Abandoned Hotel in Serbia Becomes Source of Distress for Locals

The former "Jablanica" hotel in Valjevo, Serbia, once a symbol of a successful construction firm, now stands as a derelict monument to neglect. For decades, the building has been abandoned and systematically devastated, leaving residents of surrounding areas feeling unsafe due to nightly disturbances and frequent police calls.

Local resident Gordana Ostojić, who has lived in the area for four decades, recalls the hotel's vibrant past. "It's terrible living here, awful. They gather here all night, the police constantly intervene, passersby use it for restrooms. You can't sleep at night because of the noise. We are terribly upset," she said, remembering when the hotel was operational and hosted weddings and celebrations in its garden.

The state acquired the 2,000-square-meter property in 2019 for 182.4 million dinars, with purported plans to transform it into a Regional Center for Science and Education. The Ministry of Education and Science was reportedly given stewardship, but the project never materialized. The building's garden, once a venue for festivities, is now used for airsoft war games by a local club.

Members of the Airsoft club have sought official permission to use and maintain the space but have faced bureaucratic runaround. They were directed to various government bodies, including the Directorate for Property-Legal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, the Valjevo Directorate of Urbanism, the Agricultural School, and the Ministry of Education, without receiving a clear answer on jurisdiction or permission. The Ministry of Education and the Valjevo communal services have not responded to inquiries about the hotel's fate or maintenance.