"Little Tuscany" in the Timok Valley was named after a great Serbian prince

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

Knazevac is located in the Valley of the Timok River, about 40 kilometers from Zajecar. It is a town known for its vineyards and orchards, thanks to which the production of jams, brandy and wine has flourished for decades in this part of Serbia.

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The heavenly flavors for which Knjazevac is recognizable in the gastronomic, and especially enological, world reached Germany, Russia, and even Japan.

Today, new investments are being made in fruit growing and viticulture in this area, which is why Knjazevac is increasingly being spoken about as "the little Tuscany in Serbia."

In Roman times, it was called Timacum Minus, then it was renamed to Gurgusovac, and then in January 1859 none other than the great Serbian Prince (Knjaz) Milos Obrenovic arrived there, when a new chapter in the history of the town on the Timok started.

Namely, during the reign of the Karadjordjevic dynasty the Gurgusovac Tower served as a dungeon. The locals hated it, because many prisoners ended their lives there, and the same fate befell a blood brother of Prince Milos Obrenovic. Arriving in what was then Gurgusovac, the prince first ordered the tower to be demolished, and then wept bitterly at the grave of his close friend.

As a sign of gratitude for tearing down the symbol of death and fear in Gurgusovac, the locals changed the name of their town to Knjazevac.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Ona.rs)