Generalski Stol got its name just as you might imagine. It’s the place where the general’s judicial table stood, where justice was dispensed during the turbulent times of wars in this region. Once called Lipovac after the angelic linden tree, Generalski Stol eventually took on its current name. Reasons to visit this area might lie among the sarcophagi of Mateško Selo or in the thermal waters of Lešće.

The liveliest time to visit Generalski Stol is during the carnival season. Even if you hadn't planned to stop here, don't be surprised if you're halted on the road by a policewoman on horseback or by the main deity of ancient Slavs—after all, this is the land of the linden tree, the sacred tree of the Slavs.

The center of Generalski Stol is the historic core of the whole area, featuring an interesting church built ‘upside down.’ When building the church, the old craftsmen adapted the blueprint to the terrain, creating a Catholic church with the entrance facing east and the altar on the west side. One of the houses in the center was built by a craftsman who had honed his skills working on the Taj Mahal. Here, a rich ethnographic collection showcases the local tradition, dating back to when the same house hosted a tavern, a guest room, and a stable for changing horses. The current kindergarten was once a gendarmerie, and from the parish house still run the channels that brought rainwater to the drinking troughs.

If you head to relax at the Lešće Spa, you’ll cross the bridge over the Globornica River. This bridge is unusual in that it’s shaped like the letter S, and legend has it that the bridge's builder was so in love with the beautiful Slavica that he constructed the bridge in her honor. Lešće Spa, known for its thermal waters, was famous even to the ancient Romans, so come and experience it too. While in Lešće, take a stroll through the spa park, which is a monument to garden architecture.

In the area, it’s worth visiting the church of St. George, the oldest church in the region, constructed almost entirely from Roman stone sarcophagi. The church’s foundations are built from sarcophagus lids, and the sarcophagus chests were used to build the church’s corners, reaching all the way to the roof.

And don’t forget the Mrežnica River. In the area around Generalski Stol, you’ll count 22 waterfalls along its course.

Photo: Aleksandar Gospic, Source: Croatian National Tourist Board