Kunovica, a scenic village with a strategic past

While searching for the best way to reach the Kusača viewpoint, I found out about the village of Kunovica. What really drew me in, was the fascinating history. I discovered that this small settlement once had a strategic role, it stood guard over the medieval route Via Militaris, a major road used for centuries. That fact dates all the way back to 1498. Even the name Kunovica has an interesting origin. It doesn’t come from anything military, but rather from a tree, the kun, better known in Serbia as klen, or maple in English. I also learned that the mighty Suva Planina (Dry Mountain), was once called Kunovica too. Over time, its name changed to reflect its geological makeup, rocks that don’t retain water well, making the whole mountain unusually “dry.” All of this came from simply looking up a hiking route! 😄 It’s moments like this that remind me how much hidden history surrounds Niš and how much more there is to discover, just by being curious.