Stari Grad, Užice

Stari Grad (, , "Old Town") is a fortress near the city of Užice, in central Serbia. Today in ruins, it is an example of typical medieval Serbian architecture. Historians believe it was built in the second half of the 14th century to control movement along nearby roads, and the town of Užice. Stari Grad was declared Protected Monument of Culture in 1983, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia.

The fortress is located on top of the tall, steep rocky hill which sharply declines into the Đetinja river. The river meanders around the rock, surrounding the fortress from three sides and protecting it. The fortress actually sits on a cliff, elevated above the final section of the deep canyon like gorge of the Đetinja.

The area was inhabited for millennia. Remains of prehistoric settlements are found in the Đetinja gorge and around it. There are two major location. The Staparska Gradina, near the Stapari village was thoroughly explored in the late 1950s when the three levels of human habitation were discovered. The lowest and oldest are dated into the Neolithic. The middle level corresponds to the Vinča Pločnik culture and the third one belongs to the Bronze Age. The dugouts were discovered in the oldest levels, but also the above ground dwelling objects from the later periods. Another one is the Rimsko groblje ("Roman cemetery"). It hasn't been explored much, but the remnants of the large, above ground and regularly shaped stone plates were discovered. In 2015 the local population built a public drinking fountain at the site.

The fortress was built in the second half of the 14th century by the local Vojinović noble family, which ruled the vast areas from Rudnik, over Polimlje, Podrinje, east Herzegovina with Trebinje, to Konavle and Dračevica, neighboring the Republic of Dubrovnik. It was built both as the ruling seat and to protect Užice itself and the caravan road which connected the Morava Valley with Bosnia, Hum, Adriatic coast and Dubrovnik, via the valley of the Đetinja river. The citadel was probably built during the rule of Nikola Altomanović. It had the stone tower, while the rest of the fortified complex was most likely wooden. During the short siege of the fortress, the coalition used cannons and siege engines which forced Altomanović to surrender. Nobleman Stefan Musić, with silent approval from his commander and maternal uncle Lazar, blinded Altomanović. After the battle, Lazar and Tvrtko divided Altomanović's lands. The fortress remained Serbian until 1459 when it was conquered by the Ottomans, though it was rarely mentioned in this period. The Ottomans reconstructed the fortress, also expanding it. The fortress remained like this until the 17th century, when, due to the Austro Turkish wars, the fortification was again expanded and upgraded. After the Austrian withdrawal in 1738 following another war, the Turks again reconstructed the fort, including the citadel's tower. In 2017 and 2018 the upper town and parts of the middle town were conserved in order the prevent further decay. Partially reconstructed citadel's tower was adapted into the scenic viewpoint. Works were scheduled to start in the spring of 2020. Concurrently, the projects for the conservation of the remaining part of the middle town and of the entire lower town were drafted. Middle town will be fully reconstructed, with artisan village built within. The citadel tower now hosts artistic exhibitions while the plateau around it serves for various cultural and public gatherings. Better access will be enabled via the bridge to the old gate entrance. The citadel is decorated with lights.

The plans are to include the reconstructed fortress into the group of tourist attractions located along the Đetinja. Right below the Stari Grad there is a small hydroelectrical power plant on the Đetinja. Named “Pod Gradom” (“Below the town”), it is the oldest one in Serbia and on the Balkans, second oldest in Europe and third oldest in the world after Niagara in United States and was also designed according to Nikola Tesla's principles. It was built only 4 years after the Niagara. Undeveloped Staparska Banja ("Stapari Spa") with several thermal springs is also located in the gorge. In 2017 a pedestrian and bicycle path was built which reached the spa. Though two pools were constructed and there are swimmers, the spa is basically a mudflat. Thermal waters, with the temperature of help with the rheumatism and skin diseases. The path now starts at the Užice city beach and curves through the natural environment for to Staparska Banja. In September 2017, as the first greenway in Serbia, it received the 2nd prize at the 8th European Greenways Awards.