A 113-YEAR-OLD FOUNTAIN IN DONJA PECKA STILL FLOWS TODAY

In 1913, the residents of Donja Pecka joined forces to build a fountain near the local church, never imagining that its water would still be flowing more than a century later.

PHOTO: FB: Visitor centar Pecka

Its construction was described in detail by Orthodox priest Milan Ilić in his memoirs Farewell to the Life of a Jajce Parish Priest. He wrote how the villagers found a spring emerging between two rocks, raised the water level, built a catchment system, laid pipes and brought the water all the way to the churchyard.

They left a simple inscription on the fountain:

“THIS WATER FOUNTAIN WAS BUILT BY THE PEOPLE IN 1913.”

WATER THAT OUTLIVED GENERATIONS

Fifty years later, Father Milan wrote:

“It is remarkable that the water is still there today, that nothing has broken, but everything remains as we left it exactly 50 years ago.”

More than six decades have passed since he wrote those words, and the fountain is still standing, with its water continuing to flow.

Several years ago, local resident Bogdan Todorović used his own money in an effort to restore the area surrounding the fountain. However, the work was not completed as planned, while sheep coming to drink from the trough gradually turned the paved area back into mud. Vegetation took over and the old fountain almost disappeared from view.

BOGDAN TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS

Todorović decided to restore the site once again. He cleared the overgrown vegetation himself, improved access to the fountain and installed a fence around it, while making sure that animals could still reach the water flowing into the trough.

And so, the story that began in 1913 continues.

More than a century ago, the villagers worked together to build a fountain whose water would be available to everyone. Today, one of their fellow villagers has once again invested his own time, money and effort to preserve what previous generations left behind.

The fountain in Donja Pecka is still standing 113 years later, and its water continues to flow. Its story is also a reminder of Father Milan, Bogdan and all those people who devote their time, work and resources to preserving something that belongs to the entire community.