Kragujevac

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Kragujevac (Крагујевац) (population around 200,000) is a city in Serbia and the prime city of the Šumadija region. It is located on the Lepenica River at 44.02° North, 20.92° East. Kragujevac is known for its weapons munitions and car factory, Zastava, which produces Yugo automobiles. The University of Kragujevac (f. 1976) is also located there. The first University in Serbia was founded in this city in 1838, as well as the first Grammar school (Gymnasium), Printworks (both in 1833), Theatre (1834) and Military school (1837). During the period of 1818- 1839, Kragujevac was the capital of a Domain of Serbia, during the reign of the Serbian prince Miloš Obrenović.

Kragujevac experienced a lot of historical turbulence, not always without severe casulties.First mentioned in Turkish documents from the 15th century as a "village of Kragujevdza" (the name comes after the bird griphon - "kraguj" in Serbian), Kragujevac has undergone a number of ordeals, and the worst must be the massacre of males and a number of schoolchildren in World War II, when Nazis shot 7000 people on October 21, 1941, retaliating for a partisan attack on German soldiers - 50 people for one wounded, 100 for a dead soldier. Among the killed was a whole generation of boys taken directly from the school. The monument for the executed pupils is a symbol of the city. This atrocity has inspired a poem Krvava bajka (Bloody fairy tale) by Desanka Maksimović, a well known female poet from the former Yugoslavia.

The architecture of Kragujevac is rather interesting, displaying the fusion of two diametrically different styles -- traditional Turkish (nowadays almost completely gone) and 19th century German "secession" style. Modern conceptions have not passed by Kragujevac, but they were manifestly influenced by the architectural thought of Communist socialist realism.

It is the administrative center of the Šumadija District of Serbia.

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History

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The history of the City is rich with events that changed the course of the history, economy and culture of this part of the world and the Balkans. Kragujevac was first mentioned in the Medieval time as related to the public square built in a settlement, while the first written traces originate from TAPU-DEFTER in 1476. Over 200 archeological sites in Šumadija confirm the fact that life in this region began to pulsate in the ancient time of Paleolite 40.000 years ago. The history of Kragujevac runs deeper than the history of the capital City of Belgrade.

Kragujevac is located at a crossroads. Given this location, the city has been devastated many times and has suffered great losses of life in a number of wars throughout history. Kragujevac began to prosper in 1818 when Prince Milos Obrenovic proclaimed it the capital of the new Serbian State, and began to lay the first foundations of Serbia. The first Serbian Constitution was proclaimed here in 1835 and the first idea of the independent electoral democracy. The first Law on the Printing Press was passed in Kragujevac in 1870. Kragujevac, the capital, was developing and cherishing modern, progressive and free ideas and resembled many European capitals of that time.

Apart from the political influence of the time, Kragujevac became the cultural and educational center of the state. Most important institutions built were: The First Grammar School, the first Pharmacy, and the first printing press. Kragujevac gave rise to many international scholars, professors, academics, scientists, artists and statesmen.

The turning point in the overall development of Kragujevac was in 1851 when the Canon Foundry began production. The new era in the City’s economic development began. The main industry of the XIX and XX century was military production. Kragujevac has been one of Serbia’s largest exporters from 1886 when the main railway Belgrade –Nis connected Kragujevac.

New centuries brought new wars. In the World War I Kragujevac again became the seat of many state institutions - even the Supreme army command was housed within the Court House building. During the war Kragujevac lost 15% of its population.

In the World War II Kragujevac suffered great losses in human life and was devastated and destroyed. October 21, 1941 was the most tragic day in the history of Kragujevac. On that day fascists committed one of the biggest mass crimes when they shot several thousand Kragujevac citizens. In the post war period Kragujevac developed more industry. Industry has been developed by the economic activity of many enterprises, their main products of export has been passenger cars and industrial vehicles, hunting arms, industrial chains, leather and textiles. Since 1976, Kragujevac has grown as a University center.

Kragujevac was the first Serbian capital after the liberation of the Turkish rule. The old church of Descent of the Holy Spirit was built in 1818, as a part of the Prince Milos' court. Its interior was decorated from 1818 to 1822. The new belfry was built in 1907.

The Old Parliament was built in the court of the church where the first parliamentary meeting was held in 1859. Many events of great historical importance such as verifying The Berlin Congress Decision about the Independence of Serbia have taken place in it. After the conservation made in 1992, the building was converted into a Museum.

The Amidža Konak was built by the Prince Milos in 1820, as a residential house. It is one of the finest examples of regional architecture in Serbia. It now houses the National Museum exhibitions.

The Prince Mihailo Konak was built in 1860. Its architecture blends local tradition with European architectural concepts. The building is now the National Museum.

High School, Licee, was built from 1885 to 1887 after the designs made out at the Ministry of Civil Engineering. It is one of our oldest edifices designed in European manner in which the tradition of the oldest Serbian Licee from 1833 is keeping on. The academic approach in designing and eclectical outside decoration resulted the fine proportions of the building. Some Serbian famous scientists, artists and politicians were educated in this school.

These institutions continue to promote cultural activities in modern Serbia. Theater "Joakim Vujic" (founded in 1835), National Library "Vuk Karadžić" (1866), Cultural and Artistic Group "Abrasevic" (1904).

Memorial Park "October of Kragujevac" - October 21, 1941 was the most tragic day in the history of Kragujevac. On that day fascists committed one of the biggest mass crimes when they shot several thousand Kragujevac citizens.

The National Museum has various displays including those pertaining to archeology, ethnic diversity, history of Kragujevac and Sumadija and many paintings. The archeology department has a rich collection of 10 000 exponents and over 100 000 study items. The painting department has over 1000 pieces of prominent Serbian art of extraordinary value.

The "Zastava Museum" is located within the old gun foundry and exhibits the history of industrial development in Kragujevac and Serbia.

The Historical Archives of Sumadia collects and files the archives and issues of the seven municipalities of Sumadija and has at its disposal 700 meters of archive issues with 780 registries and hundreds of thousands of original historical documents.

Touristic offer include rich cultural and monumental heritage and specific areas that promote the range of scenic attractions within short distance. Spas Vrnjacka and Mataruska; Castle of Karadjordje, Famous churches Saint George at Topola 40km far; Old monastery of Kalenić 55km far; Resorts of Rogot 28km, Stragari 34 km far with old monasteries of Blagovestenje and Voljavca; Spa Aranđelovac.

Tourist information and accommodation:

Tourist organization of Kragujevac 34000 Kragujevac, Kragujevačkog oktobra 98 +381 34/334 054, 334 883 fax: +381 34/335 302

Inhabited places

  • Kragujevac – 211.580
    • Kragujevac city – 193.930

There are 5 municipalities, 4 urban and 1 suburban.

  • Aerodrom - urban
    • Aerodrom
    • Uglješnica
    • Vinogradi
    • Šumarice
    • Jovanovac,
    • Cvetojevac
    • Resnik
    • Novi Milanovac
    • Petrovac
    • Opornica
    • Desimirovac
    • Cerovac
    • Lužnice
    • Gornje Jarušice
    • Čumić
    • Mali Šenj
    • Pajazitovo
    • Mironić
    • Gornje Grbice
    • Šljivovac
    • Poskurice
  • Pivara - urban
    • Pivara
    • Lepenica
    • Ilićevo
    • Filip Kljajić
    • Bresnica 3
    • Beloševac
    • Teferič
    • Botunje
    • Korman
    • Donje Komarice
    • Gornje Komarice
    • Velika Sugubina
    • Bukurovac,
    • Jabučje
    • MaršićTrmbas
    • Donja Sabanta
    • Gornja Sabanta
    • Velike Pčelice
    • Dulene
    • Baljkovac


  • Stanovo - urban
    • Stanovo
    • Veliko Polje
    • Korićani
    • Male Pčelice - Staro selo
    • Male Pčelice
    • Novo Naselje
    • Trešnjevak
    • Adžine Livade
    • Erdeč
    • Vinjište
    • Goločelo
    • Grošnica
    • Dragobraća
    • Đuriselo
    • Drenovac
    • Drača
    • Divostin
    • Prekopeča
    • Rogojevac
    • Kutlovo
  • Stara Varoš (Old City) - urban
    • Prvi maj
    • Bagremar
    • Bubanj
    • Centar
    • 21.oktobar
    • Erdoglija
    • Palilule
    • Stara radnička kolonija
    • Vašarište
    • Sušica
  • Stragari - suburban
    • Stragari
    • Veliki Šenj
    • Vlakča
    • Dobrača
    • Kamenica
    • Kotraža
    • Ljubičevac
    • Mala Vrbica
    • Masloševo
    • Ramaća
    • Ugljarevac

Executive government Mayor (Gradonačelnik), City council (Skupština Grada)

Mayor Veroljub Stevanović

Area 835 km²

Population - total 211.580 (2002)

Founded 1476

Area code 034

City web site

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External links

de:Kragujevac hr:Kragujevac it:Kragujevac nl:Kragujevac pl:Kragujevac sr:Крагујевац sv:Kragujevac