A famous archaeologist from Priboj, Savo Derikonjic, director of the Museum of Priboj, after preliminary research performed in the village of Rutosi, claims that he has come to epoch-making discovery – the remains of the medieval town where the famous Serbian family Vojinovic resided.
Illustration
For what he found, barely visible remains of the medieval walls and fences on the mountain Ostrik, which have always represented the unknown, Derikonjic says they are the remains of the city where family Vojinovic ruled in 13th and 14th century. This family was very close with Nemanjic family.
Derikonjic says that this is really a significant discovery and urges Ministry of Culture and other competent institutions to secure funds for further research and restoration of this medieval Serbian town, which would, according to him, for sure be a true attraction and most important tourist offer not only in Nova Varos and Priboj area, but in the entire south-western Serbia.
“Castle of Vojinovic family in the village of Rutosi, on the mountain Ostrik, provided safety and stability on this part of the caravan route from east to Ras and Morava on one and Dubrovnik and Sarajevo on the other side. They had good natural conditions for defense, but also the economic survival in the quiet valley in this area. Nearby they had sources of thermal water in Priboj Spa and at that time the largest European mine of native copper in Jarmovac, now a suburb of Priboj,” explained archaeologist from Priboj.
On the mountain Ostrik, about an hour’s walk from the village of Rutosi, at an altitude of 1,238 meters, with the rest of the fortress which occupies about three hectares, the city of the Vojinovic family dominates Lim and Uvac valley. In the case of danger Serbian nobility with the army, supplies of food, grain and cattle concealed here.
“The fortress had two stone pools for water, and its defenders could simply received signals from Jagat, old city near Priboj and Kovin, old fortress near Prijepolje, two closest fortresses, which looked over the valley of the river Lim,” said renowned researcher Polimlja.
As a reminder, according to historical data, Vojinovic family ruled Hum and parish Dabar, and nearby monastery St. Nicholas in Priboj Spa near Priboj, was the family’s mausoleum.
Vojinovic family took over founder’s duties and care of the monastery, the endowment of Nemanjic family from the 12th century in 1349, few decades after its first restoration.
Otherwise, the monastery has long been the seat of the Dabar diocese and is known for possessing the richest treasure of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Villagers of Rutosi say that even today in their fields they dig up stone remains of the walls, lime and limestone, but also other items that Serbian nobility used.
They say that the research and restoration of the medieval Serbian town would be not only historically very valuable, but could be a first class tourist attraction in the area with wild nature where the rural tourism is in development.
