Kragujevac

Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац, pronounced ^ⓘ) is the fourth largest city in Serbia. It is the main city of the Šumadija District. The city sits along the Lepenica River. In 2022, about 146,318 people lived there.

Kragujevac has a rich history. It was the first capital of modern Serbia. The first constitution in the Balkans, called the Sretenje Constitution, was announced there in 1835. During a difficult time in the past, many people sadly lost their lives in the city.

Today, Kragujevac is known for its strong industries. It makes weapons at Zastava Arms and cars at Fiat Serbia. The city is also a good place for learning, with the University of Kragujevac being one of the biggest universities nearby.

Etymology

The name Kragujevac comes from the word kraguj, the Serbian name for the cinereous vulture. In the Middle Ages, these birds lived in the woods nearby and were used for hunting. The city’s name means “kraguj’s tower,” and the bird is on the city’s coat of arms.

History

Early and medieval

Many old ruins in Šumadija show people lived there over 40,000 years ago in the Paleolithic era. Near the village of Gradac, the Jerina cave was home to people from about 37,000 years ago to 27,000 years ago. Dugouts from 5,000 BC were found close to the city in places like Grivac, Kusovac, Divostin, Donje Grbice, and Dobrovodica. These belong to the Neolithic Starčevo culture, spread along river valleys like Lepenica and Gruža. Famous items include fertility figurines called Divostinke, meaning "Girls from Divostin."

When the Romans came in 9 AD, the area had Illyrians (mainly the Dardani) and Celts (the Scordisci). Later, Slavs moved in, along with Hunnic and Germanic tribes. The area became part of the First Bulgarian Empire. Then, Stefan Nemanja captured it between 1198 and 1199 for the medieval Serbian state. Though people likely lived there by then, the city isn’t mentioned in old Serbian records.

The city was first written about in 1476 in an Ottoman survey after becoming part of the Sanjak of Smederevo. Called 'Kraguyfoça,' it had 32 houses around a old market square. The area was mostly empty, even the forests were gone. But by 1536, the town had 7 Muslim neighborhoods with 56 houses and a Christian community of 29 houses. A mosque stood on the left bank of the Lepenica River.

Habsburg-Ottoman conflict and major revolts

Kragujevac’s location between the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman Empire caused frequent fights. During the Great Turkish War, Austrians pushed the Turks south, but this didn’t last. In 1718, Kragujevac became part of the Habsburg Kingdom of Serbia after Prince Eugene of Savoy’s conquest and the Treaty of Passarowitz.

Under Austrian rule, Kragujevac was fortified. Muslims left, and it became a town for Serbian soldiers and their families. It was controlled by a Serbian military officer, Staniša Marković Mlatišuma, and had a strong military presence. The town changed hands between the Ottomans and Austrians until Serbian rebels took over.

Kragujevac was very important for the Sanjak of Smederevo under Ottoman rule, so it became a center for the Serbian Revolution led by Karađorđe. It was first freed on April 5, 1804, during the First Serbian Uprising and fully freed in 1815 during the Second Serbian Uprising.

In 1818, Miloš Obrenović made Kragujevac the capital of the Principality of Serbia on May 6. He built a royal residence on the Lepenica river’s left bank. Amidža Konak is the only remaining building from that time and a key Ottoman landmark. Kragujevac became home to important institutions like the first courthouse, grammar school, and theater. The first Serbian constitution, the Sretenje Constitution, was announced there on September 15, 1835. It was one of Europe’s most modern constitutions at the time.

Industrial development

Even though Belgrade became the capital in 1841, Kragujevac grew as an industrial center. The city’s modernization began with a foundry complex in 1835, which became VTZ, Serbia’s main weapons maker. The complex finished in 1850, and the first cannon was made in 1853. It was called the 'Knez’s arsenal,' led by French engineer Charles Loubry.

Industry grew fast after VTZ. The first telephone exchange opened in 1858, and the first brewery in 1868 by Nikola Mesarović. The first printing press started in 1870. The Belgrade–Niš railroad was built in 1886 to connect the city’s industries. More buildings like the first grammar school, pharmacy, cinema, park, and urban plan were added by the end of the 19th century. Workers held protests called the Crveni barjak ('Red banner') demonstrations starting February 27, 1876. Today, VTZ’s old buildings are protected as important cultural sites.

World War I

During World War I, Kragujevac was Serbia’s capital from 1914 to 1915, hosting many government offices. A Scottish hospital for women worked there from December 1914 to November 1915. Kragujevac lost some of its people during the war. In June 1918, some Slovak soldiers in the city center refused to follow orders. The uprising failed, and many soldiers were punished.

Yugoslavia

After World War I, Kragujevac joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later called the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The city kept growing with new theaters and factories.

When Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia, Kragujevac was occupied. After attacks near Gornji Milanovac, many people were harmed in October 1941. The city was freed from Nazi control on October 21, 1944.

After the war, Kragujevac kept growing its industry, making cars, trucks, weapons, chains, leather, and textiles. Zastava Automobiles became a major employer, producing over five million cars in decades. The city faced hard times during economic sanctions in the 1990s and damage from NATO bombing in 1999.

Kragujevac today

Kragujevac remains an important industrial city in Serbia. It has grown with students and people who moved there from wars. In 2010, the city signed an agreement with a German group to help development. By 2030, the city plans to improve its center. Some old industrial areas are being turned into homes, shops, and schools while keeping important historic parts safe.

Geography and infrastructure

Kragujevac is a city in Serbia. It sits 180 metres above sea level in the valley of the Lepenica River. The city is surrounded by the Rudnik, Crni Vrh, and Gledić mountains. It covers an area of 835 square kilometres and is in the Šumadija region, which has rolling hills and fertile orchards.

The city has different styles of buildings. Older ones show influences from Vienna, while newer ones include modern glass offices and concrete apartment blocks from the time of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Important landmarks are the old church of Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Old Parliament building, and several historic konaks. The Upper Park is the largest green space, with walking paths, sports facilities, and beautiful trees. Nearby attractions include Aranđelovac and Gornji Milanovac.

Kragujevac has good transportation links. It is connected to Belgrade and other cities by bus and train, with a central station near the city centre. Local buses and taxis serve the area, and there are several parking spots around the city. The climate is humid subtropical, with warm summers and mild winters. Winds often come from the southwest and northwest.

Municipalities and settlements

From May 2002 until March 2008, the city of Kragujevac had five areas:

• Aerodrom
• Pivara
• Stanovo
• Stari Grad
• Stragari

Here is a list of places in the city of Kragujevac:

Demographics

According to the 2022 census, Kragujevac has 146,315 people living in the city itself, and 171,186 people in the larger area around it.

Most people are between 15 and 64 years old. Many work in metalworking or medical and social services. Most people have secondary education, and some have college or university degrees.

The city has good services, with water, sewage, natural gas, and cell phone networks covering most of the area.

Politics

The 2012 local elections in Kragujevac had 87 seats. Here are the results:

• Together for Šumadija-United Regions of Serbia won 37 seats.
• Let's Get Kragujevac Moving won 18 seats.
• Democratic Party-Social Democratic Party of Serbia won 12 seats.
• SPS-PUPS-JS won 10 seats.
• Liberal Democratic Party-Serbian Renewal Movement won 5 seats.
• Democratic Party of Serbia won 5 seats.

Economy

Kragujevac has been an important place for making and trading for over two centuries, especially for cars and tools. The old Zastava Automobiles company was bought by Fiat in 2008, and a new company called FCA Srbija started. Fiat brought in partners like Magneti Marelli for car parts, Johnson Controls for seats and car interiors, Sigit for plastic and rubber pieces, and HTL for wheels.

The city also makes tools for ships, oil platforms, and machines. Companies like Meggle AG for dairy products, Unior Components for special machine parts, and big shopping places like Metro Cash and Carry and Mercator work in Kragujevac. There are also many local businesses that help with making things.

Kragujevac has a big trade fair that started in 2005, with lots of space for shows and other activities. As of September 2017, Kragujevac has one of the special areas in Serbia where businesses can operate with fewer rules.

Society and culture

Education

Kragujevac has 22 primary schools and 8 secondary schools. There are also three special schools for children who need extra help, including a school for children who cannot hear well.

The University of Kragujevac began in 1976. It is the fourth largest university in Serbia and has 12 different schools and two institutes in nearby cities. About 16,000 students study there.

Culture

Kragujevac has many important places for art and history. These include a theatre from 1835, a big library, art groups, and museums. The museums show things from long ago, paintings, and old tools from a factory.

The city holds many special events each year, like music festivals, theatre shows, and art workshops.

Sports

Kragujevac has a big stadium and many sports clubs. The city’s most famous football team is FK Radnički 1923, and there is also an old football club from 1903 called FK Šumadija 1903. The city has strong teams in basketball, volleyball, and water polo too.

Local media

Notable people

Kragujevac has been home to many important people. Some of these include Milan Obrenović II and Mihailo Obrenović III, princes of Serbia. Tomislav Nikolić was President of Serbia from 2012 to 2017. The city has produced famous athletes like Filip Kostić, a well-known footballer, and Radomir Putnik, the first Serbian Field Marshal.

Other well-known people from Kragujevac include writers, actors, musicians, and sports stars. Examples are Marija Šerifović, the Eurovision Song Contest winner in 2007, and Nikola Lončar, a Serbian basketball player who won many international medals.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Serbia

Twin towns – Sister cities

Kragujevac is twinned with:

Partnerships and cooperation

The town works with other cities in friendly ways, similar to twin cities.