POTENTIALS OF CULTURAL ROUTES IN VRNJAČKA BANJA: UNREVEALING MODERNIST HERITAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

In the European context, particularly after the adoption of the Faro Convention ratified by Serbia, the past two decades have seen growing interest in the heritage of the recent past valuable to the community. Citizens’ engagement increasingly shapes the interpretation of heritage, making tourism more authentic and experiential. Vrnjačka Banja, the leading spa and cultural tourism centre in Serbia, acquired its recognizable modernist identity in the 1960s and 1970s. The Sculpture Park with bivetas designed by Mitrović, the Promenade, and the Castle of Culture initiated by Protić still form its cultural core. However, lacking protection as an integrated landscape, the area has gradually lost authenticity, while key architectural and artistic works have been damaged or removed. Although local community initiatives seek to promote and reinterpret this heritage through exhibitions, public talks, and digital platforms, these remain largely invisible. This research explores the potential of Banja’s modernist heritage through cultural routes, guided programs and mixed reality experiences.