Emir Kusturica’s Drvengrad in Mokra Gora is a nice place to visit when in the neighbourhood, it is very charming!! Not to mention the beautiful nature surrounding the little town, magnificent and soothing. And it’s only about a 3.5-hour drive away from Belgrado.
Mecavnik
Kusturica originally built Drvengrad for his film, Life Is a Miracle, but I also found this interesting quote from him:
“I lost my city [Sarajevo] during the war. That is why I wished to build my own village. It bears a German name : Küstendorf. I will organize seminars there, for people who want to learn how to make cinema, concerts, ceramics, painting. It is the place where I will live and where some people will be able to come from time to time. There will be of course some other inhabitants who will work. I dream of an open place with cultural diversity which sets up against globalization.”
Wikipedia
Drvengrad is also home to Küstendorf, his annual film and music festival and the hotel, Mećavnik, where guests can stay in one of the quaint and rustic bungalows. There’s not too much to do there other than eat, relax (there is a sauna and pool) and breathe in the beauty. It is a full out little town with cafés, 2 restaurants, a bakery, movie theater, church, bookstore, market where they sell local crafts and goods.
The streets are named after famous people like Novak Đoković and Ernesto Che Guevara.
You can also take a ride on the Sargan Eight, the old locomotive train that takes you in a figure eight up the mountain, making stops along the way at various locations to take photos. The station is only a few minutes drive away from Mecavnik, most people say it’s worth checking out. You can find more information here: www.zeleznicesrbije.com
Some remarkable facts:
- Kusturica really does live there. Or at least, spends a lot of his time there. He was actually seen twice within 3 days. I also spoke with an “insider”, who had the opportunity to see the inside of his bungalow and he said it’s no different than the rest of the bungalows. Meaning, it’s just as rustic and quaint. He didn’t make one for himself that’s more fancy or anything like that.
- Kusturica has constructed Kamengrad (Stone Town) located in Višegrad, Republicka Srpska. It’s only a few kilometers away from Drvengrad and it is easy to combine seeing both locations over a long weekend.
All in all, highly recommended checking out Drvengrad. It’s something different to see and the perfect place to unwind and recharge.
You can also find more information on Mećavnik’s site: www.mecavnik.info