Oplenac & Royal winery

Orašac represents a pivotal site in Serbian history, a place where crucial decisions were made that arguably led to the existence of Serbia today. This tour will take us through the museum, church, and the assembly site of the early insurgents. Our next destination is the jewel of Šumadija, the hill of Oplenac. Historically strewn with crooked oak trees used by locals for wagon parts, Oplenac today is the resting place of Serbian kings. 

Not far from Topola, on a rocky and wooded elevation, stands the magnificent Church of Saint George the Victorious, named after the leader of the First Serbian Uprising and founder of the royal Karađorđević dynasty. Only by walking through these historic grounds can one begin to understand the centuries-old Serbian quest for freedom and independence. Alongside historical tales of our brave ancestors, the refined taste of royal wine will complete the day for all enthusiasts of this divine beverage.

The day trip starts at 9:00 AM from the parking lot near the Museum of Yugoslavia (House of Flowers). After a short drive through the rolling hills of Šumadija, dominated by Mount Kosmaj, we arrive in Orašac. Here, we will visit the monument to Vozd Karađorđe and the commemorative school nearby. Close to the school is the mid-19th-century Church of the Ascension. Marićevića Jaruga, now a memorial dedicated to the First Serbian Uprising, once served as a covert meeting spot for the bravest insurgents. It was here on St. Sava’s Day in 1804 that the decision was made to appoint the fearless Đorđe Petrović as their leader, whose descendants today are known as the Karađorđević dynasty.

After soaking in the tales of fear and bravery, our journey continues to Oplenac, passing through the town under Bukulja where the famous Bukovička Spa is located. We proceed through the longest street in Aranđelovac and head towards Topola, a small town that once held a central role during the era of “first” freedom. On the hill of Oplenac stands the Church of Saint George, which also serves as the mausoleum for the Karađorđević dynasty. King Peter I began its construction in 1910.

This magnificent temple, built in the Serbian-Byzantine style from white Venčac marble, houses a crypt where 24 members of the royal family rest, while the upper part of the church contains the graves of Karađorđe and his grandson, King Peter I. The church’s external beauty belies the 3,500 square meters of mosaics inside, which will captivate you with their colors and the harmony of their compositions, inspired by frescoes from 60 Serbian medieval monasteries. Over 40 million mosaic tiles in 15,000 shades make this one of the most beautiful modern Orthodox churches in the world. Next to the church is King Peter’s house, now an art gallery and the office of the endowment. Close to Oplenac, in the center of Topola, stands Karađorđe’s town with the old church and a museum dedicated to the First Serbian Uprising.

Our Oplenac and Royal Vinery tour continues to the southern sunny slopes of Oplenac, home to the royal winery, established by King Alexander I in 1930 to European standards. Surrounding the winery were 1,500 hectares of beautifully arranged vineyards, cultivating numerous indigenous and French grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Gamay, and Pinot Noir. This modern winery, once equipped with oak barrels, was among the best equipped in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. 

After World War II, the complex was neglected but has been revitalized since the late 20th century, slowly returning to the map as a producer of wines worthy of the “Royal Winery” title. The Oplenac Harvest is a significant annual event celebrated in Topola every October. After touring the winery, we return to Belgrade, concluding our program.