Is a 'vampire' in Serbian village on the loose - to draw tourists?

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/3/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Series of misfortunes plague hamlet after collapse of old mill

According to Serbian folklore, Sava Savanovic was a horrific vampire that preyed on villagers as late as the beginning of the 20th Century. With the collapse of an ancient mill in the town of Zarozje, misfortune has been visited upon the town with a quick succession of five deaths that has included a suicide. Is the dreaded vampire returned in the 21st Century - or is this just a good tourism ploy for the impoverished village?

According to Serbian folklore, Sava Savanovic was a horrific vampire that preyed on villagers as late as the beginning of the 20th Century.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Quite unlike the misunderstood young heroes and heroines of currently popular movies and novels, vampires in the ancient world were serious business. Serbia's first known vampire legend, Sava Savanovic was known to drink the blood of those who came to a small shack in the nearby dense oak tree forest to mill their grain on the clear mountain Rogatica river.

The mill collapsed a few months ago, ushering in misfortune for the inhabitants of the small town.

While vampires remain in the realm of fiction and folklore, a local council issued an official "vampire warning" to villagers. Villagers were told to put garlic in their pockets and place wooden crosses in their rooms.

Some have brushed it off as a ploy to attract visitors the region which borders Bosnia.

"The story of Sava Savanovic is a legend, but strange things did occur in these parts back in the old days," one local housewife says. "We have inherited this legend from our ancestors, and we keep it alive for the younger generations."

Of course, the most famous vampire in the western world remains Dracula. The invention of novelist Bram Stoker, an Irish theatrical agent, he was inspired to write the story upon hearing the stories of vampires from Slavic immigrants that arrived in Europe to work as maids and laborers.

Vampire legends have played a big role in the Balkans for centuries. As late as the 18th century, the accusation of a person being a vampire wrought mass hysteria and public executions brought upon by mob violence.

The legend of Sava Savanovic still holds many in its grip. "One should always remain calm, it's important not to frighten him, you shouldn't make fun of him," one villager whose house is not far from the collapsed mill says.

"He is just one of the neighbors, you do your best to be on friendly terms with him," he added.

One local municipal council member is upfront about the economic opportunities the relighting of the vampire may bring to the area. "If Romanians could profit on the Dracula legend with the tourists visiting Transylvania, why can't we do the same with Sava?"

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Serbia, vampire, tourism, Sava Savanovic

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment