Kuršumlija
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Town panorama from the hill Samokovo |
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Night panorama from old town |
Kuršumlija (Куршумлија, Kurshumlia) is a town and municipality located in the south of
Serbia, nearby the rivers
Toplica,
Kosanica and
Banjska, on the southeast of mountain
Kopaonik, and northwest of
Radan Mountain.
Kuršumlija sits on the area of 952 km² and administratively is in
Toplica District. Its borders the municipalities of
Brus,
Blace,
Prokuplje,
Medveđa,
Podujevo (Kosovo and Metohija), and
Leposavić (Kosovo and Metohija). Its southwest border (105km) is with
Kosovo and Metohija.
Kuršumlija Municipality include one urban and 89 rural settlements. According to the 2002 census there are 21,608 inhabitants in the municipality, 35% of that number are rural. By nationality, in Kuršumlija live mainly
Serbs (94.7%), and
Montenegrins (2.7%). The rest are
Roma and other minorities.
In the same location where Kuršumlija is now located, a Roman military base used to be in the 3rd century A.D. called Ad Fines. There are also remains of churches from Byzantine time. The Serbian medieval state started to develop here. Stefan Nemanja, Serbian lord (župan), and founder of Nemanjić dynasty, built his residence here, as well as the two monasteries of St. Nicolas and Holly Mother (before 1168).
There are a lot of historical sights in Kuršumlija from that era: Mara Tower, Ivan Tower, and many medieval churches. The name in that period was White Churches and Toplica. After the invasion of Turks in the 14th century, the Turks gave the town its current name, simple by translated the old name White Churches (Bele Crkve). Since 1878, Kuršumlija has been a part of the modern Serbian state, and survived all wars and adversities until present days.
Kuršumlija is known by the natural monument by the Radan Mountain, the so called
Devils Town (
Đavolja Varoš), unusual forms from earth and stones, created by the nature. There are three spas: Prolom Spa, Kuršumlija Spa and Lukovo Spa. Famous Prolom water is produced in Prolom Spa.
Serbian ruler duke
Stefan Nemanja establish his first capital here called Bele Crkve in 1166-1172. His wife Ana died and was buried here as nun St. Anastasia.
Sultania Mara, dother of despot Djuradj Brankovic, and later wife of osman emperor
Murat II, and step mother of emperor
Mehmed II also at the end of her life came to live here as non in monastery of Holy Mother of God, where she made a fortress called Maras Tower. She died in Ser 1487.
Kosta Pećanac, notable Serbian soldier in the I an II Warld War. His house is under protection of municipality Kursumlia.
Dragoljub Mićunović (born in 1930. in Merdare, Kurshumlia), prof. of philosophy in Belgrade University. He was disident during the comunism, and first president of Democratic party in Serbia. He was the first president of parliament of State Union of Serbia & Montenegro.
Rade Vučković, famous composer of popular music from 70s until today. His greataest hits are: Isidora, Sneg je opet Snezana, Nisam te se nagledao, Ja sam dete Kursumlije, Viki Viki Violeta and many others.
Žarko Dragojević, director, born in Kursumlia, professor in Faculty of drama in Belgrade University. Director of notable movies: Kuca pored pruge (Hows by the Railway), Noc u kuci moje majke (Night in my Mothers House). He also directed many documenataries, among them serial of Serbian monasteries for Serbian national television (RTS).
