Despotovac, Serbia
In 1381, in the charter of Prince Lazar, Despotovac was mentioned for the first time as the village Vojnik. This village was inhabited and displaced several times during the five-century rule of the Turks. Just in 1882, by decree of King Milan Obrenovic, and in honor of the despot Stefan Lazarevic, this village was named Despotovac. With this decree, Despotovac was declared a town, and thus the Cuprija district got three counties and the county centers: Svilajnac, Despotovac and Paracin.
Despotovac is a place where rich history, culture and fascinating untouched nature intertwine. It is tucked away between the ranges of the Kucaj Mountains in the west and the beautiful plains in the east, its interesting past awakens the imagination, and its unique natural wealth awakens all senses.
The stormy history of Despotovac begins in prehistoric times, and continues with the settlement of the Thracian tribes, Romans, Slavs and Turks. Today, Despotovac is a peaceful place in the east of Serbia, whose silence is only „disturbed” by the sounds of the Resava River.
Despotovac abounds in natural wealth, river flows, diverse flora and fauna, has a favorable geographical location and climate, and was a center of spirituality and culture in the Middle Ages. Thanks to that, this area has, not only natural, but also cultural and historical wealth, the most important of which are the monasteries of Manasija and Ravanica.
