This small Serbian town has a unique dinosaur-themed educational park, the Natural History Center, and sits along the Resava River in eastern Serbia.
Svilajnac, home to 8,593 people in central Serbia’s Pomoravlje District, lies where the Resava River joins the Morava. The town’s name comes from the Serbian word for silk, a nod to its past in trade and skilled crafts. You can walk along Kriva čaršija, a curved street from the 1800s with shops and cafes, or see the 11-meter-tall Diplodocus model at the Natural History Center’s outdoor area. In nearby Grabovac village, the restored house where Stevan Sinđelić was born displays items from the early 1800s uprisings, and his bronze statue stands in the town square. These places, along with riverside paths and local museums, give you reasons to explore beyond Serbia’s popular destinations.
Natural History Center and Dino Park
The Natural History Center of Serbia covers 3,000 square meters with indoor exhibits and outdoor spaces. You’ll find 20 life-sized dinosaur models in the Dino Park, including a Diplodocus that measures 20 meters from head to tail. Inside the building, fossils and rock samples collected by researchers from Belgrade’s Natural History Museum fill glass cases. The center serves as a research base for scientists and a place for families to learn about local plants and animals through hands-on displays. Plan to spend at least two hours here. Walk the park’s trails to see the dinosaur replicas and spot the Resava River through gaps in the trees.
Stevan Sinđelić’s Legacy and Local History
Stevan Sinđelić, a leader in Serbia’s 1804–1813 revolt against Ottoman rule, shaped Svilajnac’s identity. His restored birth home in Grabovac village, eight kilometers northwest, has original furniture and guns used during the rebellions. In Svilajnac’s main square, a bronze statue shows Sinđelić mid-battle, sculpted with a raised saber and flowing cloak. Local guides explain how he led troops during the 1809 Battle of Čegar, where he ignited gunpowder stores rather than surrender. The town’s history museum near the square keeps letters and maps from this period, with descriptions in Serbian and English.
