this thread?
02:53Yes, it stays on this thread.
02:55This end is always held here, so that you can control it.
02:59And then you tighten it?
03:01Yes.
03:02Great, we would learn it quickly.
03:06These jampers could often be seen on fashion sites.
03:10Many prestigious awards for quality, original design and unique way of making were given to the family of Zlatibor region.
03:17Jampers were worn and are worn by many famous personalities.
03:21The models of raw material style were worn by famous ladies of the world,
03:26from Nancy Reagan, Raisa Gorbachev, Liv Ullman, Queen Elizabeth,
03:33President of Iceland, to our Jelena Djokovic, Novak Djokovic and many others.
03:40Jampers and Syrogojno could sometimes be bought in airplanes of the Yugoslav Airlines,
03:46and today this brand, in addition to online sales, is represented at the Belgrade airport Nikola Tesla.
03:52You will agree that there is no better place where you can see and understand the way
03:57people of this part of Serbia used to live from the old village of Syrogojno.
04:01In this area you can certainly have a good rest, and you can bring home handcrafted part of Zlatibor area.
04:11Now, we go back to Zlatibor, the most visited mountain in Serbia.
04:19During the whole year there are tourists on Zlatibor, and of course, when there is an offer of various and rich.
04:25But, we will not talk about that today, but we will taste something that this area is also famous for.
04:31Here you can still hear the sounds of a miller who grinds flour and continue the tradition of making kachamak from white corn flour.
04:40In the villages of housewives they prepare the most delicious series of kajmak.
04:44But, what I have chosen for you today is a Zlatibor specialty, a set of pastries.
04:49What goes into this set of pastries?
04:52So, we have homemade pastries, kajmak from our cows, eggs and after baking we add spices.
04:58Can I prepare that?
05:00Of course, just follow what I do and make it.
05:02Let's go!
05:12This is a set of pastries that I made.
05:16Now, I will taste it.
05:18There is no knife or fork.
05:20I will turn the entrance.
05:22You tilt it a little forward and dip it.
05:26See?
05:32Perfect!
05:34That's why it's called a set of pastries.
05:36A complete meal.
05:38When you are already in Zlatibor, be sure to visit the gondola, which is unique in the world.
05:44The gold gondola is unique because it is the longest panoramic one-segment gondola in the world.
05:50It connects the center of the mountain with the highest peak of Tornik,
05:53passing over the Ribnick lake, where the interstate station is located.
05:57The gondola is 9 km long, with a current maximum capacity of 800 passengers and 72 cabins,
06:04which can accommodate a maximum of 10 people.
06:07The gondola provides an impressive view from the cabin to the landscape of Zlatibor,
06:13which is a completely new perspective of the most visited mountain in Serbia.
06:19This presentation of the Zlatibor region would not be complete,
06:23if we did not look around and see where the traditional Zlatibor ham is made.
06:28It is interesting that a large number of Zlatibor residents decided to process meat,
06:33that is why the best quality pork and beef prosciutto, but also bacon and kulen, come from here.
06:40Now, we will taste and try, we will cut something, so you can see what and how.
06:45The most important is that good raw material, the most important is healthy air
06:49and, of course, the production is the same as in the old times, when our ancestors used to work.
06:55The natural process is based on beech smoke.
06:59Beech smoke is a mixture of beech and pine, along with a little dust and ventilation,
07:04enough air to have, that is the main factor, and, of course, with good raw material, with good meat.
07:09Beef is a grass, which is full of tea, organic grass, does not throw artificial fertilizer,
07:15which is the most important, that's why it's a good final product.
07:19What certainly contributes to their uniqueness is the connection of the Mediterranean and continental climate,
07:24which is specifically pink winds.
07:30And, as we have seen, Zlatibor is a real treasure of Serbian tourism,
07:35offering a perfect combination of natural beauties and modern contents.
07:42That would be all for today's show Balkan trip.
07:45If you are hungry, you know what to do, grow Zlatibor region on the map of your next trip.
07:50With new stories, see you soon!
07:59BALKAN TRIP