Jablanicki Okrug, or Jablanica District, is one of Serbia's self-governing regions, located in the southern part of the country. The district contributes to the state border with Bulgaria to the southeast and Kosovo to the southwest. Jablanica District's area is inhabited by approximately 184,502 people.[4] Leskovac, the capital city of Jablanicki Okrug, is located in the central part of the region. With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Leskovac provides a considerable number of historical and cultural landmarks.[2] One such historical spot in the city is the National Museum in Leskovac, which offers various exhibitions about the city's history to its visitors.[7] Other attractions to the capital city include the Cathedral Church, Svetoilijska Church, and Monument to the Liberators.[6] The northwestern part of Jablanica District is covered by Radan Mountain, which is designated as a national park, protecting local nature and a variety of animal and plant species.[9] Brestovac Lake is on the foothills of the mountains. It stands as one of the local outdoor destinations for people seeking swimming and fishing opportunities.[8] Presumably, the best time to visit Jablanicki Okrug is in the months of May and September, when one can expect more pleasant temperatures averaging from 20°C to 26°C.[5]
Leskovac, known for its nature and cultural heritage, offers a variety of attractions. Among its landmarks are monuments such as the one dedicated to folk singer Tomi Zdravković and the Monument to the Liberators, found in the Memorial Park on Hisar's eastern slope.
Orthodox faith is present in Leskovac, with churches such as the Cathedral Church, Svetoilijska Church, and Jašunj Monastery. Skobaljić Town, perched atop the Kukavica mountain ridge, was once a fortress during the Byzantine-era. Another touristic spot is the Hisar archaeological site, which reportedly was inhabited for millennia. Visitors can participate in excursions to spots such as Pašina česma and mountain picnics on Kukavica. The region also features rivers and lakes, including Vlasinsko Lake, Brestovačko Lake, and Barje.
Leskovac's natural surroundings make it a hub for hunting tourism, with game, including wild boar and roe deer on Mount Kukavica.
The area surrounding Leskovac provides additional attractions, including Caričin Grad, a Byzantine city located 30 kilometers away, and the Sijarinska Spa Town, known for its Roman-era history and therapeutic treatments. Furthermore, Mountain Kukavica, found 15 kilometers from Leskovac, offers hiking and recreational opportunities amidst its natural landscapes.[6]
Visitors interested in Jablanicki Okrug's local history can seek out the National Museum in Leskovac, which holds the "Timeline of Leskovac Area" permanent exhibition, offering a journey through 8,000 years of history in two distinct parts. The first segment symbolically displays archaeological treasures from Hisar, including artifacts from the Brnjica cultural group and Roman-era gold jewelry. It also explores medieval history and Leskovac's development under Turkish rule.
The second part focuses on the archaeological site of Justiniana Prima and its historical significance. Upstairs, the exhibition covers Leskovac's transformation from its liberation in 1877 to becoming Serbia's major industrial center by 1941. This period reflects the city's character, combining traditional elements with modern advancements.
Leskovac's interwar years witnessed urban development and economic growth. The Leskovac Bazaar was a hub for essential events, marking the city's evolution into an industrial, trade, and cultural center.[7]
Outdoors enthusiasts can venture to Brestovac Lake, also known as Brestovacko, Bojničko, Bubličko, or Magaško Jezero, an artificial reservoir situated in the village of Brestovac, approximately 10 kilometers west of Bojnik. Nestled at the base of Mount Radan, at an elevation of 400 meters above sea level, this lake was created in the late 1970s by damming the upper course of the Pusta River. Spanning 2.8 kilometers in length and 500 meters in width, Brestovac Lake has a maximum depth of 28 meters, covering an area of around 75 hectares. The lake's shoreline features several peninsulas, a cape, and two bays. It is continuously fed by the Pusta River, which is sourced from Mount Radan.
Featuring diverse aquatic life, Brestovac Lake is home to various fish species, including catfish, carp, chub, grass carp, pike, babushka, bream, white bream, and bream. Its primary purpose is to supply water to the communities of Lebane and Bojnik. However, the lake attracts numerous anglers year-round, while during the summer, it becomes a destination for swimmers. The lake's surroundings offer amenities, including parking areas, sports fields, and camping facilities for visitors' convenience.[8]
The Jablanica District is one of Southern and Eastern Serbia's nine administrative districts, covering the southeastern region. It contributes to the state border with Bulgaria to the southeast, while to the southwest, the district borders Kosovo. According to the 2022 census, Jablanicki Okrug has a population of 184,502 residents. The district's administrative hub is Leskovac.[4]
Jablanicki District is divided into six municipalities: Leskovac, Bojnik, Lebane, Medveđa, Vlasotince, and Crna Trava. The capital city of Jablanicki Okrug, Leskovac, is situated within the Leskovac basin, the largest morphotectonic basin in Serbia, which covers part of the South Morava valley and areas of its left tributaries, Veternica and Jablanica. The Leskovac Basin's geographical and transportation location has a transit character.
The municipality of Vlasotince covers an area of 308 square kilometers and comprises 48 inhabited places. Geographically, Vlasotince municipality is predominantly hilly and mountainous, with over 80% of its territory falling into this category.
The area in the central part of the district, spanning around the city of Lebane, features a mix of valleys, basins, hills, and mountains.
Bojnik municipality, found in the northern part of the district, is situated in the Pusta river basin below the Radan mountain, with a geographic location that connects the northwestern part of the Leskovac basin with other municipalities. Located along the border with Kosovo and Metohija is the Medveđa municipality, featuring a mountain-valley terrain in southern Serbia. Lastly, Crna Trava municipality is characterized by its mountainous landscape, with the Vlasina River flowing through the territory and Vlasina Lake located nearby.[1]
In the northwestern part of the Jablanicki District, protruding to neighboring territories, Radan Mountain, designated a nature park since 2017, is located. It spans across the municipalities of Bojnik, Medveđa, Prokuplje, Kuršumlija, and Lebane, nestled between the Toplica and Jablanica rivers. This region is known for its agriculture, deciduous forests, green hills, numerous streams, orchards, and fields. Moreover, cultural and historical sites such as the Caricin grad archaeological site, Plocnik's Neolithic settlement, Saint Nicholas Monastery, and the Devil's Town—with its earth formations—are some of the reasons people tend to visit the area.[9]
In terms of local weather conditions, summer in Leskovac typically occurs during June, July, August, and September. Among these, August is the warmest month, reaching an average maximum temperature of 30°C.
On the other hand, January is the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 5°C. When it comes to rainfall, April is usually one of the wettest month in Leskovac, receiving an average of 73 mm of rainfall.
In contrast, August is the driest month, with only 38 mm of precipitation. Finally, August is typically the sunniest month in Leskovac, offering an average of 277 hours of sunshine.[5]
In the 5th century BC, according to the Greek historian Herodotus, an Illyrian (Dardan) settlement existed in the region of present-day Leskovac, where they cultivated hemp. Later, in the 2nd century AD, after defeating the Illyrians, the Romans discovered a settlement on the left bank of the Veternica River and constructed a fortress on the dominant Hosar hill. In the 12th century, Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus donated the Dubočica region, encompassing modern Leskovac, to the prefect Stefan Nemanja.[1]
Leskovac was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1454 and later became part of the Kruševac Sanjak. It absorbed Turkish culture during Ottoman rule, influencing architecture, cuisine, customs, and language. The town was known for craftsmanship in various fields. Leskovac had a diverse population, including Serbian Orthodox and Muslim communities and Jewish, Greek, Vlach, Albanian, and Ragusan traders. It hosted an annual 15-day fair.
In the late 19th century, Leskovac faced conflict and demographic changes. It participated in the failed 1841 Serbian rebellion. Before the Serbian-Turkish Wars (1876–1878), the town had a substantial Muslim population, including Albanian and Turkish speakers. During the wars, a considerable number of Muslims were expelled, and by 1879, only a few remained in Leskovac. Most Albanian Muslims resettled in places such as Mitrovica, Prizren, and Kumanovo.[2]
Professor Han's data indicated that Leskovac was the second-largest Serbian town after Belgrade in the early 19th century, with 15,000 inhabitants. It played a role in the Second Serbian-Turkish War, gaining freedom in 1877 and remaining part of Serbia after the Congress of Berlin.
By the late 19th century, Leskovac was a trade center with numerous textile factories, earning it the nickname "Little Manchester." During World War I, it witnessed the Leskovac Manoeuvre during the Battle of Morava. However, in World War II, Leskovac suffered a devastating bombing by American forces, resulting in significant casualties. The town was liberated 35 days later.[3]
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