Jakovo: Monastic History, Nature and Summer Leisure

Jakovo is a destination for travellers who want to include historic religious buildings, archaeological traces and nature in their travel plans. The history of Fenek Monastery, the Church of the Ascension, the protected Bojčinska šuma and summer leisure activities offer different points of interest. Before choosing a holiday rental, you can decide whether culture, nature or relaxation should set the tone for your stay.

Monastic history in the lower Srem

Fenek Monastery is located in the so-called lower Srem, between Jakovo and Boljevac. Its earliest reliable written mentions date from 1563; the monastery’s Baroque church was consecrated in 1797. The two dates represent different historical reference points: 1563 refers to the earliest written mentions, while 1797 marks the church’s consecration. Fenek Monastery is also part of the group of monasteries of Fruška Gora. This classification places Fenek in a broader regional cultural and historical context.

Churches and art history

The Church of the Ascension in Jakovo was built between 1807 and 1810. Its iconostasis is described as a rare, well-preserved example of 19th-century Serbian Classicism. An iconostasis is a screen decorated with icons that separates the altar from the main body of a church. The term Classicism refers to a style inspired by ancient forms, making the art-historical classification more accessible to visitors. Fenek’s Baroque monastery church and the Church of the Ascension thus represent different aspects of architectural and art history.

Fenek is also associated with a spiritual tradition: near Fenek there was a “healing spring of Mother Angelina”, to which the sick came seeking a cure. This tradition adds another religious aspect to the architectural history.

Nature and archaeological traces

Bojčinska šuma lies between the villages of Progar and Jakovo and is protected as a natural monument because of its special features. These include rare plant and animal species, among them the white-tailed eagle. Those interested in nature and wildlife will find a different focus here than at the religious buildings. Its location between Progar and Jakovo helps visitors place the woodland in relation to the two villages.

Kormadin, an archaeological site where finds from the Late Neolithic period have been discovered, lies in the wider area around Jakovo. Together with the monastery’s later written mentions and the church buildings, these sites represent several distinct historical periods. Kormadin stands for archaeological traces from a much earlier era than the churches’ architectural history.

Summer leisure

Jakovo’s spa centres offer leisure, relaxation and entertainment, especially during the summer season. This seasonal focus on leisure complements the cultural and historical themes and the natural landscape. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on churches and history, nature or summer relaxation.

Choose a suitable base for your trip

You can choose between a holiday apartment and a holiday house based on what matters to you during your stay. If architecture and art history are of particular interest, Fenek Monastery and the Church of the Ascension offer different points of reference. Bojčinska šuma brings a different focus on nature and wildlife, while Kormadin adds archaeological history to the mix. The spa centres are another option for summer leisure.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ugrinovci, Ovča, Stojnik, Surčin, Zuce, Meljak, Vinča, Babe.

For the broader travel overview: Belgrade.