You’ll find three towns in one in Velika Plana, a green and pleasant area in Serbia with a rich history and a reputation for rock music. It’s always been an important regional hub in Serbia’s agricultural heartland, but in recent years has developed a strong identity of its own, attracting visitors from across the Balkans and beyond.

Things to do

For two days every July, Velika Plana booms with the sound of rock music. Plana Demo Fest has taken place here annually since 2009, attracting bands and rock lovers from across Europe. Velika Plana explodes with youthful energy, where you can catch a fantastic selection of up-and-coming acts.

Just outside Velika Plana, you’ll find the Pokajnica Monastery.A former parish church that was converted into a monastery, it is now considered to be a Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance. Set in lush gardens, the buildings at Pokajnica Monastery are entirely wooden, where you’ll find the work of Constantine Zograf, an important Serbian painter of the early 19th century.

Centred on the Church of St. Stephen, the Koporin Monastery is much older, dating back to the 1300s. It’s the burial place of Stefan Lazarević, known as Stefan the Tall, the Serbian king who oversaw the introduction of the Renaissance in Serbia, and who was himself a noted writer.

Getting around

Visitors can take the road from nearby Smederevska Palanka to reach Velika Plana, which takes less than 20 minutes to drive. Local buses and minibuses are also available between the two cities, offering a convenient route and the same amount of journey time.