Vodice between Šumadija and Pomoravlje

Vodice lies on the eastern edge of Šumadija, at the transition to the central Pomoravlje. Two aspects of the place are especially tangible: to the southwest, elevation and the parallel course of the Jasenica help define its geography; near the village centre, the protected birthplace of Pera Todorović recalls Serbian cultural and social history. These themes can provide a starting point for comparing holiday apartments.

Terrain between Rudnik and the Jasenica

The higher-lying southwestern part of Vodice extends from 120 to 203 metres above sea level, parallel to the Jasenica River, and forms the outermost foothills of the Rudnik Mountains. A historical topographical description places the Jasenica’s terraces and floodplain below the last houses. The higher-lying side of the village and the river landscape therefore represent distinct geographical features. Both compass direction and the relationship between the mountain edge, river and floodplain help with orientation. This gives the transition from Šumadija to the central Pomoravlje a concrete local perspective.

A birthplace steeped in Serbian cultural history

The birthplace of Pera Todorović is protected as a cultural monument and was built near the village centre around the middle of the 19th century. Its commemorative significance is tied to Todorović, who was a prominent figure in Serbia’s social, political and cultural life during the second half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. The histories of the building and the person intersect here: the house represents a specific historic place, while Todorović’s significance extends into Serbia’s cultural and social history. Between 2008 and 2017, the building was partially restored by the Association of Journalists of Serbia, the Municipality of Smederevska Palanka and the “Vidovacha” local heritage association. The aim was to preserve it and convert it into a museum of the press and journalism.

Springs, natural value and local tradition

The springs connect the place names with the landscape. According to local historical tradition, Izvor Vodice is in the village centre and gave the village its name. An ethnographic description from 1923 places Zdravkovac in the Lower Settlement. Another historical description of the village names Kaluđerica as the site of one of the two springs listed in Vodice that have acidic water. In the south of Smederevska Palanka Municipality, the spring area of the mineralised acidic waters of Vidovača, Vodička kisela voda and Cerovačka kisela voda is considered a special natural feature. The scale thus ranges from an individual spring site to a natural area in the south of the municipality: in Vodice, water is part of both the village’s history and the regional landscape.

Local traditions also ascribe different meanings to the springs. Vidovača is described as a medieval monastery said to have been endowed by Serbian Prince Lazar. According to local tradition, people from the surrounding area visited the spring Vidova svetinja, also known as Vidova voda, on Fridays and Sundays. This traditional pattern of visits adds a religious dimension to the topographical and natural features.

Choose a holiday apartment based on what interests you about the village

When choosing a holiday apartment in Vodice, you can turn the village’s features into a simple question: Is the village centre and the history associated with Pera Todorović more important to you, or would you rather focus on the higher-lying southwestern part and the Jasenica when considering location? Compare specific accommodation locations according to your own priorities. That way, you can focus your search on the features of the village that really matter for your stay.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Markovac, Velika Plana, Smederevo, Smederevska Palanka, Krnjevo, Udovice.

Back to the main travel overview: Podunavlje District.