TARZAN WAS BORN IN SERBIA: This is the best kept secret of Johny Weissmuller! (PHOTO)

Do you know where he was born? Believe it or not, in a small village of Medja, Serbia.

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The story about Johnny Weissmuller who played the character of Tarzan, the biggest hero and the protector of the jungle stirs the spirits even one century after.

Even though there are various information about his place of birth and origin, Telegraf internet portal came to possession of information undoubtedly stating that he was born in a small village Medja, Zitiste municipality, Serbia.

This story was unclear for a long time: was this a myth or was he really from the Balkans?

We meet Mrs. Irena Ristic and Milanka Stanic who showed us proofs that this Holywood actor, a star of movie bravery was born in their village.

In some written documents a place called Freidorf, today's suburb of Timisoara is also mentioned.

However, numerous documents show that Johnny Weissmuller was actually born in the village in Serbia, close to Serbian-Romanian border.

Foto: Milenko Stanić

- John, Johan, or Janos, as it was written down in the books was the kid of Peter and Elizabeth. They gave him the name Johan, but due to forceful "Hungarization" of the people it was written Janos. I do not remember his parents but those who knew them said that they lived there for a short period of time and then emigrated to the USA. The house where he was born is still standing - Mrs. Irena showed us.

- This family is an old one. Johnny was born here in 1904. Seven months after his birth, the family went on board of a ship in Rotterdam and went to America. In their immigration documents it was stated that Johnny was born in Pradanj, which is today's place Medja - said Irena.

- Granddaughter of Karl Weissmuller, Tereza Stojanovic used to come here. She lives in Belgrade and she often stated that Johnny Weismuller is her cousin, and that she was proud that he was such a big star.

Foto: Milenko Stanić

Peter Janos Weissmuller, Tarzan's real name, started training swimming, he was the champion and set many records, but he became world-famous when playing Tarzan.

We go to the birth house of the lord of the animals and see old photos of his relatives and cousins.

There are striking similarities. There is also a bust of Johny's face.

The idea of erecting a monument to this Holywood actor was started by Zoran Stijacic, the founder of the club "Medja".

Irena Ristic, the president of the women's club "Medjanke", said that they are proud of their Holywood actor and that by erecting the monument this village would become a real tourist attraction:

Foto: Milenko Stanić

- We will try to make the monument to our hero, but the financial situation is not good. We would like to try to get the funds so as to protect and preserve his name. We are proud of his career and of everything he did during his lifetime.

This initiative was supported by an American who brought help to this village a couple of years ago.

However, everything is still on the level of ideas, and the monument is still not created.

We go to the German cemetery in this place, one of three still standing.

Mrs. Irena shows us the memorial of the Weissmullers, where Karl, Magdalena, Peter, and Gizela Weissmuller are buried.

We wonder is it really possible that his roots are from the former Austo-Hungarian territory!?

Now we are even more secure that there is a connection. Local residents remember that there used to be three cinemas, all full, so that the people could see the Tarzan movies.

Foto: Milenko Stanić

- Many people used to come, ask around, there were many journalist and tourists, no one believed that he was born here - said Mrs. Irena.

The first movie about the legendary protector of the jungle, "Tarzan - the Ape man" was made in 1932.

After its success, Johnny made 11 movies more and earned 2.000.000 dollars, and became the legend as the first hero of the action movies.

Johnny Weismuller entered swimming history when he set the new record on 100 meters free style in 1922.

Two years later he became the Olympic champion, and he won the bronze medal as the part of the USA water-polo team.

The character of the lord of the jungle was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in the novel "Tarzan among Apes" in 1912 first published in a magazine and in 1914 it was turned into a novel.

We are leaving the place where the Weissmullers were buried.

I ask about the other Germans living here and on the other side of the border; no, Tarzan is ours, I am convinced by the residents.

Tarzan is from Serbia, a lord of the jungle and time, character in movies and comic books, hero of our childhood, and, believe it or not, he was really born in Medja, somewhere at the crossroads of the legend and the myth, truth and fiction.

(Telegraf.co.uk)