Jeleč, Medieval fortress at Rogozna mountain near Novi Pazar, Serbia

Jeleč is a medieval fortress located on a mountain near Novi Pazar that is surrounded by walls enclosing the remains of various structures. Inside the fortification were living spaces, a cistern, and several wells that provided water for the people who stayed there.

Jeleč was first certainly mentioned in the second half of the 13th century, though it was built earlier, on a peak of Rogozna at 1,262 m, guarding the frontier toward Byzantine and Bulgarian lands. In 1282 King Stefan Dragutin broke his leg hunting beneath the fort and ceded the throne to his brother Stefan Milutin at the council of Deževo. Under the Ottomans it became the centre of the Wilayah of Jeleč, which counted about one hundred settlements in the 1455 cadastral survey.

The name Jeleč also designates the northwest slope of Rogozna mountain today. Under Ottoman rule the fort became the seat of the Wilayah of Jeleč, which in the 1455 cadastral survey counted about one hundred settlements. A 1463 record assigns two villages to a gunner, Karagöz, for artillery service in the town.

Reaching the fortress requires a challenging hike through mountainous terrain, so sturdy footwear and reasonable fitness are important. Plan to carry water and allow extra time since the surrounding paths can be confusing to navigate.

A significant historical moment took place here when a Serbian king suffered a fall that changed his life and the kingdom's leadership. This incident influenced the succession decisions of the era.