The History of Vršac

According to some written documents the name of our town was firstly mentioned six centuries ago, but it was in the form of PODVRSAN (1427) in a letter by the king Zigmund (1387-1439). At the end of sixteenth century forms such as VARSOCZ (VARŠOC), VERSECZ (VERŠEC), VIRSICZA (VIRŠKA) could be found in some documents. In 1694 a toponym VERSOCZ (VERŠOC) was found, and in 1707 VARSACZ (VARŠAC). In all these names the root is a Serbian word “vrh”, which means “top”. In 1427 in front of the mentioned basic meaning of the word it was used prefix “pod”, meaning “under”, which made a word PODVRSAN, “under the top of the hill”. Later, the prefix “pod” will be omitted and a suffix “sac” will be added to the root word and a word VRSAC was created. VRSAC is the name of the town today and means “little top”.

The History of the Town

Landscape where two different geographical scenery are connected – plain and Vrsac’s hills – has always attracted people to settle down here as the land was good for agriculture, viniculture and cattle feeding, while vast fens were ideal for fishing and forests were inhabited by various wild animals.First settlements were in Neolithic period which was documented by archaeological evidences. Human settlements became more stabile since Slavs came (late medieval era). Before Slavs here lived ancient Balkan tribes. First traces of human settlements on Vrsac’s hills date back to prehistoric period. A substructure under the Vrsac’s tower is 21m high with 2.5 thick walls. Here reigned Serbian or Hungarian rulers and for a while it was owned by Djurdje Smederavac which could be documented. In 1425 during the rule of despot Djurdje Serbs came and founded a settlement Podvrsac and he connected this fortification on the hill with his main fortresses at the south of Danube (Smederevo) in fast defense system.

General History

This area had always been junction of various roads, there had been Ancient Rome road near by Vrsac, which connected Viminacium (now Kostolac), Lederat (on the Sapaja island, by Banatska Palanka), Aggidava (now Varadia) with Pomorisi. During Medieval period Vrsac was on the road that led from Danube toward Lugosi Timisoara, Transylvania, Pont and Ukraine and from north to south to Mediterranean.Today’s symbol of the town, the Vrsac’s tower, was built in the early fifteenth century under Hungarian rule. According to some sources the fortress was built at the spot of once Ancient Rome tower. After Smederevo had been defeated, Djuradj Brankovic had the tower built as defense base from Turks. As the evidence of this fact is the obvious resemblance of the tower above Vrsac and the one above Smederevo. By the middle of 15th century this area has been well-known for its wine, which was most wanted at the Hungarian court. It is often found by many historians that year 1494 at the court of the Hungarian king Vladisdlav a barrel of wine from Vrsac has been paid 10.5 ducats.

Period of Turkish regime lasted here from 1552 till 1716 (164 years). When 1552 Ahmet Pasha conquered Banat, started at Timisoara, Vrsac and its fortress were first targets. The town was devastated and inhabitants moved away to nearby hills and founded small settlements. As Turks had destroyed the town, they built a squared settlement. People from Banat were dissatisfied and they stirred up rebellion. Serbian troops conquered back and liberated settlement in Banat carried flags with St.Sava to encourage them. At the beginning they had success and amongst the other Vrsac were liberated. Turkish military leader Sinan Pasha wanted to destroy Serbian national pride and religious verve therefore he ordered to bring from monastery Mileseva St.Savas’s bones in order to have them burned. It was a revenge for Serbian war successes.

A rebellion troop under Janko Logosan’s leadership (known as Halabura) attacked the Vrsac’s tower. A commander of the tower challenged Janko Halabura to a duel, but he lost his life in that battle. The victory of Halabura’s is one of symbols at the tow emblem. At the end that summer came Hasan Pasha with his troops, defeated rebellions and begun revenge. Most of Serbs were drawn and few days later Halabura was killed at a battle of village Parta. Vrsac became a town with an oriental appearance.

The 18th and 19th century Vrsac

Turks were expelled by military leader Eugen Savojski in 1716 and that was the beginning of a new era of the town’s history. Vrsac became a part of Tamis Banat with its center in Timisoara. The town became center of newly founded Vrsac District in 1718, which included 72 settlements an about 3500 houses. Since 1717 groups of colonists from Germany, France, Italy and Spain came here and they were mostly wine-growers. About the same time in Vrsac came settlers from southern Serbia and they were mostly traders and craftsmen. During that period nearby the Old Town (so-called Serbian Vrsac), it was founded German Quarter (a place between today’s H.Pinkija and Sterijina street). The Serbian part was ruled by duke and the German Quarter was ruled by schulheis. The unification of these two parts of the tow was approved by Austrian court in 1794.

During this period many building were built which have been preserved until today. On of the oldest is chapel on the hill, Saint Cross Chapel, built in 1720. In 1739 was built St. Roks Chapel, The Residence of the Banat Episcopacy in 1759, Little Church in 1763, St Nicholas Church in 1783. From this period dates also the first pharmacy (1783). The oldest part of the City Hall was also built in late 18th century. During 1730’s first elementary schools were opened and in first Latin Gymnasium was opened. In the next century many specialized high schools were opened and various theatre troops were guests here in Vrsac. In 1804 the town was awarded Trade Brevet by Franya the Second for bravery in wars against the Turks from 1787 till 1791 and in 1817 Vrsac became a free town in Austria-Hungarian Empire.

In the town worked 13 large craftsmen unions with several hundreds or even thousands of workers. In 1857 trade flourished as the town connected with Timisoara and Europe by railway. Soon afterward first banks were opened and mills and craft workshops were being built. They have gradually grown from plain workshops into factories of agricultural equipment, mostly for viniculture. Roads were cobbled in 1820, and in 1821 second pharmacy was opened. The first craftsmen share-holders”company” was founded in 1833 and a hotel Konkordija was built in 1847. In the main park (opened in 1797) was built the town’s arena with 400 seats in 1803 for public theatre plays and performances.

In 1859 seven bridges were built above the Mesic river, besides the old one, a new building of the City Hall was built. In 1860 was built a new Catholic church. In 1873 the center of the town with its promenade was introduced. Bernard Staub opened in Vrsac wine cellar Helvetia (capacity for 10 000 hl) in 1880 and Vrsac vineyards exhibited their products in almost all European cities: Vienna, Paris, London, Brussels, Bremen, and Budapest. In 1891 road asphalting started. The first electric light bulb glowed in 1891. Railway station new building was built in 1900. Vrsac become an independent municipality in 1872.

The World War I

In the late nineteenth century socialistic ideology was widespread among workers, craftsmen, traders and youth, inspired by Laza Nancic and Jasa Tomic. By the beginning of 20th century Vrsac has had 25000 inhabitants and well-developed small industry, strong trade activities and refreshed viniculture, as well as good traffic connections with all directions Austria-Hungarian Empire and Europe. During this period Vrsac had numerous cultural and educational institutions, various cultural societies, and several newspapers in Serbian, German and Hungarian, several printing offices and two cinemas.

Status of Serbian community was changed when the World War I had started and many prominent Serbs were sent into exile. Newspapers in Serbian were closed. Serbian young men were mobilized by Austria-Hungarian Military Force and sent to the Western Front toward Italy or to the Eastern Front toward Russia. German Army came to Vrsac in 1915 and started to fortify the town and built the cannon road toward the tower in order to control the town. In 1918 German army was withdrawn from Vrsac and Serbian troops came in led by Lieutenant Dusan Dodic.

The World War II and later

Between two wars in Vrsac worked several political parties but Radical and Democratic were the most important. Communist party of Yugoslavia worked illegally and in Vrsac were some important activists such as Zarko Zrenjanin, Borislav Petrov, Jelisaveta Petrov and Ziva Jovanovic. The atmosphere in the tow became tense between different ethnic groups, especially between Serbs and German since fascism was introduced in Germany. The World War II (1941-1945) resulted in immense destruction, great civilian suffering, and numerous victims. After the war grateful people of Vrsac paid respect to their war heroes and therefore many streets, squares and schools were named after them. The biggest changes in ethnic structure were made at the end of the World War II when local Germans fled in front of the approaching Red Army. Systematic demographic and political changes were introduced and the Communist party came into power. Today Vrsac is town with many schools, sport utilities and cultural institutions as well as with strong industry. After Vrsac had gone through the turbulent past it stepped prepared into new millennium.