Analele Universității din Craiova. Seria Geografie (Jan 2007)
RELIGIOUS TOURISM AS POST-MODERN TOURISM ON THE TERRITORY OF FRUSKA GORA
Abstract
Fruska gora (Alma Mons) is a mountain (538 meters high - 78 kilometers long) in the south- west part of Vojvodina European region, in the north of Serbia. Its northern border is the Danube River. One part of Fruska gora is the National park (25,348 hectares). The territory of Fruska gora is an attractive and developed tourism destination. It is rich in different natural and cultural tourism resources, which are in perfect harmony. Within Fruska gora (500 squares kilometres), there are 16 middle century monasteries - centres of religious tourism. Monasteries were built in the 15th century as centres of culture and spirituality and all of them are revitalized. They are important cultural monuments of unique architecture with invaluable middle century icons from the artistic point of view that are preserved in religious libraries. Religious tourism in all monasteries is uprising and has the multicultural dialog mission- civilization epoch, cultural styles. Religious tourism is initiated by individuals, families, and tour operators. We presented qualitative characteristics of religious tourism on this territory: tourist profile, socio-cultural, marketing, management, weakness and opportunities. Religions tourism on Fruska gora is in expansion and is improving the territory in many ways.