It is written in some records from the beginning of the last century that Pozarevac was the city with 80 taverns, and only one doctor! Today that ratio is immensely different.
Požarevacis known for theimportant peace treaty which changed the borders of Europe of that time. The treaty was signed there by two vast forces of the time (Ottoman Empire and Habsburg Monarchy).
The city is situated on crossroads and between three rivers – The Danube, Mlava and Velika (“Great”) Morava, and its vicinity is known for its numerous landmarks. Požarevac, the center of Braničevo District, offers fun, picturesque nature, pleasant people and its very own cultural and historical heritage to its visitors.
Požarevac Peace Treaty
First mention of Požarevac dates from 1467, though it probably existed even before that. It entered the European history and culture in 1718, by signing the “Požarevac Peace Treaty”. Namely, the grand forces of that time, Austria and Turkey, achieved an agreement, a treaty by signing that document.
The city’s main street, Tabačka Čarsija (tabak – a Turkish word for leather, carsija – a Turkish word for street), used to smell like leather. During the time of the Ottomans, there were many leather workshops, after which the street itself got the name. The old street became a modern pedestrian zone. Even though its workshops were demolished, and replaced by multistory buildings, the name remains.
The city center, especially during the summer when it’s closed for traffic, is overflowing with cultural and art happenings. Walking down the main street you can get to the city park where you will find the Prince Miloš Obrenović’s monument. Next to the park there is the District edifice built in 1889, a grand building whose façade resembles the buildings of Italian renaissance.
In the city center there is also the National Museum, which is the second oldest in Serbia, right after Belgrade National Museum. There are several unique artifacts, the Calamus quill being the one that’s the most distinguishable. Romans used quills like this one for writing on the wax-covered tablets.
Near the museum there is the house where a famous Požarevac’s painter Milena Pavlović Barili was born. Her home was transformed into a memorial-gallery where you can observe and appreciate her works of art, and see her personal belongings and library.
Another famous Požarevac’s edifice, the Cathedral of Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel built in 1819, exists thanks to the Prince Miloš Obrenović.
National Museum, the second oldest in Serbia
Little farther away from the city center, there is a memorial park Čačalica located on the hill with the same name.
The park is adorned with thick forest, splendid greenery, three springs and vast space for peaceful relaxation and recreation. It’s no wonder that Čačalica is the favorite picnic spot of many Požarevac’s residents.
In the shadows of the thick forest there are many memorials dedicated to heroes who lost their lives in the WWII. The most beautiful and attention-grabbing memorial on this hill is the vast “Monument of Freedom”.
When you stand in its center, and turn your gaze upward to the starry skies you can see a five-pointed star. That’s exactly why this memorial is also nicknamed “Zvezda” (star).
While sights of Požarevac are enjoyed by the people of all sorts, its vicinity is a true magnet for archaeologists.
The most visited archaeological site Viminacium is located near Stari Kostolac. Viminacium was a military campground, and for a while even the capitol of a Roman province Upper Moesia (Moesia Superior).
There are numerous edifices and artifacts in this archaeological site that tell a historical story of this antique city: aqueducts, tombs, mausoleums, money, jewelry… all that is the evidence of a civilization that existed long ago. The complex is open for visitors, whose attention will certainly be directed to an enormous mammoth skeleton. The mammoth originates from the Miocene age, and her bones (yes, it is proven that it is a she-mammoth), are displayed a hundred feet above the ground.
Visitors of Požarevac will not be greeted by 80 taverns like in the old times. A few little taverns, lots of new cafés, restaurants with rich selection of national cuisine, will welcome in its loving arms the travelers who come there intentionally. And even those who just happen to wander in always wish to return to this paradise.
Everybody was eager to come back to Požarevac, and thus many prominent figures of Serbia frequently returned there, such as: Prince Miloš Obrenović, who chose Požarevac for his second capitol, and a long-term prime minister of the government of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the founder of People’s Radical Party, Nikola Pašić. And last but not the least, a famous painter, poet and bohemian Đura Jakšić.
How to get to Požarevac?
You can get to Požarevac quite easily, via highway E75 towards Niš, after the turn for Smederevo, 55 miles away from Belgrade.
While you are in Požarevac, do not miss: “Ljubičevo’s Equestrian Games” held in September, theatrical festivities “Milivoje Živanović” in April and international regional festival of alternative culture “Refract”.
Author of the article: Tanja Ivić
Photo 2: Foto 2: Wikimedia Commons, User:Laessig under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported licence.
