Kosjerić (Serbia)
Municipality of Kosjerić is the northernmost municipality in Zlatibor District, in the western part of Serbia. According to the 2011 census, there are 12,083 inhabitants in 27 settlements, which are located mostly in river valleys, although there are settlements at over 1,000 m above sea level. The municipality has an area of 359 km2.
Cooperation agreement (at the level of twinning agreement) between the City of Bijeljina and the Municipality of Kosjerić was signed in 2013.
HISTORY
In the middle ages, this area was under the rule of the Nemanjić dynasty until Serbia fell under the Turkish occupation in 1463.
During the next two centuries, same as before the Turkish rule, different roads crossed here. They led to the Western Serbia, to Danube and towards east. Later wars between Austria and Turkey caused a decrease of population, which fled to other safer areas and remained there.
The exact time of founding the municipality of Kosjerić is hard to determine. A more pronounced influx of inhabitants started in the second part of the 18th century, right before the rebellion known as Koča's frontier (orig. Kočina krajina). People came from Montenegro, eastern Bosnia, from Zlatibor and Tara. The earliest settlers settled in Varda, Taor and Makovište.
It is believed that the earliest settlers originated from the Kosijer family. The stories say that Antonije Kosijer came from Kosijer, Montenegro, and brought his three sons with him. Then Jovan Baronin came from the village of Bare, and also his sister with her seven sons.
There were settlers from villages of Divac and Montenegrin Kolašin. In 1854, certain Antonije Radojević settled next to his roadside inn. This encouraged other traders and farmers to build their houses and shops in the same location. Later, as the settlement grew, Antonije Radojević managed to move the county seat from Užice to this new settlement. Kosjerić started to develop rapidly in 1882, so in 1893 it was titled town. The building of the railroad Belgrade-Bar in 1972 marked a new phase in the development of Kosjerić.
ECONOMY
The most developed are metal, chemical, textile and construction materials industry, and also agriculture.
Titan cement factory in Kosjerić was established in 1976, and thanks to the high quality cement and professional relationship with customers, it secured a good position in the markets of Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGHTS
The territory of the municipality has close to a hundred cultural and historical monuments, of which the most important is the cottage church in the village of Seča Reka. It was built in the 15th century, and it was destroyed and restored several times. It got its current appearance during Karađorđe’s rule, in 1812. Some valuable icons are kept in the church, holy doors brought from Herzegovina, chalice from 1812, and relics from the Holy Mountain.
Among the architectural monuments, the most important is the Old Inn, built by the founder of Kosjerić – Antonije Kosijer, in the mid 19th century.
CULTURAL EVENTS
In addition to village tourism, Kosjerić is known for various events. The most significant are “Art Camp” and “Shepherd's Days”.
“Art Camp” is usually organised during summer, and the focus is on the dialogue between young artists who use their artistic expressions to show forms, shapes and events which are in correlation and enrich them with new meanings.
Tourist-cultural event “Shepherd's Days” is a special assembly of folk art, which became recognisable, affirming the authentic display of rich folk, culinary and sport tradition of the Serbs. “Shepherd's Days” start on Saint Paul's Day, on 13th August, respecting the tradition of organising a fair on this day when shepherds competed in strength and skills.
LINKS
www.kosjeric.rs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosjerić
Cooperation agreement (at the level of twinning agreement) between the City of Bijeljina and the Municipality of Kosjerić was signed in 2013.
HISTORY
In the middle ages, this area was under the rule of the Nemanjić dynasty until Serbia fell under the Turkish occupation in 1463.
During the next two centuries, same as before the Turkish rule, different roads crossed here. They led to the Western Serbia, to Danube and towards east. Later wars between Austria and Turkey caused a decrease of population, which fled to other safer areas and remained there.
The exact time of founding the municipality of Kosjerić is hard to determine. A more pronounced influx of inhabitants started in the second part of the 18th century, right before the rebellion known as Koča's frontier (orig. Kočina krajina). People came from Montenegro, eastern Bosnia, from Zlatibor and Tara. The earliest settlers settled in Varda, Taor and Makovište.
It is believed that the earliest settlers originated from the Kosijer family. The stories say that Antonije Kosijer came from Kosijer, Montenegro, and brought his three sons with him. Then Jovan Baronin came from the village of Bare, and also his sister with her seven sons.
There were settlers from villages of Divac and Montenegrin Kolašin. In 1854, certain Antonije Radojević settled next to his roadside inn. This encouraged other traders and farmers to build their houses and shops in the same location. Later, as the settlement grew, Antonije Radojević managed to move the county seat from Užice to this new settlement. Kosjerić started to develop rapidly in 1882, so in 1893 it was titled town. The building of the railroad Belgrade-Bar in 1972 marked a new phase in the development of Kosjerić.
ECONOMY
The most developed are metal, chemical, textile and construction materials industry, and also agriculture.
Titan cement factory in Kosjerić was established in 1976, and thanks to the high quality cement and professional relationship with customers, it secured a good position in the markets of Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGHTS
The territory of the municipality has close to a hundred cultural and historical monuments, of which the most important is the cottage church in the village of Seča Reka. It was built in the 15th century, and it was destroyed and restored several times. It got its current appearance during Karađorđe’s rule, in 1812. Some valuable icons are kept in the church, holy doors brought from Herzegovina, chalice from 1812, and relics from the Holy Mountain.
Among the architectural monuments, the most important is the Old Inn, built by the founder of Kosjerić – Antonije Kosijer, in the mid 19th century.
CULTURAL EVENTS
In addition to village tourism, Kosjerić is known for various events. The most significant are “Art Camp” and “Shepherd's Days”.
“Art Camp” is usually organised during summer, and the focus is on the dialogue between young artists who use their artistic expressions to show forms, shapes and events which are in correlation and enrich them with new meanings.
Tourist-cultural event “Shepherd's Days” is a special assembly of folk art, which became recognisable, affirming the authentic display of rich folk, culinary and sport tradition of the Serbs. “Shepherd's Days” start on Saint Paul's Day, on 13th August, respecting the tradition of organising a fair on this day when shepherds competed in strength and skills.
LINKS
www.kosjeric.rs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosjerić
