R i tam Srbi je / Rhythm of Serbia 84 | Kragujevac » Kragujevac the Zastava Arms factory. This is the oldest preserved part of the military factory, which was itself the first of its kind in the then Principality of Serbia, and the museum collection encompasses some 5,500 objects. The area alongside themuseum is often used as a filmshoot location, while the famous Arsenal Fest music festival is also held there each June. There is also a reinforced concrete bridge on this spot, representing one of the first two to be built in Serbia, in 1923 and 1924. The country’s bridges had previously been made mostly of wood and stone. The first secondary school in Serbia was founded here in 1833, and received its own building in 1887, which can still be seen today. Many famous figures attended school here, such as Radomir Putnik and Jovan Ristić, while at one time famous poet and painter Đura Jakšić was among its lecturers. It was here, on 21st October 1941, that invading German soldiers rounded up a large number of pupils and teachers and led them away to be shot, which is why one of the school’s rooms was turned into a memorial classroom. Nearby stands another important building: Kragujevac Theatre, while there is also the Tržnica bazaar, which was the first coveredmarket in Europe. Set aside a little time to tour the House ofĐura Jakšić. Itwas here that the Serbianpainter and poet lived and worked during his time in Kragujevac, while it is today used as a venue to host exhibitions and literary evenings. Inmemoryof thevictimsof theOctober1941shootings, theentireareaof Šumaricawas turned intoaMemorial Parkcoveringanareaof352hectares.The “Kragujevac October” Park was founded in 1953 and the memorial complex is traversed by a seven-kilometre-long circular road. Visitors can see the locations of 30 mass graves. At the entrance stands the building of the 21st October Museum,whichwas intentionallydesignedwithoutwindows anddoors to represent all the tragedyandhopelessnessof unarmedcitizens confrontedbyGermansoldiers. The museum preserves poignant documents related to this date in 1941, when Nazis shot and killed approximately 3,000 citizens, includingmany children, in retaliation for the 10 German soldiers who were killed and 26wounded in the battle of the previous days. Austrian General Franz Boehme ordered “100 for one” be shot. Visit “V/3”, the saddest monument. For lovers of active holidays, we recommend hiking, as Kragujevac, which occupies the Lepenica valley, is surrounded by the foothills of the Gledić Mountains, Crni vrh andRudnik. Equestrian sports also have a long tradition in Kragujevac, and local stables, an equestrian club, and even rural households, go out of their way to accommodate both novices and experienced riders. While we’re on the subject of villages, there are many in the municipality of Kragujevac that provide perfect conditions for rural tourism, with affordable prices and hosts that preparemealsmade fromingredients sourced from their own estates. Fine foods go well when paired withfinewines and, knowing that theOrder of Šumadija’sWineKnights operates inKragujevac, wine lovers really have reason to rejoice here. Foto:Depositphotos
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