WILL GRADIŠKA ONCE AGAIN BECOME THE "LITTLE BELGRADE"?

The city administration of Gradiška is actively working on a project to restore Srpska Varoš, a significant historical legacy of this town on the Sava River.

PHOTO: eKapija

The project covers an area extending from the Šumsko Gazdinstvo Gradiška building to the central Vidovdanska Street, with a total surface of over 6,000 square meters.

According to city officials, efforts so far have included the restoration of the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, along with its courtyard. Ongoing work focuses on the renovation of the Metropolitan’s Endowment.

"Srpska Varoš historically encompassed the area around the Orthodox Church, completed in 1866 and later restored in 1927, 1975, and 2022. This area also included the Serbian Elementary School, built in 1887 but unfortunately demolished, the Serbian Church-School Municipality building from 1884, and the Endowment of Metropolitan Georgije Nikolajević. The central street, named after the Metropolitan, was home to prominent Serbian families like Čubrilović, Subotić, Vidović, Malić, Stefanović, Brković, and Kovačević. The plan is to transform this street into a promenade and pedestrian zone featuring hospitality establishments, our 'Little Skadarlija,'” says Bojan Vujinović, archaeologist and city manager, for the eKapija portal.

PROJECT PLANS INCLUDE TWO NEW SQUARES

The restoration project also envisions the construction of two squares:

The Square of Metropolitan Georgije Nikolajević, located in front of his endowment, and

The Square of King Petar I Karađorđević the Liberator, near the church and adjacent to the main highway.

The principal design for this revitalization was created by ZM Projekt from Banja Luka.

WORK PLANNED FOR 2025

In 2025, the focus will be on constructing pedestrian zones and landscaping around the church, including a square and a sculpture dedicated to Metropolitan Georgije Nikolajević. This phase will extend towards Vidovdanska Street.

“The final stage will undoubtedly be the Square dedicated to King Petar I Karađorđević. Its construction depends on the completion of a new border crossing and access road leading to the new bridge,” Vujinović explains.

The total cost of developing the pedestrian zone, parking areas, and two squares is estimated at 3.5 million BAM. The tender for the first phase of these works is expected to be announced in 2025.

MULTIPLE SOURCES OF FUNDING

The Srpska Varoš restoration project is financed through various sources, including the Government of Republika Srpska, the Office of the President, public institutions, and the City of Gradiška, alongside local public enterprises and organizations.

REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF "LITTLE BELGRADE"

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Gradiška was often referred to as the "Little Belgrade" in the press, due to its cultural and educational societies, which outnumbered those in Banja Luka and Sarajevo.

"These societies safeguarded our identity, language, and script while uniting the local intelligentsia, merchants, and prominent families of Srpska Varoš. From that era, we are left with silent witnesses in the form of significant buildings, ornate facades, and a few notable streets and landmarks. Through the Srpska Varoš restoration project, we aim to revive this heritage and honor the remarkable individuals who preserved our identity," Vujinović emphasizes.

The plan also includes utilizing modern technology, such as QR codes and various applications, to tell the unique story of Gradiška to future generations, blending the past with contemporary urban life.