Arilje
Encyclopedia
Arilje is a town and municipality in western Serbia
, in the Zlatibor District
. In 2011 the town has a total population of 6,762, while the municipality had 18,729. The town's coordinates are 43.75°N and 20.10°E. It is famous for having large raspberry plantations in which many locals are employed.
in the river basins of the clear mountain rivers of the Rzav
and Moravica
. The municipality area is 349 km2. This is a hilly-mountainous area at an altitude of 330 to 1382 meters. It is inhabited by 19,784 people (according to the 2002 census), grouped in 22 communities. The town itself numbers 7,000 inhabitants.
The municipality seat is situated at the confluence of the Rzav
and Moravica
rivers in a region described by many as a heavenly earth. There is numerous material evidence of continuous life in this region, from the prehistoric to contemporary time. There are many interesting facts associated to this place as well. The residents of Thessaly found refuge here in the 11th century, and with great trust they laid the relics of their St. Achileus into the existing temple. The town was named after this saint, and his cult is celebrated to this day as a people’s holiday and patron saint of Arilje.
the seat of the Moravica episcopate that covered the territory of Arilje, Užice
, Valjevo
and Čačak
. The first Serbian Orthodox Archbishop and later Metropolitan held court here. In 1296 king Dragutin Nemanjić erected his own memorial, a beautiful church, also called St. Achileus, and for over seven centuries it has been the symbol and pride of Arilje, as well as the center of spiritual gathering for the people of this region.
There are several churches and monasteries in this municipality. The Klisura monastery, 13 km away from Arilje, on the road to Ivanjica
, is among the best known. It is dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, and was destroyed and reconstructed several times during its turbulent history. Today it is a convent. The oldest secular buildings preserved to this day are the house of colonel Jovan Mićić from 1823 and the old school founded in 1834.
In 1880, by decree of prince Milan Obrenović
, Arilje was awarded the status of town.
King Milan Obrenović declared Arilje a municipality in 1882 http://www.ird-bg.org.yu/led/arilje/index.php.
The restaurant Mllinarev San is an ideal spot for rest and recreation.It was built near the downtown on the bank of the Rzav in an oasis of natural purity and peace. There are numerous pleasant and secluded beaches on the river sides of the Rzav. One of them is Bosa noga (Bare foot), and in the last few years it has been a true hit for the youth of Arilje and its guests.
The greatest gift to this region, given by nature, is an abundance of pure and high quality water. The clear mountain streams and creeks cut through the whole municipality and are suitable for water supplying, fish production and are a considerable power supply potential. The quality of the spring water is so good that there are possibilities for bottling at numerous springs in the municipality. The river Rzav provides drinking water to 5 cities in Serbia.
The municipality of Arilje has become a real epicenter in the raspberry
production in recent years. The whole population in the municipality is virtually involved in the raspberry production. Over 5,000 of these small production plants in the open produce over 20 million kilograms of raspberries and provide considerable annual hard currency income. The largest concentration of raspberry plants and the biggest fruit refrigerating chamber (Zemljradnička zadruga Arilje) are in Arilje. The biggest individual record in raspberry production has been achieved here (44,763 kg per hectare). The raspberry has revitalized the villages of Arilje, and the people of Arilje have erected a monument to honor it. The agronomist who taught them how to grow raspberries became better known as a writer. This is why the people of Arilje are proud to announce that Dobrilo Nenadić, the author of several novels and winner of distinguished awards, lives and works in Arilje.
The raspberry production is not the only economy feature of this region. There are over 1,300 active private businesses and companies in this area (there is 1 business or shop per 15 people). This says a lot on the entrepreneurship and hard work of the people of Arilje. With slight cynicism they say they owe their success to the state which didn’t show much concern to the development of this area, and did not have time to build any business giants during the social realistic industrial wave. There was no social peace buying and the people of Arilje were left to themselves, relying on their innate self-preservation instinct, and they rolled up their sleeves, got to work and created a very powerful business center here.
As a successful municipality, Arilje strides forward by recognizing progressive areas and is not lulled by the things it has achieved. The municipality has passed the Strategy of economic development of the Arilje municipality 2006-2015 because it realized that the economic development must be strategically planned and directed. The document was drawn within the project sponsored by USAID, pursuant to the World Bank methodology. The local team, consisting of representatives of the public, business and civil sector analyzed the present state and defined the directions of future development. One of the strategic goals of our municipality is the advancement of agricultural production and processing in accordance with the standards. In order to realize this, the municipality planned to invest into the following activities:
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, in the Zlatibor District
Zlatibor District
Zlatibor District is a district in the western, mountainous part of the Republic of Serbia. The district was named after the mountain region of Zlatibor. According to the 2011 Census Data, the Zlatibor District has a population of 284,729 people...
. In 2011 the town has a total population of 6,762, while the municipality had 18,729. The town's coordinates are 43.75°N and 20.10°E. It is famous for having large raspberry plantations in which many locals are employed.
Geography
The municipality of Arilje is located in western SerbiaSerbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
in the river basins of the clear mountain rivers of the Rzav
Rzav
Rzav may refer to:* Rzav , or Veliki Rzav , a river in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Hercegovina** Beli Rzav, , a headstream of the Veliki Rzav** Crni Rzav, , a headstream of the Veliki Rzav...
and Moravica
Moravica
Moravica can refer to:* Moravica District in Serbia.* Golijska Moravica, river in western Serbia.* Sokobanjska Moravica, river in eastern Serbia* Preševska Moravica, river in southern Serbia* Stara Moravica, a village near Bačka Topola, Serbia....
. The municipality area is 349 km2. This is a hilly-mountainous area at an altitude of 330 to 1382 meters. It is inhabited by 19,784 people (according to the 2002 census), grouped in 22 communities. The town itself numbers 7,000 inhabitants.
The municipality seat is situated at the confluence of the Rzav
Rzav
Rzav may refer to:* Rzav , or Veliki Rzav , a river in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Hercegovina** Beli Rzav, , a headstream of the Veliki Rzav** Crni Rzav, , a headstream of the Veliki Rzav...
and Moravica
Moravica
Moravica can refer to:* Moravica District in Serbia.* Golijska Moravica, river in western Serbia.* Sokobanjska Moravica, river in eastern Serbia* Preševska Moravica, river in southern Serbia* Stara Moravica, a village near Bačka Topola, Serbia....
rivers in a region described by many as a heavenly earth. There is numerous material evidence of continuous life in this region, from the prehistoric to contemporary time. There are many interesting facts associated to this place as well. The residents of Thessaly found refuge here in the 11th century, and with great trust they laid the relics of their St. Achileus into the existing temple. The town was named after this saint, and his cult is celebrated to this day as a people’s holiday and patron saint of Arilje.
History
In 1219 Sava Nemanjić proclaimed the Arilje monasterySaint Achillius Church (Serbia)
Saint Achillius Church, is a church in Arilje, Serbia. It is dedicated to the Saint Achillius from Larissa , fighter against Arianism and participants of the First Council of Nicaea in 325. God made him celebrate victory over Arianism, making a miracle to Achillius confession of the truth water...
the seat of the Moravica episcopate that covered the territory of Arilje, Užice
Užice
Užice is a city and municipality in western Serbia, located at the banks of the Đetinja river. It is the administrative center of the Zlatibor District...
, Valjevo
Valjevo
Valjevo is a city and municipality located in western Serbia. It is the center of the Kolubara District, which includes five other smaller municipalities with a total population of almost 180,000 people...
and Čačak
Cacak
Čačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district...
. The first Serbian Orthodox Archbishop and later Metropolitan held court here. In 1296 king Dragutin Nemanjić erected his own memorial, a beautiful church, also called St. Achileus, and for over seven centuries it has been the symbol and pride of Arilje, as well as the center of spiritual gathering for the people of this region.
There are several churches and monasteries in this municipality. The Klisura monastery, 13 km away from Arilje, on the road to Ivanjica
Ivanjica
Ivanjica is a town and municipality located in the Moravica District of Serbia. The population of the town is 11,810, while population of the municipality is 32,047....
, is among the best known. It is dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, and was destroyed and reconstructed several times during its turbulent history. Today it is a convent. The oldest secular buildings preserved to this day are the house of colonel Jovan Mićić from 1823 and the old school founded in 1834.
In 1880, by decree of prince Milan Obrenović
Milan Obrenovic
Milan Obrenović may refer to:* Milan Obrenović II, Prince of Serbia * Milan Obrenović IV...
, Arilje was awarded the status of town.
King Milan Obrenović declared Arilje a municipality in 1882 http://www.ird-bg.org.yu/led/arilje/index.php.
Economy
Today Arilje is a pleasant and nice little place with several tourist potentials which could become real tourist attractions. In the village of Visoka, 34 km from Arilje, there is a spa where water springs in the river bed. The water temperature is 28C, and it is said that it cures skeletal diseases, heart problems, nerves and considerably improves the eyesight. Between the villages of Brekovo and Dobrače, at the spring of the river Panjica, is the entrance to the Vodena pećina (Water Cave), and its numerous secrets have not yet been completely examined.The restaurant Mllinarev San is an ideal spot for rest and recreation.It was built near the downtown on the bank of the Rzav in an oasis of natural purity and peace. There are numerous pleasant and secluded beaches on the river sides of the Rzav. One of them is Bosa noga (Bare foot), and in the last few years it has been a true hit for the youth of Arilje and its guests.
The greatest gift to this region, given by nature, is an abundance of pure and high quality water. The clear mountain streams and creeks cut through the whole municipality and are suitable for water supplying, fish production and are a considerable power supply potential. The quality of the spring water is so good that there are possibilities for bottling at numerous springs in the municipality. The river Rzav provides drinking water to 5 cities in Serbia.
The municipality of Arilje has become a real epicenter in the raspberry
Raspberry
The raspberry or hindberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves...
production in recent years. The whole population in the municipality is virtually involved in the raspberry production. Over 5,000 of these small production plants in the open produce over 20 million kilograms of raspberries and provide considerable annual hard currency income. The largest concentration of raspberry plants and the biggest fruit refrigerating chamber (Zemljradnička zadruga Arilje) are in Arilje. The biggest individual record in raspberry production has been achieved here (44,763 kg per hectare). The raspberry has revitalized the villages of Arilje, and the people of Arilje have erected a monument to honor it. The agronomist who taught them how to grow raspberries became better known as a writer. This is why the people of Arilje are proud to announce that Dobrilo Nenadić, the author of several novels and winner of distinguished awards, lives and works in Arilje.
The raspberry production is not the only economy feature of this region. There are over 1,300 active private businesses and companies in this area (there is 1 business or shop per 15 people). This says a lot on the entrepreneurship and hard work of the people of Arilje. With slight cynicism they say they owe their success to the state which didn’t show much concern to the development of this area, and did not have time to build any business giants during the social realistic industrial wave. There was no social peace buying and the people of Arilje were left to themselves, relying on their innate self-preservation instinct, and they rolled up their sleeves, got to work and created a very powerful business center here.
As a successful municipality, Arilje strides forward by recognizing progressive areas and is not lulled by the things it has achieved. The municipality has passed the Strategy of economic development of the Arilje municipality 2006-2015 because it realized that the economic development must be strategically planned and directed. The document was drawn within the project sponsored by USAID, pursuant to the World Bank methodology. The local team, consisting of representatives of the public, business and civil sector analyzed the present state and defined the directions of future development. One of the strategic goals of our municipality is the advancement of agricultural production and processing in accordance with the standards. In order to realize this, the municipality planned to invest into the following activities:
- Modernization and strengthening of agricultural homesteads and farmer education
- Technology advancement in fruit and other cultures production and processing
- Standardization of the agricultural production
- Support to farmer and processor societies
- Rational resource management.
Settlements
The municipality of Arilje includes the following settlements:- Arilje (town)
- BjelušaBjelušaBjeluša is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 565 people.-References:...
- BogojevićiBogojevićiBogojevići is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 629 people.-References:...
- BrekovoBrekovoBrekovo is village in northwestern part of Serbia. It is part of the municipality of Arilje and of the Zlatibor District. Brekovo has 671 inhabitants , most of which are ethnic Serbs. River Panjica flows through the village....
- VigošteVigošteVigošte is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1034 people.-References:...
- VirovoVirovoVirovo is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 586 people.-References:...
- Visoka
- VraneVraneVrane is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 775 people.-References:...
- GrdovićiGrdovićiGrdovići is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 471 people.-References:...
- GrivskaGrivskaGrivska is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 357 people.-References:...
- DobračeDobračeDobrače is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 821 people.-References:...
- Dragojevac
- KruščicaKruščica (Arilje)Kruščica is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 474 people.-References:...
- LatvicaLatvicaLatvica is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 323 people.-References:...
- Mirosaljci
- PogledPogledPogled is a mountain peak in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro. It is the highest peak of Mokna which is part of the Prokletije. Pogled is just east of the second highest peak in Mokna, Beleg....
- RadobuđaRadobuđaRadobuđa is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 387 people.-References:...
- RadoševoRadoševoRadoševo is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 370 people.-References:...
- SeverovoSeverovoSeverovo is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 294 people.-References:...
- StupčeviciStupčevićiStupčevići is a village in the municipality of Arilje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 952 people.-References:...
- Trešnjevica
- CerovaCerováFor other uses, see Cerova Cerová is a village and municipality in Senica District in the Trnava Region of western Slovakia.-Geography:...