Vršac Tower
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vršac Tower (Serbian: Vršačka kula or Вршачка кула) is a tower near Vršac, Serbia.
Contents |
[edit] History
The tower is a remnant of the medieval Vršac fortress. There are two theories about the origin of this fortress. According to the Turkish traveler, Evliya Çelebi, the fortress was built by the Serbian despot Đurađ Branković. Historians consider that Branković built the fortress after the fall of Smederevo in 1439. [1] In its construction the fortress had some architectural elements similar to those in the fortress of Smederevo and the fortress around the Manasija monastery.
The other theory claims that Vršac Tower is a remnant of the medieval fortress known as Erdesumulu (Hungarian: Érdsomlyó or Érsomlyó, Serbian: Erd-Šomljo / Ерд-Шомљо or Šomljo / Шомљо). However, the other sources do not identify Erdesumulu with Vršac, but claim that the location of this town and fortress was further to the east, on the Karaš River, in present-day Romanian Banat. A Town named Erdesumulu was first mentioned in 1227. A Dominican monastery with the relics of Saint Dominic was founded there between 1230 and 1240, while from 1255 it was the seat of the comes. The fortress of Erdesumulu was built in 1335 as a royal fortress.
After the Ottoman conquest in 1552, the Vršac fortress was used by the Ottomans. In 1590/91 the Ottoman garrison there comprised one aga, two Ottoman officers and 20 Serb mercenaries.
[edit] Features
Situated on top of the local hill, the tower has a commanding view of the area. Many holidaymakers visit the area to admire views that extend as far as Romania.
A local communications tower was bombed by NATO in the 1999 attacks on Serbia. To some degree this has been reconstructed.
[edit] Condition of the Tower
Repaired some years ago, the staircase inside the tower is currently closed while awaiting repair. There are also several signs saying that it's not recommended to go close to the tower.
[edit] References
- Dušan Belča, Mala istorija Vršca, Vršac, 1997.
- Györffy György, Az Árpád-kori Magyarország történeti földrajza, 1987 (third edition). (Geographia historica Hungariae tempore stripis Arpadianae.)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
