In the world, there are houses built according to an architecture that is, to say the least, unusual: carved into rock or erected in almost inaccessible locations. But there is one place that seems to challenge not only disbelief but also the laws of physics.
It is a tiny wooden house perched on a rock in the middle of a river, surrounded by the emerald-coloured waters of the Drina River, located on the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and by the lush green mountains of Tara National Park in Serbia. Fragile and resilient at the same time, the Drina House has become a true icon for those seeking homes completely isolated in nature.
What is the Drina House and where exactly is it located?
Is it possible to visit the house on the river?
The history of the floating house on the Drina River
What to see along the Drina River?
What is the Drina House and where exactly is it located?
The Drina House is a small wooden house built on a rock that emerges in the centre of the Drina River, opposite the town of Bajina Bašta, in western Serbia, just a few kilometres from the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From a geographical point of view, the Drina House is located along the national road connecting Bajina Bašta to the Perućac Dam, about 160 km southwest of Belgrade and 100 km from Užice. The rock on which the house stands emerges from a relatively calm stretch of the river, quite close to the bank, yet still in the middle of the riverbed. But how can you reach this magical place?
By car from Belgrade, travellers should follow the E763 motorway towards Čačak and then continue in the direction of Užice and Mokra Gora, finally turning towards Bajina Bašta. The journey takes, on average, between three and three and a half hours, depending on traffic and stops. Once in Bajina Bašta, it is possible to follow the signs leading to the riverbank, where the house can be seen.
Is it possible to visit the house on the river?
For those staying in the Zlatibor area, Mokra Gora or Tara National Park, the detour to see the house on the Drina River is short and absolutely worthwhile.
However, it can only be viewed from a distance: the small house is not open to the public as a regular museum or a private home available for visits, and there is no bridge or walkway allowing access on foot from the riverbank. During some summer periods, when the water is calm and the weather stable, local residents may reach the Drina House by boat or kayak for an excursion.
The history of the floating house on the Drina River
If the location of the house on the river is clearly unusual, its history is even more remarkable. During the early 1960s, in Bajina Bašta, a group of local young people were looking for a peaceful place to sunbathe, swim and spend time away from the crowds. They noticed a flat rock in the middle of the Drina River that was practically perfect as a natural platform for diving and relaxing.
They then began transporting boards and wooden planks in small boats and, piece by piece, built a platform and later a small structure to shelter themselves from the sun and wind. One of the main figures behind this adventure was Milija Mandić, often considered the “father” of the Drina House.
With the help of friends and acquaintances, he expanded and reinforced the structure over the years, always using materials that were easy to transport by water. Although several floods destroyed the house, the community of Bajina Bašta rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt the small house, demonstrating the strong emotional bond they have with this unusual place.
What to see along the Drina River?
The river, which along this stretch partly marks the natural border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, winds through mountains and hills, creating landscapes that are ideal for photography enthusiasts and outdoor activity lovers. Among the attractions in the area are:
  • The Banjska Stena viewpoint, from where visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view over the Drina canyon and the artificial Lake Perućac;
  • In addition, Lake Perućac, created by the dam on the Drina River, is another interesting stop. Here, visitors can take boat trips, swim in designated areas, go kayaking or simply relax;
  • Not far from Bajina Bašta, for example, lies the Rača Monastery, surrounded by forests at the foot of Mount Tara. It is a place of great historical and spiritual importance for Serbia, founded during the Middle Ages and rebuilt several times over the centuries.