THE SPA WITH TRADITION

The history of Banja Koviljaca is very rich, dating back to the Iliric period, followed by the occupation of the area by the Romans, and later the Turks. In the first recorded sources dating back to 1533, it is mentioned that people visited these healthy springs in large numbers.  The first centre with accommodation facilities comprised of ten rooms, was built in 1858.  Since 1867, during the rule of Mihailo Obrenovic, the spa has been under the protection of the state.  On August 1st, 1898, the National Assembly granted the governance of the Banja Koviljaca spa to the people of the Podrinje region, an event which marked the beginning of the construction and development of Banja Koviljaca. From that time on, up until the Second World War and with only brief interruptions, the period of extensive development of Banja Koviljaca, named as Podrinje’s beauty, started, and it became not only a modern centre for treatment but also a fashionable meeting place for the Serbian upper classes.

Among many others, Dositej Obradovic (a famous Serbian literate and great scholar) and Vuk Karadzic (a famous Serbian linguist and major reformer of the Serbian language) enjoyed the beauty of Banja Koviljaca.

The Serbian ruler Karadjordje found here the ideal place for healing his wounds.  Luxurious balls held here were attended by the Serbian king, Aleksandar Karadjordjevic.

Banja Koviljaca became a spa resort and treatment centre during the rule of King Peter I Karadjordjevic who built the modern sulphurous bath near his residential palace.