Zarožje
Zarožje is a village in the municipality of Bajina Bašta, Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the village has a population of 619 people.[1]
Zarožje | |
|---|---|
  Zarožje | |
| Coordinates: 44°06′N 19°41′E | |
| Country |  |
| District | Šumadija |
| Municipality | Bajina Bašta |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Miodrag Vujetic |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 619 |
| • Change 2002-11 |  |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Watermill of Sava Savanović
According to legend in village Zarožje there is watermill that was often visited by Sava Savanović the most famous vampire in Serbian folklore.[2][3] It was said that he killed and drank the blood of the millers when they came to mill their grains.
The watermill is located 3 km (1.9 mi) from the Bajina Bašta-Valjevo road, in the deep valley of the Rogačica river.[4] The location of the mill has been described as a "narrow and dark ravine".[5] For the last several decades the watermill associated with Savanović has been owned by the Jagodić family, and is usually called "Jagodića vodenica" (Jagodići's watermill).[3] It was in operation until the late 1950s. After its closure, it became a tourist site along with other attractions in Valjevo and nearby villages.[6]
By the early 2010s, the ownership problems were resolved and the local administration to reconstruct the watermill made of wood and stone, and adapt it into the proper tourist attraction. Plans also included that the watermill will be operational again, producing the flour named after Sava Savanović while the local farmers would sell honey and rakia. A construction of the proper road to which would connect it to the main one was also planned.[4] Author of the reconstruction project was architect Aleksandar Gavović.[5]
The first finished project was the road, but just a month after it was completed, the mill collapsed in 2012.[7] The municipal authorities issued a tongue-in-cheek public health warning, advising people that Savanović was now free to look for a new home.[8] In 2011 it was evident that it may collapse soon, but local authorities hoped it will make it to the reconstruction. The project of recreating the watermill in its authentic form was made, but there was a lack of funding.[7] Originally, only the roof collapsed (in 2012) but in the next years the wooden walls buckled, too.[5]
By December 2018, the mill was reconstructed and the access road was partially improved. The foundations and the pillars were reinforced and the new roof was built and tiled. Works are scheduled to continue in the spring of 2019 when the mill wheel, grinding stone and artificial widening of the stream will be finished. After this is completed, the mill should become operational again.[9]
Other features
The village has a church in which, according to the legend, Serbian army received Holy Communinion before the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The hamlet of Golići is interesting to the mountaineers, while the nearby stony hills are naturally shaped like horns, resembling the Đavolja Varoš in south Serbia.[4] They are part of the mountain massif of Sokolina.[7] In the vicinity there are also two unexplored caves and the remains of an old Greek cemetery.[5]
References
- Template:Serbie Population 2011
- Slavica Stuparušić (14 May 2017), "Došlo vreme za ćuvanje prirode", Politika-Magazin No 1024 (in Serbian), pp. 26–27
- Politika: Sava Savanović još čeka da postane srpski brend
- Branko Pejović (16 October 2011), "Vampiru Savi uređuju vodenicu" [Watermill of Sava the Vampire has been restored], Politika (in Serbian)
- Branko Pejović (25 September 2017), "Projekat za vodenicu vampira Save" [Project for the vampire Sava's watermill], Politika (in Serbian)
- Antistres vikend s vampirom, Blic
- Branko Pejović (20 November 2012), "Srušila se vodenica vampira Save" [Vampire Sava's watermill collapsed], Politika (in Serbian)
- Nelson, Sara C. (March 12, 2012). "Vampire Sava Savanovic Is On The Loose, Serbian Village Council Warns (Seriously)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- Branko Pejović (15 December 2018). "Obnovljena vodenica vampira Save" [Restored mill of Sava the vampire]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 09.