Cultural site: Site Gradina

History

The site of the garden in the village of Postenje near Novi Pazar is located in the center of Raska Parish. Historical data indicate that old Arsa was located there. It is believed that the site originated in the Early Iron Age, VI century. Serbian medieval texts testify that Peter's Church was located 'on Wednesday in Ras'.

During the Byzantine rule, there was an episcopal seat, according to the data of the charter of Emperor Basil II from May 1020. Excavations in Novi Pazarska Banja have confirmed that this is an early Christian church seat.

Cultural site details

Gradina is located 11 km from Novi Pazar near the monastery Sopoćani. The fortification is located on the top of a mountain ridge and has the shape of an irregular quadrangle 180m long and 20 to 60m wide. One side of the fortification goes along the top of the ridge since the terrain collapses at a great slope, so access from that side is almost impossible. The other side stretches on a gentle slope and it is reinforced with four smaller towers and one large one. The ramparts 1.5 to 2.2 m thick are built of crushed stone and lime mortar. Inside the fort was a castle that leaned against the largest tower. the city was entered through two gates on the west and south sides. The main gate was located on the west side and was defended by two semicircular towers of unequal dimensions. This appearance of the fortification was most likely given around 1149. Since 1979, the garden has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.Preliminary archeological excavations were carried out at the Gradina site in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

Thanks to TN "Ras", the road to the hillfort has been breached, so that now you can reach the arranged path that starts from the Tourist Resort "Ras" in the length of 950m.