The Wladika palace
One of the oldest towns of Banat – Vršac – is rich in history and tradition, but is also blessed with beauty of marvelous nature, and all of the things, that make life worth living. The town itself lies on the sides of Vršac mountains, down which slopes the fresh air of woods and well-known vineyards. In the vicinity, there is also the Deliblatska sand pit – a unique geographical phenomenon and one of the largest sandy terrains in Europe.
Where today’s Vršac lies, the first settlements were founded in Neolithic period, during the time of polished stones, but they gain their permanent character with the arrival of Slavic tribes during the late middle ages.
The first written mention of the settlement dates back in the 15th century, in the year 1427 in one letter of the Hungarian king Sigmund. During his reign, the fortress of Vršac was built, meant for defense from the constant Turkish attacks. This fortress was under the immediate command of the Serbian despot Đurađ Branković. The period of the Turkish reign on these terrains lasted from 1552 until 1716. After that, Vršac is named the centre of the newly founded Vršac district.
At the same time begins the period of German colonization – vine keepers from the German town of Mosel. They transferred their knowledge and skills onto these new terrains, and onto the local inhabitants, so very soon Vršac became widely known for its quality wines. The Days of Grape Gathering are one of the oldest festivities of that sort in today’s Serbia, and even though it was innovated many times, it still nurtures a rich tradition in many aspects of its various programs.
In the year of 1804, the town received the so-called free-market letter by the Austria-Hungarian monarch Franz II, as an award for the bravery of its inhabitants during the wars against the Turks, and in 1817, it gains the status of the free royal town in the Austria-Hungarian Monarchy.
As in the past, Vršac is today still a multinational surrounding, where human rights are respected regardless of national or religious beliefs. Vršac is a peaceful town with plenty of schools, sports centers, cultural and health institutions, with a strong economical potential for future prosperity.
