“Serbia 🇷🇸 ~The Ethno Wood Town Called Kustendorf”
There was no way we were leaving Mokra Gora, without taking a look at this unique setting. The story behind this wood town is captivating, as well as the visual joy of seeing it for ourselves.
On a Sunday, the day off for many locals, there were many, many people also visiting, so it was good that we went early. We walked around and then enjoyed some breakfast, at one of two restaurants. It was a great visit.
Mokra Gora is a beautiful mountainous area with green forests, sunny hills, with numerous trekking paths, which offer up tranquility, and fresh air.
Emir Kusturica is best known as a film director and musician, but his town proves he is much more than those qualifications. Originally, this town he built, he built for just his family and closest friends to come and stay in. I tried to get an understanding of how the place became open to the public, but I could not find info.
This is the center of the town with the main public buildings around it. The main house is a big two-story building just next to the pastry shop where Kusturica and his family members live, or lived. (again, not very clear on this) It features the Stanley Kubrick Theater and a helicopter pad in the back yard. On the opposite side of the square is the national restaurant offering traditional Serbian dishes
Kusturica noticed this hill with nothing on it, but with plenty of sunshine and he decided that he wanted to build his own village there, someday.
“I lost my city [Sarajevo] during the war. That is why I wished to build my own village. It bears a German name: Küstendorf. I will organise seminars there, for people who want to learn how to make cinema, concerts, ceramics, painting. It is the place where I will live and where some people will be able to come, from time to time. There will be, of course, some other inhabitants who will work. I dream of an open place with cultural diversity which sets up against globalization,” once stated by Kusturica in an interview.
https://royalfamily.org/crown-council/emir-kusturica/
and
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001437/
Here is a link about the Sargan Eight Train Ride, if interested, as we enjoyed that, too.
https://2gypsiesinthewind.com/europe/serbia/serbia-sargen-eight-train-ride-in-mokra-gora/
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Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More
We thought so, too! Would love to see the movie, but not sure if there is an English version.
We made it back to Macedonia this afternoon. Not sure how long here, as we see so much similarities roaming in old Yugoslavia. Need rest, then more play!
Wow, what a beautiful town and what a story behind it! <3