Valjevo

The oldest traces of human habitation in this area were found in a cave Petnica, and Valjevo as a settlement is for the first time mentioned in 1019, called Gradac. Today, Valjevo is known for its many places to visit, developed rural tourism, monasteries and other guardians of Serbian history, as well as for the plums and raspberries spread over and around this beautiful city. Also, for more than two decades Jazz Fest in Valjevo is held, famous and recognized Jazz Festival.

Valjevo is located at the junction of many roads and is easily accessible from all different directions. It is 96 km away from Belgrade, 134 km from Novi Sad, 77 km from Uzice and 72 km from Loznica. Valjevo can also be accessed via rail links which connects Belgrade to the large Adriatic port in Bar. The nearest commercial airport is found in Belgrade.
The range of Valjevo mountains (Medvednik, Jablanik, Povlen, Maljen, Suvobor), with gently-rolling hills surrounds the town. Divčibare is a plateau in the mountain of Maljen. It has an average altitude of 1000 m. It is 28 km from Valjevo and 110 km from Belgrade. The canyon of the Gradac River (also the name of a Valjevo suburb) ends in the town centre. The Gradac is one of Europe's cleanest rivers, evidenced by the presence of otters, which only inhabit unpolluted waters. It abounds in brook trout. 

Weather in Valjevo is influenced by Humid Subtropical climate (mild with no dry season, hot summer). Average temperature of warmest months are over 22°C and average of coldest month is under 18°C – rainfall throughout the year, but highly variable. The hottest month is August, when max temperature is about 31°C. Be aware of Thunderstorm which are possible. The coldest month is January. In this month temperature could be even 1℃ at night.

The oldest traces of humans in this area date from the Palaeolithic period and were discovered in the nearby Petnica cave. In the first centuries of the new era the space of today’s Valjevo was part of the Roman Empire and after its fall within the framework of the Byzantine Empire. Of the survived written documents that mention Valjevo the oldest was discovered in Dubrovnik archive and dates back to the year of 1393. Valjevo was emerged as a medieval square at the crossroads which were visited by famous merchants of Dubrovnik. The recent history of the town shows that Valjevo was one of the first larger liberated places in the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, on March 20, 1804. This date symbolizes the aspiration for freedom of Valjevo inhabitants and is considered as the beginning of the development of European architecture and spirit in the town. This date is celebrated as the Municipality Day.
In the First World War in 1914 near Valjevo, the Battle of Kolubara, Serbian army heavily defeated Austro-Hungarian troops. After the great battle, the whole town was transformed into a war hospital that was immortalized in the painting “Valjevo Hospital” by Nadezda Petrovic, who died of typhoid in Valjevo in 1915 while taking care of the wounded.
The development of Valjevo was then slowed down by hardships brought by the World War II, and at the end of the 20th century, Valjevo has repeatedly been the target of the NATO bombing. 21st century brings hope for the further development of Valjevo. 

The most important cultural institutions are the National Museum, under whose auspices are the Museum of the First and Second Serbian Uprisings and displays in Brankovina. Other institutions include the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments, the Historical Archive, the Town Library. The Cultural Centre has a well-equipped stage and an auditorium with 630 seats. The Youth Centre has "Gallery 34" for exhibitions and forums. The Serbian Language and Culture Workshop offers classes in Serbian for foreigners.
Tešnjar is one of the oldest paved streets in Valjevo. It is used for films based in the past and is one of the places that makes the beautiful town unique.
The Tešnjar Evenings are a cultural event. The Jazz Fest is accompanied by summer literary talks in the Library Yard. Desanka’s May Talks discuss literary topics, where the Desanka Maksimović Foundation grants an annual poetry award.

Nenadovic Family...
This family produced leaders of the First Serbian Uprising, ministers of the first Serbian government, spiritual leaders and travel writers. Some members are: Duke Aleksa, Archpriest Mateja Nenadovic, Duke Jakov Nenadovic, Sima and Jevrem, writer Čika Ljuba Nenadović, and Queen Persida Karadjordjevic, the mother of King Peter I of Serbia.