Ivan Tower

Ivan Tower is a small medieval fortress located in the village of the same name, 33 km southeast of Kuršumlija, on the western slopes of Mount Radan. The fortress can be reached via the road that branches off from the Niš–Priština highway at Sastavci, then turns northeast near the village of Vuče, continuing by gravel road to the village center and finally by a steep path to the fortress itself.

The tower was built on top of a volcanic cone. It has a rectangular base measuring 7.78 x 5.80 m and is preserved to a height of around 14 m. It was constructed from cut stone bonded with high-quality lime mortar. On the northern side of the tower, the foundations of another structure destroyed to ground level can still be seen. This is a typical late medieval Serbian fortress of a local nobleman, built on a dominant and difficult-to-access location. In historical sources, Ivan’s Town is first mentioned in 1412.

According to local legend, the tower was ruled by Ivan Kosančić, a hero of Toplica from the Battle of Kosovo. Albanian tradition says that Ivan Tower was the residence of Ivan-beg, whom Sultan Bayezid appointed as ruler of Kosanica after the Battle of Kosovo, and who planted the entire valley with walnut trees. Legend also says that Ivan Kosančić had a sister named Jana, who was kidnapped by the Turks during one of their campaigns and taken to the village of Vuče, where she died. A small church was later built on that spot, and its foundations still remain today.

From Ivan Tower, there is an exceptional panoramic view in all four directions. The site has been declared a cultural monument.