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Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац, listen ) is a city in Serbia, and is the largest city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is the 4th largest city in the country after Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River. The city was founded in the year 1476. Kragujevac is known for its weapons, munitions and car factory, Zastava, which produces the Yugo, Florida, Zastava 10 (Punto, by Fiat licence) and Skala automobiles. The University of Kragujevac (f. 1976) is also located there. The first University in the newly independent Serbia was founded in this city in 1838, as well as the first Grammar School (Gimnazija), 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.
HistoryKragujevac was first mentioned in the medieval period as related to the public square built in a settlement, while the first written mention of the city was in the Turkish Tapu-Defter in 1476. Over 200 archeological sites in Šumadija confirm that the region's first human settlements occurred 40,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic era. Kragujevac's history runs deeper than that of Serbia's capital city, Belgrade.
The city is located at 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. It began to prosper after Serbia's liberation from Turkish rule in 1818, when Prince Miloš Obrenović proclaimed it the capital of the new Serbian State. 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, free ideas and resembled many European capitals of that time. Apart from contemporary political influence, Kragujevac became the cultural and educational center of Serbia. Important institutions built during that time include Serbia's first secondary school (Gimnazija), first pharmacy, and 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 Cannon Foundry began production, beginning a new era in the city’s economic development. The main industry of the 19th and 20th century was military production. Kragujevac became one of Serbia’s largest exporters in 1886, when the main Belgrade – Niš railway connected through Kragujevac.
During World War II Kragujevac suffered great losses. 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 between 2,300 and 7,000 Kragujevac citizens. (see Kragujevac October) In the post-war period, Kragujevac developed more industry. Its main exports were passenger cars, trucks and industrial vehicles, hunting arms, industrial chains, leather, and textiles. The biggest industry, and the city's main employer was Zastava, which employed tens of thousands. The industry suffered under economic sanctions during the Milošević era, and was all but destroyed by the NATO bombing campaign in 1999. Despite a possible deal with the Italian auto manufacturer, Fiat, to reopen the factory, the city currently suffers from widespread unemployment. Since 1976, Kragujevac has grown as a university center. The University of Kragujevac includes the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Law, Economics, Philology, Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Image:City of Kragujevac.JPG Municipalities of Kragujevac MunicipalitiesThe city of Kragujevac is divided into the following municipalities: SettlementsList of settlements in the municipalities of Kragujevac: Demographics (2002 census)Ethnic groups in the municipal area of Kragujevac (including all municipalities):
PoliticsSeats in the municipality parliament won in the 2004 local elections: [3]
Notable Buildings and MonumentsImage:Kragujevac- Muzej 21 oktobar.jpg Museum of Genocide in Kragujevac Image:Kragujevac - V3.jpg Monument V3 in Kragujevac The architecture of Kragujevac is rather interesting, displaying the fusion of two diametrically different styles -- traditional Turkish (nowadays almost completely gone) and 19th century Vienna Secession style. Modern conceptions also appear throughout the city, firstly in the shape of post war concrete (usually apartments designed to house those left homeless during World War II), and secondly the up-to-date glass offices reflecting the ambitious business aspects of modern architects. Some important buildings and institutions in Kragujevac include:
Famous residents
Sister citiesImage:SporazumSuresnes.jpg Suresnes sister cities agreement, as seen in Kragujevac city hall first floor
Other forms of cooperation and city friendship similar to the twin/sister city programmes:
See alsoNotes
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