Only five kilometers southwest of Knjaževac, in the area of the village of Rgošte, on the coast of Svrljiški Timok, there is Banjica complex, as it is called in the Knjaževac area. It has been known since ancient times. In 1864, the Austrian writer Felix Kanitz left testimony about the healing properties of the spring on Banjica. Analyses have shown that the water, with a constant temperature of 28 degrees, contains magnesium, selenium, manganese, radon, and fluorine.
Rgoška Banjica has been known since ancient times. Roman legionaries bathed in it, as evidenced by the remains of a former Roman bath.
Thousands of visitors, who come here every year during all seasons, claim that it was the water from Banjica that helped them heal from various diseases, such as sciatica, rheumatism, or respiratory diseases. There is still an anecdote among visitors about a man who was groomed in a car, and after two or three weeks of treatment in spa water, he went home on foot. In addition to the healing spring, on this favorite picnic spot of the people of Knjaževac and their guests, there are a walking paths, a restaurant and a playground for children.
Thermal water from Rgoška Banjica is supplied to the Olympic pool, located only five kilometers from the center of Knjaževac. The complex of sports and recreational faculities with swimming pool, children’s pool and a small aqua park, is one of the most beautiful facilities of its kind in Serbia.
During the winter, the pool is covered, so it is possible to enjoy in its thermal water during the whole year.
The pool is a favourite picnic spot not only of the people of Knjaževac, but also people from the region and favorite destination of sports teams, who come for preparations.
