Fruška Gora (Serbian: Фрушка гора, Fruška gora, Croatian: Fruška gora, Hungarian: Tarcal, Latin: Alma Mons) is a mountain in the north of Syrmia, Serbia, sometimes also called the Jewel of Serbia for its beautiful landscapes, nature and countryside. A smaller part of the mountain, in the west, is located in Croatia.
Name
The mountain's name derives from the old Serbian name for the
Frankish people: Fruzi (sing. Frug;
adj. Fruški). The literal translation of "Fruška Gora" would
be "the Frankish Mountain". It received this name due to its
function as a natural border during Frankish campaigns. During the
time of the Roman Empire, its name was Alma Mons ("Fertile
Mount").
Location
and features
Most of the mountain lies in Vojvodina, Serbia except
for a small section to the west which lies in Croatia. To the
north, the mountain is bordered by the Danube.
Lengthwise, it is approximately 80 km east to west and
15 km north to south. Its highest peak is Crveni Čot at
539 m.
The slopes of the Fruška Gora are well suited for grapes and there are
many wine-makers producing Traminer, Riesling and other wines in
the region. Its fertility and beauty attracted people in the past
and that same beauty still attracts people to this day. It has
become known for the peaceful and rich life of its inhabitants and
as a place where visitors can rest and enjoy the beautiful
surroundings.
A large part of the area has been a national
park of Serbia since 1960. Since the fall of communism, the
Serbian Orthodox Church has sought the return of 10,000 hectares of
its land nationalized for the park.
Monasteries
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Thanks to its hospitable environment, there are also over a
dozen Serbian Orthodox monasteries located on Fruška Gora.
According to historical data, these monastic communities were
historically recorded since the first decades of the 16th century.
Legends, however, place 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.
- Beočin - The time of founding is unknown. It is first mentioned
in Turkish records dated in 1566/1567.
- Bešenovo - According to the legend, the Bešenovo monastery was
founded by Serbian King Dragutin at the
end of the 13th century. The earliest historical records about the
monastery date from 1545.
-
Velika
Remeta - Traditionally, its founding is linked to King
Dragutin. The earliest historical records about the monastery date
to 1562.
- Vrdnik-Ravanica - The exact date of its founding is unknown.
The records indicate that the church was built at 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 date
to 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 date to 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 relating to
the monastery are dated to the middle of the 16th century.
- Novo Hopovo - According to tradition, the monastery was built
by the Despots of the House of Branković. The first reliable
mention of the monastery is dated to 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 mentioning the monastery are dated to 1566/1567.
- Rakovac - According to a legend written in 1704, Rakovac was
founded by a certain man, Raka, courtier of Despot
Jovan Branković. The legend states that Raka erected the monastery
in 1498. The earliest historical records mentioning the monastery
are dated to 1545/1546.
- Staro Hopovo - According to the tradition, the monastery was
founded by Bishop Maksim (Despot Đorđe Branković). The first
reliable mention of the monastery dates 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.
References
See also
- Lake of
Ledinci
- Pannonian Island Mountains
- List of mountains in Serbia
- List of monasteries on Fruška Gora
External
links
