Prokuplje: Discover Hisar, Culture and Viticulture

Prokuplje combines a distinctive cityscape with surprisingly diverse traces of history. At the western entrance to the present-day city lies Prokuplje Fortress, also known as Hisar, on Hisar Hill. Here, history, nature and relaxation come together directly: the Toplica River meets the hill and partially flows upstream around it, creating an unusual natural phenomenon. Anyone wishing to combine a trip filled with cultural discoveries and relaxing stays will find many different starting points for planning their days in Prokuplje.

Hisar as a starting point for urban history and relaxation

Three towers have been preserved on the southern and southeastern sides of the fortification. The Hisar memorial area also serves as a city park, picnic area and viewpoint, and is used for sports and recreation. This allows a visit to the fortress to be combined with a break outdoors, without the day having to focus exclusively on historical topics.

At the foot of the hill stands the Latin, or Jug Bogdan, Church. It is located about 200 metres from the Church of Saint Procopius. The Jug Bogdan Church contains depictions of the washing of the feet, the Last Supper and the Entry into Jerusalem. The Church of Saint Procopius dates from the 9th to 10th century; its iconostasis was made in 1847. Those interested in church art and different historical periods can include these sites as distinct cultural highlights during their stay.

Museum, galleries and memorial sites in Prokuplje

The Toplica National Museum is located in a former post office building in the centre of Prokuplje. The building was declared a cultural monument on 22 March 1977. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the Toplica Uprising of 1917 and includes photographs, original documents, objects and weapons. The museum's ethnological collection comprises around 700 objects from the fields of clothing, jewellery, textiles, metal and wooden household items, and ceramics. Part of the Staro Prokuplje collection can be seen in the permanent exhibition Gradska soba.

The city's culture of remembrance is also present at several locations. The memorial room “Gvozdeni puk u oslobodilačkim ratovima Srbije od 1912–1918. godine” was opened in 2021 in the railway station building. Panels in the memorial room trace the regiment's wartime journey chronologically through photographs and text. For travel planning, this means you can explore a museum day in greater thematic depth or combine individual historical stops with a walk through the city, without having to fit every impression into a single visit.

The Boža Ilić Gallery is located in the pedestrian zone in the city centre. It is dedicated exclusively to fine art and mainly exhibits works by academic artists. This complements the historical focus of the National Museum with a different form of cultural experience. Since 2009, the “Noć muzeja” event has also been held at the Toplica National Museum. Every year, the museum participates with a varied programme, including public lessons, lectures, discussion sessions, workshops and literary evenings.

Pločnik, viticulture and special travel experiences

Near Prokuplje, the archaeological site of Pločnik lies in the village of the same name. It dates to the Late Neolithic, specifically the period from 5,500 to 4,800 BC. Reconstructed houses made of clay and reeds, as well as workshops for ceramics, metalworking and weaving, make the site an illustrative addition for anyone interested in early settlements and craft traditions. The website of the Toplica National Museum also offers virtual tours of the museum and the archaeological site of Pločnik.

Prokuplje has long been known for its viticulture. This aspect adds a regional connection to a cultural stay without requiring a fixed events programme. Other cultural occasions include the “Gradska slava Svetog Prokopija”, a celebration lasting several days with liturgy, a procession, sports activities, concerts, exhibitions and book presentations, as well as the “Drainčevi susreti” event, which begins in Prokuplje.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Prokuplje, it is worth deciding on the desired rhythm of your trip. If you mainly want to experience urban history, churches, the museum and the gallery, a culturally focused stay will be at the centre of your plans. On the other hand, anyone wishing to combine a park, viewpoint, picnic and the archaeological site of Pločnik can make their days more varied by dividing their time between the city and its surroundings.

More destinations for your travel plans

If you would like to extend your search beyond Prokuplje, you can also discover Lukovska Banja, Kursumlijska Banja, Blace, Merdare, Kuršumlija, Lukovo, Barbatovac and Prolom Banja.

For the higher-level travel overview: Toplica District.