These Serbian fun facts are sure to whet your appetite before you head off and enjoy everything this beautiful and cultural country has to offer.
We all know that Serbia is a beautiful Balkan country, and it is becoming more and more open to tourists as the years go on. Belgrade, the capital city, is one of the most architecturally wonderful cities you’ll visit, but what else do you need to know about Serbia as a whole?
We’re not talking about language, currency, and electricity conversions here; we’re talking about the interesting stuff, the stuff that you don’t find with a simple Google search!
You’re in luck if you’re hungry for more knowledge about Serbia!
Check Out These Fun Facts About Serbia!
1. Serbia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of raspberries, and in the year 2012, Serbia was responsible for almost 95% of the world’s raspberries!
2. One-fifth of the ancient rulers of Rome were born on what is now Serbian soil
3. This is a Serbia fact for kids – There is a river called Year, and it is called that because it is 365 meters long!
4. Forget the Swiss clock; Serbia is the site of the clock invention, around 200 years before anywhere else
5. Gostusa is a village on Mount Stara Planina, and it is made of only natural products, such as stone and mud; yes, people do live there!
6. The Vinatovaca Rainforest is more than 350 years old, and it is forbidden to touch or cut down any part of it
7. Head to the Testice River Canyon if you can’t afford to head to America, as it looks exactly like the Colorado River Canyon!
8. Serbia is home to the largest gorge in Europe, the Derdap Gorge
9. Fancy some nightlife? Head to Belgrade; Lonely Planet has been voted as the city with the best nightlife on the planet!
10. The Prerasts of Vratna are situated in Serbia and are the tallest stone gates in Europe
11. A Serbia history fact you might not know – Serbia produced some of the most famous inventors, scientists, and chemists from history, including Pupin, Milankovic, Marie, and Karadzic, to name a few
12. Serbia is home to a mountain which is shaped like a pyramid – Mount Rtanj. Nobody is sure why it is this shape, but there are a few theories that it is an alien mothership that landed thousands of years in the past
13. Coffee is a bit deal in Serbia; in fact, you will find most locals drink it in abundance
14. The language of Serbia was used during the Ottoman Empire as an official language
15. The world’s first vampire? Do you think it’s Dracula? Wrong! The first vampire was Peter Blagojevic, from Serbia
16. Head to the Tisza River in June and watch the blooming of the Tisza River. It is here that the Palingenia Longicauda, an insect, will dance on the top of the water.
17. Three Serbian nationals took part in the first moon landing
18. Serbia is landlocked – no beach time here, sorry!
19. In 1992, Serbia joined forces with Montenegro as a union, but they became independent once more in 2006
20. The word ‘Serbia’ actually comes from the Greeks and means and of the Serbs’
21. There are five national parks in Serbia, and they are all beautiful
22. Serbia is tiny and is smaller than South Carolina in the USA!
23. Serbia’s highest point is 2169 meters, and the lowest is 35 meters
24. Serbia regularly experiences earthquakes
25. An interesting Serbia fact here – for every female in Serbia, there are 0.95 men.
26. For every 100 people, Serbia has 130 mobile connections, and 40 landline connections
27. Only half of the population in Serbia uses the internet
28. Most last names in Serbia end in ‘ić.’
29. Serbians are amongst some of the most welcoming and hospitable people in the world. As an interesting Serbian cultural fact, locals believe that they will not receive luck or favors from the Gods if they don’t treat their guests well
30. Serbia aims to look after the planet and recently built the first wind powerhouse, called the Kula Wind Farm. They are aiming to reach 500 MW of wind capacity by the year 2020
31. Serbia’s official name is the Republic of Serbia
32. Serbia shares land borders with several countries, including Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and Romania!
33. The Serbian Dinar is the official currency, although you’ll find many other currencies accepted, including Euros and Dollars
34. Belgrade might be considered a party capital nowadays, but throughout history, it has been a vital trade crossing between east and west Europe
35. Serbia has a 30% landmass of forests
36. There are 70 different species of mammals in Serbia, including bears
37. There are many monasteries throughout Serbia, some dating back to the 12th century. If you’re asking ‘what is Serbia famous for?’, monasteries are certainly one thing!
38. White Angel is a famous fresco found in the Mileseva Monastery. This also features the first broadcast of a satellite signal between Europe to America
39. The oldest Serbian manuscript on UNESCO record is Miroslav’s Gospel, dating back to 1180
40. The Palace of Galerius features the Gamzigrad-Romuliana complex and dates back to the late 3rd century
41. Nikola Tesla is from Serbia – or so Serbians claim. Croatia also claims him as a Croat.
42. The most expensive cheese in the world is made from donkey milk in Serbia called Pule. It costs $576 for 1lb of cheese!
43. The Roman Empire, Constantine the Great, was born in Niš, Serbia, in 274 AD
44. Located in Cacak, you will find the Old Downtown Church. This has been turned into a mosque ten times – a record!
45. The Danube runs through Serbia and is the longest river in the country
46. You will find the Cyrillic alphabet and the Latin alphabet, both used in Serbia
47. Slava is a big deal in Serbia and is the day of a feast to commemorate a patron saint
48. You will find trees bought for New Year, rather than Christmas, in Serbia
49. If someone shakes your hand, it is vital to make eye contact as a good-will gesture
50. Belgrade’s capital city is one of the oldest in Europe, with at least 7000 years of history found through excavations. You’ll also find Bronze Age artifacts here, including Starcevo and Vinca cultures.
51. Serbia’s landscapes are fantastic. Devil’s Town comprises more than 200 natural rock towers, and Derdap Gorge is the largest in Europe.
52. Belgrade’s Church of Saint Sava is one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, dating back to 1935. It is also a significant symbol of religion across the Balkans.
Use these Serbian facts to whet your appetite before heading off and enjoying everything this beautiful and cultural country has to offer.
Under #11 you forgot the most important inventor of all, NIKOLA TESLA!