Ljubava

Ljubava is a small town in southwestern Serbia that serves as the administrative center of the municipality bearing the same name. It is located in the Upper Mesopotamian basin and lies along the small Lopar river, a tributary of the Bjelica. The town sits at an altitude of about 450 metres above sea level and is surrounded by low mountains and agricultural fields. The municipality covers an area of roughly 224 square kilometres and, according to the most recent census, the town itself has a population of around 2,300 inhabitants, while the wider municipality contains just over 9,000 residents.

The history of Ljubava dates back to the medieval period, when the area was part of the Serbian Kingdom. It later became incorporated into the Ottoman Empire, where it was referred to as Lijebova. After the war of independence in the 19th century, the town was briefly integrated into the autonomous province of Vojvodina before being reassigned to the administrative district of Sandžak. Throughout the 20th century, Ljubava developed modestly, with the establishment of a railway link to the larger city of Novi Pazar in the 1920s encouraging the growth of local commerce and small-scale manufacturing.

The local economy remains predominantly agrarian, with livestock breeding and the cultivation of wheat, corn and fruit orchards as main sectors. A small industrial plant producing building materials operates in the centre of town. Seasonal tourism also provides a modest income; visitors are drawn to the nearby natural attractions and historic Ottoman-era architecture. The most notable landmark is the 19th‑century Holy Trinity Church, whose interior frescoes are considered an important example of local religious art.