As part of a project to develop tourism programmes for one-day, two-day and three-day  sightseeing tours of Niš, the city’s tourism organisation has released a programme with the best travel agencies’ deals. The passage that follows is a personal, imagined trip following the trail of these recommendations.    

The host agency had a wide variety of transfers to the archaeological site of Mediana and I wanted to see this luxury estate of Emperor Constantine, the most famous citizen of Niš. Mediana is little known site containing the ruins of the grand imperial estate, with a villa, thermal spas, a craft centre etc. With vivid narration for the guide, I could imagine the senators, generals and various other officials passing through the monumental gate of the villa and, by imperial protocol, first entering the salutatorium – the presentation room - only to be led into the consitorium (reception hall). I could only imagine what food and drinks were served in the trichorum (banquet hall).

I dedicated that last day in Niš to spiritual knowledge. Niš has a long Christian tradition dating back to the 4th century. The first church we visited was the Church of St. Archangel Michael, a small cathedral temple located in a large churchyard. This church was the main temple of the Niš diocese until the blessing of the new Main Church. I also had an interesting encounter with the Church of Saints Constantine and Empress Helena, designed by architect Jovan Mandić. He introduced elements of the Raška architectural school through the unusual addition of two towers. It was something I had never had a chance to see before.
 
(Selected parts of BelGuest Magazine Article)

SOUTHERN PERFECTION