Hello Wednesday walkers, let's walk together! After my vacation in Greece, I stopped by for a few days in Vranje, a town in the south of Serbia, where I have relatives.
The best way to experience this city is simply to walk through its streets and let the town tell you its story. So, let's go.
As we walked through Vranje, everyday life unfolded around us. In many courtyards, there were large piles of firewood, ready for the winter.
Dogs watched from behind gates, barking as if it were their full-time job.
Among the newer buildings, we passed old houses dating back to the last century, reminders of a different Vranje.
There are many old buildings scattered throughout the town, and together they preserve something of its character and the spirit of times gone by.
One of the places we stopped by was Pašin Konak, one of Vranje's most recognizable historical buildings and home to the city's museum.
In the small square in front of it stands a monument to Staniša Stošić, a famous Serbian singer born in Vranje, known for his distinctive voice and songs inspired by southern Serbian traditions.
Around the museum, people gathered in cafés, chatting over coffee in the pedestrian zone.
We passed a shop called Yumco, a reminder of the city's industrial past. Vranje was once home to a highly successful textile factory with the same name. Although production is now much smaller, the name and the tradition are still part of the city.
Flower stalls added colors to the streets.
It was lovely to see Vranje surrounded by flowers.
We also passed the post office, with the fountain in front of it, a well-known meeting point for locals.
Then there was the "Lepa Brena" building, named after the famous singer from Serbia. I still wonder why so many buildings across Serbia were given her name.
Eventually, we continued our walk towards the building where my grandfather lives.
Along the way, we passed a monument dedicated to the victims of fascist terror, another reminder that Vranje's streets carry not only everyday stories, but also memories of its past.
Thank you for reading.
Jelena
