When I was recently returning from Tara mountain, we stopped in Valjevo town in western Serbia to buy the children something to eat. My family was waiting for me in the car and I went out to look for a bakery. And then on the way I noticed a strange street that looks like it's from the long past.
I did a research and saw that it was the old part of Valjevo town called Tesnjar. I was very curious to walk down this street so I headed there.
Everything was closed and there were no people, but I met a lady whom I had previously met in the monastery we visited. She told me that this is the most famous street in Valjevo and that many films in Serbia have been shot there. She also said that during the summer it is a very colorful and lively environment.
Walking down the street I saw a lot of old houses. Many of them are now cafes and taverns.
There are a lot of craft workshops that are rarely seen today such as a shoemaker, a tailor...
It was interesting to see all those doors that lead to some other world, old, long gone.
All the houses in which there are open shops, cafes, restaurants and craft workshops date from the middle of the 19th century, so they represent a valuable historical heritage. They have a modest appearance, which speaks of the economic and financial situation at that time.
As I walked down the pebbled street I felt very inspired. I forgot that my family was waiting for me in the car. I didn't even find a bakery, everything was closed except for some restaurants.
One of the side streets led me to a beautiful place by the Kolubara river.
And when you cross the river, you enter the city center. There I found food for my children and returned quickly to the car to continue our journey to Belgrade. It was very cold but I was happy because I explored something new.
In the summer, I will come here again to see how it is when everything is opened and lively, and I will again convey my impressions to you.
Thank you very much for reading.
The images and writing are original and mine.
Jelena