The mosaic above the reception at Hotel Palisad – Zlatibor travel & wellness

Zlatibor is synonymous with Serbian tourism, and Hotel Palisad is synonymous with this mountain. Both the most beautiful Serbian mountain and its largest hotel are connected to many fascinating stories. One of them is the remarkable mosaic that stretches above the reception desk, created on ceramic tiles based on the idea of the sculptor Ana Bešlić.

Across five panels, sequences from Slavic history and mythology are depicted, thoughtfully connected both to this region and to the beginnings of tourism on Zlatibor.

1 The Sun – The Beginning

The first image presents the Sun (Solnce), revered in ancient Slavic mythology as a symbol of life, birth, and omnipresence. Its rays spread evenly in all directions. Doves carrying olive branches fly toward it — universal symbols of peace. Their ascent toward the Sun represents the celebration of life and its essence. Within the solar circle appears the portrait of the hotel’s architect, Jovanka Jeftanović.

2 Dažbog – The Sun God

The second image portrays Dažbog (Dajbog), the Slavic god of the Sun, fire, and rain. As a deity who “gives,” he symbolizes sunlight and life itself. The Sun held immense importance for the ancient Slavs as the foundation of existence and positivity. Dažbog was represented by the solar disk and was seen as the protector of the household hearth.

He was also embodied in the form of a white wolf — a symbol of death and rebirth, reflecting the eternal struggle and continuity of life. This scene can also evoke the Norse myth of Ragnarok, where a wolf devours the Sun, symbolizing destruction followed by renewal. It reflects the transition from pagan polytheism to monotheism — the arrival of Christianity.

3 Time – The Eternal Flow

The central panel features a complex clock containing numerical markings, zodiac signs, and a compass with cardinal directions — uniting astronomical and astrological dimensions of space and time. Around the dial winds a vine motif, a common element in Serbian medieval art influenced by Byzantine painting.

Time occupies the central place in this composition, symbolizing both beginning and duration — the essence of earthly existence.

4 The Ship – The Journey

The fourth image depicts a ship sailing across restless seas, sails stretched, anchor raised, and a globe wrapped in wide ribbons symbolizing roads and connections. The vessel sails confidently toward a “brighter future,” suggested by the inscription on the right side.

This is not just any voyage — it represents the journey of the first tourists. Tourism is portrayed as progress, prosperity, and optimism for the future.

5 The Moon – Reflection and Continuity

The final image shows the Moon (Luna), within whose crescent appears the portrait of the hotel’s first director, P. Mihajlović. If the first panel symbolizes birth and daylight, this one represents night, silence, and contemplation of the future.

In the background, a boy is seen waving. He may be bidding farewell — or welcoming someone. The child runs joyfully with an outstretched hand, inviting “someone” not to pass by the rolling landscapes of Zlatibor.

This subtly conveys an essential truth of tourism: bidding farewell to a satisfied guest with respect is just as important as welcoming a new one. True success is complete only when the guest returns.