Swiss village in Niska Banja - Lutecia Invest plans to build ethnic complex, spa center and restaurant

(future look of the complex)

As the things are now, Niska Banja spa resort is not going to get an Italian aqua park, but it could obtain a "Swiss village." The owner of the company Lutecia Invest, a man from Nis who has been living in the West for years, wants to have an one-of-the-kind ethnic complex built on a hill near the spa.

Lutecia has bought a land, acquired designs and, what is the most important, prepared the money. However, construction has not started yet because it turns out that the local government is unwilling to really get to work. Namely, this land lot is still not connected to the electric grid and it is unknown when that will be done. Therefore, an investment that would enable the Nis region to offer its guests something new and interesting is on hold and awaits some better days.

- We've done what was up to us to do. The project is completed, we have the money, and that is not the problem. However, the land lot we've bought still has no electricity connection. Without that, we cannot start the construction, and the option to finance the construction of substation and other necessary power facility by ourselves is out of question because that requires a lot of money - Miroslav Conic, co-owner of Lutecia Invest, explains to eKapija.

Our interlocutor was born in Nis, but he has been living in Switzerland for years. His two partners are also people from Serbia who lived and worked in the West. As he says, he decided to have this complex built because his hometown, unlike many other places in Serbia he's visited, has not offered tourists anything new over the last few years.

- I've been to Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Sokobanja, Vrujci, Vrnjacka Banja... and I am delighted with what these destinations have to offer. However, Niska Banja and this whole area lag behind them when it comes to tourist offer. Not only does it lack an ethnic village, but there is also no decent swimming pool, let alone an aqua park or something similar - says our interlocutor.

He got the idea for the future complex while watching idyllic Alpine houses, so that all facilities in Niska Banja will be built in that style. That's where the name comes from - Swiss Village.

According to the plan, Swiss Village, which will be spanning 2,200 square meters, will have a reception building with a reception desk in its front part for tourists to check in. Also, this facility in the first section of the ethnic village will feature a large restaurant and a spa center with hot tubs and other amenities for relaxation and rest. The spa center should also comprise a massage parlor.

A tourist accommodation section will be situated in the back of the complex. As our interlocutor explains, the plan is to build about twenty wooden bungalows "in the Swiss style." All of these houses will be spacious and bright.

- We will use exclusively natural materials - wood, stone and glass, because we want the construction to be healthy and environmentally clean. Niska Banja is not polluted, it has a clean air, peace and quiet, and tourists could really enjoy their time in Swiss Village.

Bungalows will be built on several different levels on the hill. Stairs and paths connecting the houses will also be made of stone and won't disturb the natural look of the complex.

- Lutecia Invest did not buy the land lot in Niska Banja just to buy it, but because it has a concrete plan and an idea what to do with it. We really intend to have this ethnic complex built. We will not give up the investment, despite all obstacles, and I hope we will manage to solve the problems with the Power Supply Company and implement the project – says Conic.

Our interlocutor hopes that new authorities in Nis will be more willing to support their idea, as well as the ideas of other investors who want to come to this area.

Magnificent view

Swiss Village will be situated on the right side of the hill near Niska Banja, some 600 meters away from Srbija hotel.

The place where the complex should be built offers a magnificent view of Nis, highway to Bulgaria and the hill Vinik where a big cross is planned to be erected on the occasion of celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Edict of Milan in 2013.

The author of a preliminary design for Swiss Village complex is Nis-based Kapaprojekt.

Miroslav Conic says that this ethnic complex is only the first part of what they intend to build in this area.

- Aside from the land lot for the ethnic village, we've also bought another large lot in its vicinity. Our intention is to expand the complex and build some additional facilities in the future.

Europe's oldest spa resort

Niska Banja is said to be the oldest spa resort in Europe, famous from the time of ancient Romans.

Thermal waters in Niska Banja come from five springs - Glavno Vrelo, Suva Banja, Skolska Cesma, Banjica and Pasjaca. They are good in the treatment of various diseases - osteoporosis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as for the recovery after a hip, knee or an open heart surgery.

M.S.