Oplenac - Treasures of Dynasty Rulers Traditional Geocache
Oplenac - Treasures of Dynasty Rulers
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Oplenac - Treasures of Dynasty Rulers (Serbian: Oplenac - blago minulih vladara)
Oplenac is a hill near the city of Topola, in the heart of Shumadija region (means – forest region), about 100 km south from Belgrade, where the church-mausoleum of Karadjordjevic dynasty was built. Prince Alexander has built the first vineyards here, and King Peter I of Yugoslavia began building of the church - mausoleum structure and the entire historical-memorial complex, which will later become the Karadjordjevic Foundation Oplenac.
Oplenac and Topola City
Today, the complex includes the church of St. George, which is also a mausoleum of the Serbian royal family, the King's vineyards Museum (winegrower's house), the house - museum of King Peter, the King's and the Queen's villas, Karadjordje residence and barracks, “Karadjordje’s church” (Church of the Holy Mother), a monument of Karadjordje and hotel Oplenac.
The Church-mausoleum St. George
Perched high on Oplenac Hill, the Karadjordjevic family Church-mausoleum St. George (Crkva Svetog Djordja) complex is one of the most important historic sites in this part of Serbia. Peter designed the church, which took years to build. The church features five spectacular domes and a white marble exterior. The mesmerizing interior features stunning mosaic frescoes of sixty Serbian monasteries. There are total 725 compositions and 1,500 figures crafted from 40 million mosaic tiles in 15,000 shades. You will find the tombs of Karadjordje and King Peter the I-st (1903-1921) in the central part of the church. In the crypt, under the church, 20 other members of the Dynasty rest in eternal peace. Six generations of the Karadjordjevic family have been buried here. Prince Alexander and King Alexander the I-st are also buried here.
Mosaics in the Church-mausoleum St. George
Make sure to visit the summer residence of the Karadjordjevic dynasty (Peter’s House). Today, the residence is a museum, which features exhibits about the reign of this dynasty. Next to the museum, you will find the villas of King Alexander and Queen Maria. A beautifully maintained park which abounds with pine, oak, ash, linden and rare Pancic omorica spruce encircles Oplenac.
The crypt
A walk through the park, which is under state protection, is something you do not want miss! And somewhere there a cache is waiting for you!
The cache is a small plastic container.
Sources: Wikipedia, other internet sources. Photos: Internet and original (by Galejnik)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur ebbgf bs n gerr.