“Serbian history tells that the family is the most important thing and you have to stick with the family,” – Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
I traveled on the Dalmatian coast, seeing sights. I visited Serbian Orthodox Churches, and monasteries. I came to understand the Serbia soul during our stay at the Hotel Asimovic, at Rastoci bb, Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina. This is a family run Serbian hotel. Greek-Albanian guide Ioan Mitros planned the itinerary with our group leader Kostoula of Kapogiannis Travel. Ioan knew we were Orthodox Christians interested in the Orthodox soul of Dalmatia. The Hotel Asimov gave us insight in their hospitality. I had a comfortable room, with TV, internet, television, bar and private bathroom. The reception desk hostess was excellent.
Because of the hospitable atmosphere, we had the opportunity to socialize with fellow tourists. Athena and Alekos Sipsis, Canadian tourists from the historic village of Piana in the Peloponnese explained their love of Greece. The Sipsis family helped me on numerous occasions, giving me advice. The unique star of the group was Litsa Stavropoulou, a retired Athens businesswoman from Piana. Dr. Alexios Vardouniotis, ENT surgeon and his wife, Dr. Kanela Karampela Vardounioti, Psychologist/Ph.D baptized their son, Giorgos-Kirk, at St. George Church, Piana” she said. Litsa was posting photos of our trip on her Facebook page. Traditional cuisine, socials, music are posted daily. Visit Facebook Λίτσα Σταυροπούλου.
The breakfasts and dinners were organic. Vegetables and wine were from the Hotel Asimovic gardens and vineyard. Everyone greeted us with smiles always of the day. Staff members gave us budget advice. Hospitality, honesty and special consideration to our diet needs was present. The hotel is in walking distance of Trebinje. A mini train took us into the heart of the city. I was totally mesmerized watching a staff member ironing linen with a rotary steam press machine. My parents had an ironing machine in the 1960’s in Astoria, NY. The staff member meticulously iron linens so they would be crisp. The following staff members are there to help everyone: Mika; Misa; Lidija; Anastasija; Jelena; Nikola; Maida; Nikolina; Tina; Vesna; and Nevenka.
“Trebinje is first mentioned in Constantine VI Porphyrogennetos’ records in 10th century as Travunia. During that time, Trebinje was on the caravan road that lead from Kotor and Dubrovnik to Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro. The oldest material evidence with ‘Trebinje’ inscription was carved on county ruler Grd’s tombstone from the second part of 12th century, which was found in the part of the city called Police.
First urban outlines of Trebinje were formed in the Middle Ages. Originally, Trebinje was a part of the then Byzantine archontia (province) and after that all the way to 14thcentury it was the center of Travunia, a state that was a part of the kingdom of Nemanjići. Trebinje area was developing under a strong influence of Byzantine empire during the Middle Ages, and in 15th century, after the period of long independence, it fell under the Ottoman reign which lasted for many centuries. After that it was a part of Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918. For almost 200 years in the Middle Ages Trebinje was ruled by Nemanjić dynasty and after that by Tvrtko Kotromanić. From 1337 to 1466 (the fall under Turkish reign) Trebinje was a part of Bosnian banate (territory subdivision) ruled by the Kosača family. Turkish reign lasted from 1446 to 1878.”1
A point overlooked in general history is that the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine Palaiologos, was half Serbian. His mother, Helena Dragas was daughter of the Serbian magnate Constantine Dragas. Byzantines had multi-national character, like the USA, united by Greek language, culture and Greek Orthodox faith. Emperor Constantine died in battle defending Constantinople. “The West gave the City to the Ottoman Turks as a gift,” said Mardo Anastasian, Armenian businessman/scholar. resulting in 400 years of slavery for Orthodox Christians. Following his death, he became a legendary figure in Greek folklore as the Marmaromenos Vasilias, the “Marble Emperor” who would awaken and recover the Empire and Constantinople from the Ottomans. His death marked the end of the Roman Empire that lasted 1100 years. 2
“This southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina is only 28km from the famous city of Dubrovnik. Trebinje ranks with Mostar and Stolac in terms of beauty but fortunately escaped the fates of these two towns and was not heavily damaged during the war, leaving its old town intact. The Old Town of Trebinje was established in the 18th century and soon developed into a trading & crafts center named Kastel.
There is barely a town in Herzegovina that was not erected alongside a freshwater river. Trebinje is no exception: its old town lines the banks of the Trebisnjica River that flows through the heart of the city. The river and the city have always been known for the enormous old mills treading the Trebisnjica. Although they are not fully functional today, they remain a symbol of Herzegovina’s not-so-distant past when everything was directly connected to the power of nature. In Trebinje, that power of nature was bigger before the river had been curtailed by the Grancarevo dam, some 15 km north-east from Trebinje. This dam was bound to swallow the Arslanagic Bridge. To save this beautiful example of Ottoman stone bridge building, it was taken, stone by stone, from a village seven kilometers up the river, and rebuilt in downtown Trebinje.”3
After spending six days on the Dalmatian Coast, I began to understand the tragedy of the breakup of Yugoslavia. I have Yugoslavian fine crystal that no longer is manufactured. I saw the pain in the Orthodox Christians who lost their country. Kostoula Kapogiannis, dynamic group leader of the Kapogiannis Tours, with Ioan Mitros, created a successful 6 day excursion along the Dalmatian coast during the summer 2019. Novak Djokovic said “We have a harder way to succeed in life as Serbs because of the past that we had and because of the history we had…Before I am an athlete, I am an Orthodox Christian”
Special Appreciation to Despina Siolas, MD./Ph.. research on Novak Djokovic.
References:
- http://gotrebinje.com/en/o-trebinju/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_XI_Palaiologos
- http://www.bhtourism.ba/eng/trebinje.wbsp
Links:
http://www.acimovictrebinje.com/index.php/hotel-acimovic website
https://www.awakenthegreatnesswithin.com/35-inspirational-novak-djokovic-quotes-on-success/
https://www.efe.com/efe/english/destacada/djokovic-to-the-rescue-of-an-orthodox-chapel-in-france-feature/50000261-3940986
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novak_Djokovic
Photos:
Photo 1 – Trebinje
Photo2 – Old walls. Trebinje
Photo3- Trebinje
Photo4- Hotel Asimov
Photo5- Old fashion ironing, Hotel Asimov
Photo6- Staff, Hotel Asimov
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