Podunavski Okrug, or Podunavlje District, one of Serbia's self-governing regions, is located in the central part of the country. To the north, it is bounded by the Danube River, while the Great Morava River flows along its eastern border. The district is surrounded by South Banat District along its northern portion, as its western region is adjacent to Belgrade and the Šumadija District. In the southeast, it borders the Pomeranian District, and to the west, it meets the Braničevo District. Podunavski Okrug's landscapes are represented by rolling lowland terrain, with a couple of prominent rivers—the Danube and Velika Morava—as well as a temperate continental climate, which can provide the means for both human habitation and agriculture.[4] The capital city, Smederevo, is found in the northern part of the district, lying on the shores of the Danube River. The capital's predominant landmark and one of the local historical and cultural attractions is the Smederevo Fortress, protected by UNESCO, as it is one of the most extensive fortifications in southeast Europe.[9] The area around Smederevo is known for its history of viticulture, with some of the vineyards dating back to the 15th century.[5] Visitors seeking a wine-tasting experience can venture into the Jeremić Winery, which provides guided tours of their wine cellars.[7]
Smederevo, known as the "Water City," holds historical and cultural significance. It was intentionally built as the last Serbian medieval capital. This lowland fortress, one of Europe's largest, served as a crucial gateway connecting East and West.
Within Smederevo's fortress, visitors can explore remnants of the last Serbian medieval court and witness the influence of the Renaissance. Additionally, Despot Djuradj's court features glass windows from Venice's Murano island. The fortress also features an acoustic palace where Kir Stefan the Serb, a court composer, entertained. Today, the Smederevo Fortress is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[9] Moreover, in the city can be found a 300-year-old mulberry tree, which symbolizes Karadjordje receiving the city keys in 1805, making Smederevo the first capital of liberated Serbia. The local historical plaques commemorate the first Serbian government's residence from 1805 to 1807.
Furthermore, the Obrenovic dynasty left an architectural legacy, enhancing the town square and introducing European influences. Smederevo's reputation for exceptional wines and grapes led to the tradition of Smederevo Autumn, one of the oldest festivals in Serbia. Today, Smederevo serves as an industrial and cultural hub, offering local cuisine, wines, festivals, and a cultural scene year-round.[8]
The Jeremić Winery, situated in the Jugovo region of Smederevo, about 50 kilometers south of Belgrade, represents a blend of modern winemaking techniques and long family tradition. Founded in 2010 as a branch unit of "EKO mineral d.o.o.," owned by the Jeremić family from Smederevo, the winery has evolved from a small-scale operation serving family and friends to a developed facility. In the winery, they employ both traditional methods and the latest trends in winemaking, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The winery offers sweeping views of the Danube River and vineyards. Visitors to the Jeremić Winery can partake in guided tours of the wine cellar, gaining insights into the production process and indulging in wine tastings. Additionally, the winery offers a selection of paired foods, such as smoked ham, cheese, and pasta, to complement the wine-tasting experience.[7]
The Podunavlje District, located in the central part of the Republic of Serbia, covers an area of 1,248 square kilometers. It is bordered by the Danube to the north, the Great Morava to the east, the South Banat District to the north, Belgrade and Šumadija District to the west, Pomeranian District to the southeast, and Braničevo District to the west. The gently undulating lowland terrain, large rivers such as the Danube and Velika Morava, and a moderate continental climate have provided conditions for life and agriculture in the area. Other rivers that flow through Podunavski Okrug include Jasenica, Kubršnica, and Veliki Lug. Several reservoirs, namely Kudrečko Lake near Smederevska Palanka, have been created by regulating river flows and are popular among fishermen and nature enthusiasts. Additionally, the region features forests, mineral and thermal springs, diverse flora and fauna, and fertile soil suitable for agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fruit cultivation, and viticulture.[4]
Today, the Danube River plays a vital role in nautical tourism, serving as the central route for Pan-European Corridor 7, as it is fully navigable in Serbia, serving as an international waterway. Within the Smederevo Podunavlje region, the Danube extends for 25 kilometers, flowing from Orešac to the Morava River's mouth. Its course runs west to east, with a width of 800 to 1,300 meters. Near the Smederevo fortress, the river splits into three branches, with the right one being the widest and deepest. The construction of the Đerdap Lake has reduced the Danube's flow speed, raised water levels, and led to more rapid sediment deposition and riverbed elevation. The average annual water temperature in the Danube near Smederevo is 12.2°C.[10]
Since the 15th century, Smederevo has had multiple vineyards in the area, which prompted the construction of several wine houses. In later years, Milos Obrenovic contributed to Smederevo's winemaking tradition by planting 36 hectares of vineyards on Zlatni Breg, the family's summer estate. The PK Godomin wine cellar, established in 1909, still operates today, preserving Smederevo's history of winemaking. Traditionally, Smederevo vintners packaged their local white wine, known as Smederevka, in crates and cases for export to Western European markets.
Smederevka, named after the town of Smederevo, is the region's leading grape variety and a traditional symbol of local viticulture. In addition to Smederevka, the region also produces wines from Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Sémillon, Traminac, Gamay, and Prokupac grapes, resulting in a variety of red and blush wines.[5]
Concerning the weather of Podunavski Okrug, the months of May and September generally offer weather characterized by average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. August tends to be the warmest month in Smederevo, averaging a maximum temperature of 31°C, while January is typically the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 5°C. As approximately 90 millimeters of precipitation is received in June, this deems it the wettest month in Smederevo. Conversely, January experiences comparatively drier conditions, with 53 millimeters of rainfall.[6]
Serbia's Podunavlje area has a history of prehistoric cultures, including Lepenski Vir and Vinča. Serbian presence in the Podunavlje area began in the 6th century, but it wasn't until the 13th century that Serbian statehood extended to the Danube River. The area was ruled by various Serbian entities, including the Kingdom of Syrmia and the Serbian Despotate, with Belgrade and Smederevo as significant centers. After the Ottoman conquest in 1459, it was divided between the Ottomans and Habsburgs, both witnessing Serb struggles for autonomy.
In the 19th century, the southern part became the autonomous Principality of Serbia. The southern principality gained complete independence in 1878 and became the Kingdom of Serbia in 1882.[1]
Concerning the history of Podunavski Okrug's capital, during the 7th millennium BC, the Starčevo culture was present in the Smederevo region, followed by the Vinča culture in the 6th millennium BC, which thrived in the same area. In the 1st century BC, the Roman Empire conquered Vinceia, incorporating it into Moesia, later known as Moesia Superior. During Diocletian's administrative reforms, it became part of the Diocese of Moesia and later the Diocese of Dacia.[2]
In 1427, Smederevo became the new Serbian capital. The Smederevo fortress, built from 1429-1430, has a triangular shape, 5 gates, 25 towers, double ramparts, and a moat. It also includes a smaller stronghold with its moat and four bastions. Djuradj Brankovic, the despot at the time, ordered the castle's construction to create a barrier against the advancing Turks. Legend states that peasants were forced to provide thousands of eggs to mix with the mortar, while another story mentions Branković's wife, Jerina, as the driving force. However, the Turks eventually conquered the fortress in 1459, marking their victory over Serbian territory. It remained under Turkish control until 1805, with a brief Austrian period. The fortress suffered damage in modern times due to a German ammunition depot explosion in 1941 and bombings by Allied forces in 1944.[3]
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