During the early IV century, Emperor Constantin the Great was one of the most significant rulers of the ancient world. He is known for introducing Christianity to the region and founding Constantinople. The Emperor had a luxurious summer house called Mediana, which was built halfway between his native place, Naissus (nowadays known as Niš), and the Niška Banja hot spring. He enjoyed the hot water from Niška Banja, which was delivered to his summer house through lead pipes.
The story of Serbian dynasties in Niška Banja dates back to the distant past. In July 1189, Stefan Nemanja, a great Serbian priest and the founder of the Nemanjić dynasty, welcomed Czar Friedrich Barbarossa and his crusaders in Niš during their campaign to the East. Stefan Nemanja provided the Czar and his army with the necessary equipment for their long journey. It is hard to believe that Stefan Nemanja did not take his esteemed guest to the hot springs of the nearby spa.
The region of Niš had a strong connection to the Obrenović dynasty when it was under Turkish rule. Thanks to Milan’s efforts, the region maintained commercial ties with Vienna and Pešta. When the Serbian army, under Milan’s command, entered the city in 1878 and connected Niš to Serbia, the citizens of Niš hailed him as a liberator. Both Milan and Aleksandar, known as the „Old Master” and the „Young King” respectively, were beloved guests in the city of Niš. In 1902, a monument was erected in the center of the city to honor King Milan and the liberators. After the city was liberated, commerce and handicrafts began to thrive again. Shops, bars, and narrow lanes were filled with people and the sounds of „zurle” (a type of woodwind instrument) and „daire” (a national instrument) could be heard everywhere. On Sundays and holidays, it was customary to go to the Spa for a „teferič” (gathering) where people sang, listened to music, danced the „čoček” (a belly dance), and had a good time until late at night. Jokes were made, the old way of life was invoked, and colorful costumes, Serbian and Turkish, were mixed. Only the ranks were separated.
In the 1930s, Niška Banja experienced a sudden development into a spa-climate sanatorium, similar to most European spas that were prestigious places for the jet-set members to gather. The monumental building of the Spa bath, now known as the „Old Bath” was built on a spacious plateau at the foot of the Koritnjak mountain, where relaxing smells of hot water and mud are still present. Soon after, rich merchants and the first Serbian factory owners started building luxurious villas, bringing splendor, luxury, and the European way of living to the Spa. Two hotels and one school, along with a park in front of the bath and trolley car connection with Niš from 1932, completely changed the setting of the small touristic settlement. This marked the beginning of a new age in the development of the Spa and spa tourism. At the end of the 1920s and the beginning of the 1930s, King Aleksandar I Karađorđević was a regular visitor of Niška Banja and usually stayed at the „Jela” villa, which was the private property of Jovan Todorović, a court lawyer. Nowadays, the townspeople refer to it as „the King’s villa”.
Before it was built in 1931, the king was a guest in the house of a spa host. He came without much fanfare and announcement. The guard house in front of the villa and the prominent flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia were the only signs that the king was in Banja. He walked without an escort, socialized with the locals, and visited spa hosts to talk with them and taste their wines. That’s why no one was surprised if their ruler, on the people’s joys, would dance in a circle. Locals enjoyed the king’s visits, and the king took the most beautiful memories with him from Banja.
In 1934, King Alexander embarked on his final journey from Niška Banja to Marseille. Unfortunately, he was assassinated and tragically lost his life. This heartbreaking news impacted the people of Niška Banja greatly. They had hoped to honor their beloved king by naming the spa after him, but circumstances changed. A new regime took over and the mansions were occupied by other tenants. Sadly, these tenants were unable to survive the war that ensued. To honor the memory of this esteemed ruler, who had left a lasting impression on the people of Banja with his royal presence and dignified manner, the locals erected a memorial fountain and named it „Three Kings”.
Health activity at Niška Banja
