What Severnobanatski okrug is known for

The Main Square of Kikinda—also known as Trg Srpskih Dobrovoljaca—serves as the focal point of the city, offering an environment for leisurely walks with various open cafés. Nearby, the Municipality House, built in 1894, resembles a church and presents a Romantic style in its architecture. The Latin inscription, "ATTENDITE!," above the entrance is said to represent unity and tolerance. There is also a museum called "Kurija" on the town square that was established in 1839 and presently showcases the town's history. Kurija holds around 25,000 exhibits, including a mammoth skeleton replica named "Kika." Additionally, the Serbian Orthodox church, constructed in 1769, features wall paintings by various artists. In mid-October, a Pumpkin Days festival takes place in Kikinda, featuring a competition for the largest pumpkin and longest gourd. Originating in 1986, it attracts enthusiasts from across Serbia and neighboring countries, offering lectures, culinary contests, children's activities, concerts, and exhibitions. Notably, the event symbolizes Kikinda's historical connection with pumpkins.[8]

Apart from the district's capital, Kikinda, there are other areas that bear historical landmarks. One such place is Suvača, the only remaining horse-powered mill in Serbia, which is managed by the National Museum in Kikinda. This historic site serves as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from across Serbia and beyond. A visit to Suvača includes a tour of the mill, providing insights into its operation. Additionally, visitors can explore a mini-exhibition within the facility, delving deeper into its historical and cultural significance. Educational programs are also available, allowing visitors to learn about the mill's role in the local community and its broader impact. Suvača reportedly presents the essence of 19th-century Vojvodina, reflecting a bygone era of agricultural practices and industrial craftsmanship. Constructed in 1899, the mill ceased operations in 1945 but has since been preserved as a testament to Serbia's cultural heritage.[10]

People seeking cultural attractions can attend the International Symposium of Large-Scale Terracotta Sculpture – Terra, established by sculptor Slobodan Kojić in 1982, which occurs annually in Kikinda from July 1st to 31st. Over its four-decade existence, the Terra Symposium has welcomed participation from over 250 sculptors representing 43 countries. Each year, artists converge in Kikinda to partake in the Terra Symposium, engaging in a creative process that transcends conventional studio practices. Moreover, the impact of the Terra Symposium extends beyond Kikinda, with several sculptures finding homes in public spaces worldwide. Notable exhibitions include showcases at the Venice Biennale, where the symposium has been lauded for its contribution to Yugoslav fine arts.[9]

Geography

Bordering Hungary to the north and Romania to the east, the North Banat District lies in the northeastern part of Serbia. It comprises the town of Kikinda while surrounding municipalities include Čoka, Novi Kneževac, Kanjiža, Senta, and Ada. Kikinda, historically a transportation hub between Budapest and Timisoara, serves as the district's administrative center. Covering an area of 2,329 square kilometers, the Severnobanatski Okrug encompasses 50 settlements with a population of 151,382 residents. The local economy includes agriculture, mechanical, chemical, and food industries, with approximately 5,000 registered businesses. The North Banat District is known for its fertile agricultural land, producing crops and other agricultural products. It also holds reserves of energy resources such as oil, gas, and thermal mineral waters. Tourists often visit Kanjiža's medicinal spa, offering both therapeutic treatments and recreational activities.[4]

In the lowlands of northern Banat, two distinct morphological features are present: the alluvial plain and the loess terrace. The Tisa River and its tributaries form alluvial plains, with the Zlatica River hosting the "Pašnjaci Velike Propplje" Nature Reserve. This area exhibits varied terrain, including meanders, deadlands, and coastal features, composed of fluvial sands and silty clay. Fragmented by the alluvial plains, the loess terrace consists of loess deposits, with bar loess dominating. The region's hydrology, influenced by the Tisa and Zlatica Rivers, creates diverse habitats, sustaining a population of Great Bustards. Furthermore, the steppe-continental climate and local ecological conditions foster diverse vegetation, from Pannonian to local species.[5] The "Pašnjaci Velike Propplje" Nature Reserve area is protected as the region hosts the last remaining population of the great bustard in Serbia, found on the southeastern edge of its Central European range. The species is classified as endangered on the World Red List. Preserving the typical Pannonian plain landscape, the nature reserve houses a variety of plant communities and supports distinct flora and fauna. Rare and endangered flora species, including dogwood, sticky shoot, and gorse can be found there, alongside fauna such as the dragonfly, garlic frog, common owl, barn owl, and tern.[6]

In Kikinda, the months of May and September typically offer weather conditions that are characterized by average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. August stands out as the warmest month, with an average maximum temperature reaching 30°C. Conversely, January marks the coldest month, with temperatures dropping to an average maximum of 5°C. June is recognized as the wettest month, recording approximately 77 millimeters of rainfall. On the other hand, January emerges as the driest month, experiencing 42 millimeters of precipitation according to historical weather data.[7]

History

The Severnobanatski Okrug's history involves various rulerships, from Bulgarian-Slavic dukes in the 9th century to Ottoman and Habsburg administrations. During the medieval Kingdom of Hungary, it was divided among several counties. Serbian emperor Jovan Nenad briefly ruled in the 16th century. Under Habsburg rule, the North Banat area became part of the Banat of Temeswar and the Military Frontier. Later, it was divided between Torontal and Batsch-Bodrog counties, with autonomous districts including Velika Kikinda and Potisje. Yugoslav administrations further altered its divisions. Since 1944, it has been part of autonomous Yugoslav Vojvodina, later integrated into socialist Yugoslavia and defined by present-day Serbian districts.[1]

The city of Kikinda, the capital city of the North Banat District, has a history dating back over seven thousand years, evidenced by numerous archaeological discoveries. However, this history saw interruptions as people came and went due to various historical events. Two medieval settlements, Galad and Hološ, once stood near modern-day Kikinda. Galad, founded in the 9th century by Slavic duke Glad, was primarily inhabited by Serbs by the 14th century but was later destroyed during wars. Hološ served as a local administrative center during Ottoman rule but met a similar fate. Older records suggest the existence of another settlement called Kekenj, which was inhabited by Serbs in the 16th century but was abandoned after the Banat Uprising in 1594.[2]

In 1751, Kikinda was repopulated by Serbs under Habsburg rule. It wasn't until 1774 that it became part of the Velikokikindsky District. During the 1848-1849 revolution, it switched hands between Serbs and Hungarians. Later, from 1849 to 1860, Kikinda was part of the Voivodeship of Serbia and the Banat of Temesvár. The construction of a railway in 1857 facilitated its development and in 1895, it became a statutory city. During World War II, the city was occupied by German forces. Post-war, its population composition changed, with economic growth from the 1960s to the 1980s.[3]