The Danube could have been that beautiful elsewhere, but it is not...

When in the ancient times the South Carpathians broke apart and moved away from each others and the powerful water mass of the Pannonian Sea and the Danube flew toward the Black Sea, the Djerdap gorge was created. Maybe it was this event that resulted in a myth about big biblical flood and mysterious Atlantis, but can there possibly be another way to create a miracle of the nature - one of the longest and largest gorges in Europe.

However, when journalists from Serbia visited this part of east Serbia few days ago, they were able to see a brand new image of our country, that is, a forgotten face of Serbia, dating back to the time when a river, ship, untouched nature and wine were enough for any man to have an excellent time and get a rest. No Internet, spa and wellness centers, and away from ringing, running, twitting and chatting.

The Djerdap gorge is the place where the Danube flows between tight rocks, the gorge as little as between 150 and 250 meters wide. Here are Veliki Kazan and Mali Kazan, rising with their steep cliffs up to 300 meters above the gorge, while numerous river swirls plunge to the depth of incredible 93 meters below the water surface. They claim it is the biggest river depth ever measured in Europe. Spacious and peaceful Djerdap Lake and Hajducka Vodenica, the one-of-the-kind port oasis on the Danube, suitable for both docking and fishing, lie next to these rocky giants pressed by the powerful Danube.

Djerdap hotel

Not far away is Djerdap hotel, which entered the new season with "serious" investments". The owners of Djerdap Turist, the company that owns aforementioned hotel, are famous businessmen from this area. Namely, the Bolbotinovic family, led by Zivojin Zika Bolbotinovic, already has Tejikanka market chain in its possession as well.

As we learned, the new owners invested over EUR 2 million in bringing the original splendor back to the hotel.

This season, part of that money was primarily spent on complete renovation of the seventh and eighth floor (hot spot wireless Internet, air conditioning, LCD TV) and opening of a big panorama balcony with 150 seats, as well as on the new air conditioning system and integrated sound system in Golden Hall within the hotel.

Djerdap hotel is situated on the very bank of the Danube, in the center of Kladovo. Because of its height, it dominates the city panorama. If you take a room on the seventh or the eight floor, you will be able enjoy the view of the lake, while the murmur of the Danube will help you feel as if you were at the seaside.

The hotel comprises 137 rooms, 6 suites, 2 restaurants, and a conference hall. More and more companies from Belgrade and other economic centers are deciding to organize their seminars and various kinds of team building events at this place. Also, the citizens of Kladovo are proud of the fact that so many workers organized the Workers' Sports Games in this location.

Cruising the Danube on Djerdap

Another thing that makes Djerdap Turist famous is the ship the company has in its possession. To cruise the Danube for at least one hour means to experience that river in a completely different way. While on the ship, visitors are able to see the historical and cultural monuments of this area.

Trajan's Bridge, the Turkish fortress of Fetislam, Ada Kale- a fortress on Simijan island, Djerdap I hydroelectric power plant, as well as the town beach, are only some of the locations one can see from the covered deck where cocktail parties, business lunches, wine tasting events are becoming frequent. Even when docked at the pier in front of the hotel, the ship-restaurant is very attractive for the organization of various celebrations, and you should not worry about music - the "ship crew" of a modified tamburitza band should not let you down...

There is no moment in history remembering a man showing no admiration for the Djerdap gorge. Abundance of water, forests, diverse and rare flora and fauna, game and favorable climate were attracting the civilizations of ancient Europe. Lepenski Vir, a small fishing and hunting village with tent-like houses and world-famous fish-like sculptures made of boulders from the Danube, serves as a proof of that for 8,000 years.

Famous Roman Emperor Trajan once stood in that place, at the bank of the Danube, dreaming about expanding the Roman Empire across that powerful river and conquering Dakia. Charmed by the beauty of the Danube, he had the summer residence Dijana built on Karatas to enjoy himself every day while an incredible project for that time, a bridge unmatched for thousand years afterwards, was under construction in the neighboring village of Kostl in 105 B.C.

In only two years, famous architect Apolodor from Damask managed to bridge the Danube over 1 km wide by performing a construction miracle. The emperor sent his legions across that bridge to fight wild tribes, but the latter were stronger and pushed Romans back across the river and then burned the wooden structure of the bridge. What is left of that unusual construction undertaking are the built walls on the bank. Unfortunately, the path through the rocks of Kazan, cleared by Romans, has been under water since 1970 when the level of the river rose because of the dam at the hydroelectric power plant, but a Roman memorial plaque (Tabula Traiana) still stands as a witness to the ancient times.

There is a fortress at each end of the gorge. After conquering these areas in Serbia, Turks erected the powerful fortress of Fetislam near Kladovo in 1524 in order to prepare their troops for the march to Vienna. At the other side of the gorge, the old town of Golubac and Babakaj rock tell a sad story about Turkish harems and girl Golubana who was unable to come to terms with the destiny of a harem beauty. Turks tied them to Babakaj rock in the Danube, and the town on the steep bank was later named after her.

(Tabula Traiana)

We should also not forget Djerdap dam, the first hydroelectric power plant built on the Danube. This magnificent facility, the fifth largest in the world, has been visited by over million people since 1972.

Events at Djerdap

There is also Kladovo, offering numerous cultural events during the summer: The Kladovo Summer (June-August), The Djerdap Regatta (late June, Tekija-Kusjak), Zlatna Bucka Djerdapa, an international catfish fishing contest (August, Tekija), TID – International Regatta on the Danube (August), Ethno Festival (the biggest in Serbia - August)

Someone once said: "The Danube could have been that attractive elsewhere, but it is not..."

J.Đ.