Reconstruction of medieval town near Kraljevo in the pipeline

After nearly thirty years, Maglič, a medieval town near Kraljevo, may be reconstructed again.

- Our idea is to offer the project for revitalization of Maglič to Kraljevo's partner town of Lion in France, and then we could apply together for the grant of one of European funds – Mirjana Prodanović, the Head of the Department for Project Management and Local Economic Development of Kraljevo, told "eKapija".

Since Maglič is the town where king Uroš brought French princess Helen of Anjou, people in Kraljevo hope that Lion may be interested in such project because of that ancient French-Serbian connection.

According to Ms. Prodanović, 45,000 EUR would be enough for elaboration of the first phase of the project, the works on rehabilitation that are necessary and can not be postponed, and for elaboration of the project documentation for access paths.

Since there is no bridge in that location at the moment, the access is made difficult to all people who would like to visit Maglič. Construction of walking paths within the town is also in the pipeline.

Once the funds for elaboration of the project are obtained from the potential investors, Kraljevo will be able to apply for further financing of the whole reconstruction.

Maglič is situated 24 kilometers to the south of the center of Kraljevo, in settlement Bogutovac, in the vicinity of spa resort Bogutovačka Banja. It is settled on the top of the hill, of which three sides are surrounded by the Ibar river. The Ibarska main route, which was refurbished in 2005, runs close to that location.

There is a large parking lot with a fountain and accompanying tourist-catering facilities in the vicinity of that location, so that large number of buses stop near the town.

In mid-2006, the fortress was temporarily closed for visitors because the wooden platforms in the towers were rotten. The fortress is lit by night, which draws even greater attention of the passers-by.

That fortress is now in ruins. Much work is required, especially on wooden sections.

Major conservation works were carried out in the late 1980's when wooden stairs, fences, floors and wooden balcony on the 8th tower were built. All efforts aimed at stopping dillapidation and finishing reconstruction of the fortress were stopped with the breakup of SFRY.

(Mirjana Prodanović)

- Once it is reconstructed, Maglič will be put in the function of tourism. In that way, we will make connection between the cultural-historical estate and the neighboring population who mainly put their capacities in the function of rural tourism – the Head of the Department for Project Management and Local Economic Development told "eKapija".

This region has a special attraction called "Veseli Spust", which is organized at the foot of Maglič and attracts more and more people every year. Rafting tours of the Ibar river most usually end in the vicinity of the town on the lido or stop there for a break, which contributes to even greater tourist attractivity of Maglič.