The South Banat District, or Juznobanatski Okrug, is found in the eastern part of Serbia and is part of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Its western boundaries are defined by the Danube and Tamis rivers, while the eastern border abuts Romania. To the north, it shares borders with adjacent municipalities, including Secanj and Zrenjanin, in the Central Banat District. Encompassing an area spanning 4,245 square kilometers, this district comprises 94 settlements with a population of 293,370 inhabitants.[4] Historically, South Banat was part of a larger Banat region, which was bordered by Transylvania, Walachia, the Tisza River, the Mures River, and the Danube. Over time, the region was divided, with South Banat becoming part of Serbia.[1] The capital city of Juznobanatski Okrug is Pancevo, which stands as the region's industrial and cultural hub.[8] On the opposite side of the district in its northeastern portion is the city of Vrsac, which tends to be visited not only for its historical and cultural landmarks but also for the nearby Vrsac Mountains.[11] However, Vrsac Mountains aren't the only natural destination within the South Banat District's borders. The central southern part of the region is covered by the Deliblato Sands, which is the most extensive continental sandy terrain in Europe.[10]
Pancevo, the capital city of South Banat, is known for its industrial presence, but it is also a cultural hub that intends to preserve the region's traditional values. Pancevo's industrial heritage can be observed along the Thames riverbanks in the Old Town. From factories and warehouses to cafes and historic sites such as the Hungarian Royal Silk Mill and a grain warehouse, these landmarks tell the story of the city's industrial past. Moreover, Pancevo showcases numerous cultural and historical monuments, reflecting the city's history and diversity. These include Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox churches, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Charles Borromeo, the Synagogue, and the sundial and City Hall clock.
Cultural institutions within Pancevo include the National Museum, which houses various departments, a library, a photo laboratory, and other features.[8]
Tourists seeking outdoor destinations can visit the Vršac Mountains, also known as Vršac Hill, in the southeastern part of South Banat. As the highest point in Vojvodina, Gudurički Vrh at 641 meters stands in contrast to the lowest point, the confluence of the Nera and the Danube at 66 meters.
These mountains have earned the title of a nature park due to their position in Juznobanatski Okrug, diverse flora and fauna, numerous lookouts with panoramic views, and varying landscapes. Visitors can embark on a journey from the plains to the "roof of Vojvodina," where they can observe panoramic vistas encompassing Deliblato Sands, parts of the Djerdap Gorge, Kostolac chimneys, and even glimpses of neighboring Romania.
Other notable peaks in the Vršac Mountains include Lisičja Glava, Đakov Vrh, and Vršačka Kula, with steep northern slopes and slowly descending southern ones featuring vineyards.
Additionally, the area is home to historical and cultural sites, including the Središte Monastery, Mesic Monastery, and the Vrsac Tower, all contributing to the region's heritage.[7]
At the foothills of the Vrsac Mountains stands the city of Vrsac, which poses another tourist destination. Visitors can stroll through Jaše Tomića Street, featuring preserved period houses in the Vojvodina style, such as a bright yellow residence dating back to 1608. Dvorska Street hosts the Palace of the Bishop of Banat, a grand Baroque building, and the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas, showcasing Paja Jovanović's paintings and a restored iconostasis. The Pharmacy on the Steps Museum, Vršac's first pharmacy turned museum, offers exhibitions on medicine and the art of Paja Jovanović. Nearby, a Romanian neo-Gothic church with red and yellow brickwork adds to the town's architectural diversity. Kula breg, a 15th-century defensive tower, offers views from a volcanic hill, while the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Church of St. Teodor provide insights into Vršac's historical and religious heritage.[11]
The South Banat District is known for the Deliblato Sands, often called "the European Sahara." Shaped by the forces of wind and encompassing 300 square kilometers, it is the last European desert. This ecosystem houses a variety of flora and fauna, making it a special nature reserve.
With 900 plant species, Deliblato Sands tends to attract nature enthusiasts from around the world. Moreover, the area is also known as a hunting ground for deer, wild boar, and even wolves. Despite its transformation and human influence, Deliblato Sands remains Europe's oldest desert. While exploring the region, it is also recommended to experience the Vrsac wine route with the "Dani Berbe" (Harvest Days) event taking place in September.[10]
The South Banat administrative district is situated in the southeastern part of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina within the Republic of Serbia. Approximately 80.9% of the district's land is agricultural, while forests cover 5.4% of the territory. Pancevo, the district's administrative and industrial center, is positioned with altitudes ranging from 70 to 100 meters, providing conditions for agricultural production.
The South Banat District is reportedly known for its nature and environmental conservation efforts. It is home to 23 protected natural assets, including a special nature reserve, a nature park, natural monuments, and landscapes. Along the border with Romania are found the Vrsac Mountains, a geomorphological unit home to the highest peak in Vojvodina, Gudurica Peak, standing at 641 meters above sea level.[4]
Within the borders of South Banat is Deliblato Sands, "the largest European continental sandy terrain," which covers nearly 35,000 hectares. Deliblato Sands is additionally referred to as the Deliblatska Peščara. It takes an elliptical shape and extends from southeast to northwest. Formed during the Ice Age from silica-carbon sand layers, Deliblato Sands developed distinctive dune relief, rising 70 to 200 meters above sea level due to the "košava" east wind in the Modern Age. The area showcases a unique ecosystem with a variety of flora and fauna, including several rare species by international standards. The area's flora consists of over 900 species, including Banat peony, Pančić wormwood, bulrush, dwarf-steppe almond, sandy immortelle, and the autochthonous juniper tree. As the last and largest oasis of sand, steppe, forest, and marsh vegetation in the Pannonia Plain, the Deliblatska Peščara reserve is a prominent biodiversity center in Serbia and Europe. Additionally, some of the fauna include steppe habitat species such as the desert ant, ant-lion, Banat falcon, imperial eagle, ground squirrel, and wolves. The reserve also encompasses part of the Danube's course, marshes, and islets, serving as a gathering and wintering ground for waterfowl, earning it the designation of an Important Bird Area.[9]
Another natural area within Juznobanatski Okrug is the Vrsac Mountains, also referred to as Vrsac Hill, which partially extends into Romania. This geological formation spans 19 kilometers in length and covers an area of 170 square kilometers. The region boasts diverse geomorphological features, with natural formations sculpted from gneiss and schist, appearing either in isolation or clusters.
The Vršac Mountains offer varying natural conditions and are home to 120 recorded bird species, making them one of Vojvodina's and Serbia's richest ornithological habitats. Additionally, various fauna species, such as grey and red foxes, deer, wild boars, and wolves, occasionally inhabit the area. Since 1982, the Vršac Mountains have held the classification of a "landscape of outstanding features" in the National Registry of Protected Natural Resources.[5]
In terms of climate, one of the best times to visit South Banat for moderate temperatures is during the months of May and September when temperatures range from 20°C to 26°C. August is the warmest month, with an average maximum temperature of 31°C.
Regarding the lower temperatures, January is often considered the coldest month, as the average maximum temperature drops to around 5°C.
June ranks as the wettest month in Pancevo, receiving approximately 83 millimeters of rainfall.
Conversely, January is the driest month, with 49 millimeters of precipitation.[6]
Juznobanatski Okrug's name is derived from a historical region found in Eastern Europe called Banat, which is bordered by Transylvania, Walachia, the Tisza River, the Mures River, and the Danube River. Its name originated from a Persian word meaning "lord" or "master," signifying a frontier province or a district under military rule. Over the centuries, it was occupied by various peoples, including Romans, Goths, Gepidae, Huns, Avars, Slavs, and Magyars. In the 14th and 15th centuries, a considerable number of Serbs settled in Banat, and the Ottoman Turks later conquered it in the mid-16th century. Austria gained control of the region in 1718, organizing it as the Temeser Banat. The area saw a mix of civil and military administration, with settlers from the Rhineland, Lorraine, and Luxembourg encouraged to populate the region.
From 1779 to 1920, the Banat was primarily part of Hungary. However, after World War I, it was divided by the Treaty of Trianon in 1920. Hungary retained Szeged, Romania acquired the eastern section, and the rest—which was mainly part of present-day Vojvodina in Serbia—went to Yugoslavia.[1]
In terms of the history of the South Banat's capital city, Pancevo, it began as a settlement at the confluence of the Tamish and Danube rivers. Over time, it had various names due to frequent ownership changes by different peoples, including Romans, Celts, Huns, Avars, Slavs, Hungarians, Tatars, Turks, and Austrians. In the 10th century, it was called Panutsea or Panucha; in the 12th century, Bansif; in the 15th century, Pancel and Pensey; in the 17th century, Paichova or Panziova and Banchova; and in the early 18th century, Chomba. It was first mentioned as a trading city in 1153 when Greeks were among its residents. During the 15th century, the city was under Turkish rule until 1716. Later, it became part of Austria-Hungary. Eventually, in 1918, when it became part of Yugoslavia, it adopted its modern name, Pancevo.[2]
In April 1941, during the German invasion of Yugoslavia, Pancevo was occupied by the Wehrmacht. A war crime massacre occurred on April 12, 1941, when 36 Serbian civilians were killed, and later, the city witnessed pro-German demonstrations, violence against Serbian civilians, and speeches by Nazi officials. Pancevo was part of the Autonomous Banat during World War II within German-occupied Serbia, with a significant German population. However, after the war, measures were taken to denazify the region.[3]
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