Vodice: Birthplace, Springs and Jasenica

Vodice combines a cultural and historical monument with traditions surrounding its springs and the Jasenica river landscape. The village lies on the eastern edge of Šumadija, at the transition to the central Pomoravlje region. This gives you several points to consider when planning your trip: the history of Pera Todorović’s birthplace, local connections to springs, and the topography around the Jasenica.

Vodice between Šumadija and Pomoravlje

Its location on the edge of Šumadija and at the transition to the central Pomoravlje region places Vodice within two landscape areas. In the village, Pera Todorović’s birthplace offers a specific cultural and historical point of interest; beyond the village center, the river and terrain shape the area’s landscape. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Vodice, these different themes may help guide your choice of destination.

Pera Todorović’s birthplace

Pera Todorović’s birthplace is protected as a cultural monument. It was built around the middle of the 19th century in the immediate vicinity of the village center. In the second half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century, Todorović was a well-known figure in Serbia’s social, political and cultural life. The house’s commemorative significance is tied to his biography.

Between 2008 and 2017, the house was partially restored by the Association of Journalists of Serbia, the Municipality of Smederevska Palanka and the “Vidovacha” local heritage association. The aim of the work was to preserve the building and convert it into a museum of the press and journalism. The house’s history thus connects its protected status as a monument with a planned museum focus.

Vidovača is considered a medieval monastery in Vodice, said to have been founded by Serbian Prince Lazar. This is part of local tradition. Alongside the documented commemorative significance of the birthplace, it represents another historical connection associated with Vodice.

Springs and local traditions

Izvor Vodice is in the village center and gave the village its name. A 1923 description places the Zdravkovac spring in the lower part of Vodice. Kaluđerica is home to one of the two springs with acidic water mentioned in Vodice. The names refer to different local features and help place the traditions surrounding the springs in the context of the village.

The Vidovača spring in Vodice dates from 1908. According to local tradition, people from the surrounding area came to the Vidova svetinja spring, also called Vidova voda, on Fridays and Sundays. This account describes a historical religious connection to the spring. It is a different kind of local history from the dating of an individual spring or the naming of the village after Izvor Vodice.

In the south of the municipality, the spring area of the mineralized acidic waters Vidovača, Vodička kisela voda and Cerovačka kisela voda is considered a special natural asset. This reference applies to the south of the municipality; it adds a broader landscape context to the individual springs associated with Vodice.

The Jasenica and the surrounding elevations

The higher-lying southwestern part of Vodice extends parallel to the Jasenica River at an elevation of 120 to 203 meters. It forms the outermost foothills of the Rudnik Mountains. Below the last houses are river terraces and the river’s floodplain. The village description thus places the higher southwestern area alongside lower-lying land by the river.

The elevation of 120 to 203 meters refers to the higher-lying southwestern part. By contrast, the terraces and floodplain are described as landscape below the last houses. Together, these details give a nuanced picture of the area around Vodice: the Jasenica River, the higher-lying foothills of the Rudnik Mountains and the lower-lying plain are distinct geographical reference points. When choosing your destination, you can weigh whether you are more interested in the cultural and historical heritage or these landscape features.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Podunavlje District.