Fruška Gora

Ledinci Lake on Fruška Gora

Fruška Gora (Фрушка Гора) is a mountain in the north of Syrmia, sometimes also called the Jewel of Vojvodina for its beautiful landscapes, nature and countryside. The mountain got its name after the old Serbo-Croatian name for Frankish people - Fruzi (Frug=Frank, Fruzi=Franks, fruški=Frankish). The full translation of the name Fruška Gora would be 'a Frankish Mountain'. During the time of Roman Empire, its name was 'Alma Mons' (fertile mount), while the Hungarian name for it is 'Tarczal'.

Most of it is in Vojvodina, Serbia and Montenegro, and a smaller part in the west is in Croatia. It is bound by the Danube in the north. It is about 80 km lengthwise east to west, about 15 km north to south. The highest peak is Crveni Čot at 549 m.

The slopes of Fruška Gora are well suited for grapes - there are many wine-makers producing Traminer, Riesling and other wines in the region. Its fertility and beauty attracted people in the past and equaly at the present days, so it became known as a place of peaceful and rich life of its ihabitants and place for enjoying and resting of many guests as well.

A large part of it (area of 25,525 km²) is a national park of Serbia since 1960.

Monasteries

There are also as many as sixteen Serb Orthodox monasteries located on Fruška Gora because of the hospitable natural environment. According to historical data, these monastery communities were historically recorded since the first decades of the 16th century, but the legends relate their founding to the period between the 12th and 15th centuries. The monasteries are concentrated in an area 50 kilometers long, and 10 kilometers wide. In the course of centuries of their existence, these monasteries sustained the spiritual and political life of the Serbian nation.

The list of monasteries:

• Beočin - The time of founding is unknown. It is first mentioned in Turkish records dated in 1566/1567.
• Bešenovo - According to the legend, the monastery of Bešenovo was founded by Serbian king Dragutin at the end of the 13th century. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1545.
• Velika Remeta - Traditionally, its founding is linked to the king Dragutin. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1562.
• Vrdnik-Ravanica - The exact time of its founding is unknown. The records indicate that the church was built during the time of Metropolitan Serafim, in the second half of the 16th century.
• Grgeteg - According to tradition the monastery was founded by Zmaj Ognjeni Vuk (despot Vuk Grgurević), in 1471. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1545/1546.
• Divša - It is believed to have been founded by despot Jovan Branković in the late 15th century. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in the second half of the 16th century.
• Jazak - The monastery was founded in 1736.
• Krušedol - The monastery was founded between 1509 and 1516, by bishop Maksim (despot Đorđe Branković) and his mother Angelina.
• Kuveždin - Traditionally, its foundation is ascribed to Stefan Štiljanović. The first reliable records of it are dated in 1566/1569.
• Mala Remeta - The foundation is traditionally ascribed to the Serbian king Dragutin. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in the middle of the 16th century.
• Novo Hopovo - According to tradition, the monastery was built by the Despots of the Branković family. The first reliable mention of monastery is dated in 1641.
• Privina Glava - According to the legends, Privina Glava was founded by a man named Priva, in the 12th century. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1566/1567.
• Petkovica - According to the tradition, founded by the widow of Stefan Štiljanović, despotess Jelena. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1566/1567.
• Rakovac - According to a legend written in 1704, Rakovac is the heritage of a certain man, Raka, courtier of despot Jovan Branković. The legend states that Raka erected the monastery in 1498. The earliest historical records about the Monastery are dated in 1545/1546.
• Staro Hopovo - According to the tradition, the monastery was founded by bishop Maksim (despot Đorđe Branković). The reliable data about the monastery date back to 1545/1546.
• Šišatovac - The foundation of the Monastery is ascribed to the refugee monks from the Serbian monastery of Žiča. The reliable facts illustrating the life of the monastery date back from the mid 16th century.

External link

• National Park Fruška Gora