The stone sculptures
Fish-like human faces.
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Lepenski Vir is an important prehistoric site on the right bank of the Danube, inside Đerdap National Park in eastern Serbia. It is known for its stone sculptures with fish-like human faces and its trapezoidal houses, and one architect called it «the first city in Europe» because it was a permanent, planned settlement. The latest dating puts its span between about 9500 or 7200 BC and 5500 BC, from the Mesolithic to the start of farming. The archaeologist Dragoslav Srejović began exploring it on 6 August 1965, and the findings were announced in 1967. Excavations ended in 1971, when the whole site was moved 29.7 m higher to escape the lake rising behind the new dam. A modern building with an arched glass roof now covers the site, and you walk on raised paths above the house floors. Red floors, stones and hearth remains can be seen, and stone sculptures from the site are displayed in the museum hall. Outside stands a model of an early hut with views of the river and mountains. It is 14 km in a straight line from Donji Milanovac, reached by car along the Danube road and often on a tour with Golubac Fortress. The inner hall also displays human remains, which is worth knowing if you have children with you. An hour is enough for the visit.
Fish-like human faces.
Distinctive red floors.
A modern building over the site.
On the Danube, Đerdap National Park, near Donji Milanovac
The lake behind the Iron Gate dam would have flooded it, so it was raised 29.7 m in 1971.
Yes. The fortress is on the same Danube road, and many tours from Belgrade include both.