Chetnik detachments :
76-586: Serbian campaign (1915) Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian occupation The Toplica Uprising ( Serbian : Топлички устанак ) was a mass uprising by Serbian rebels against the Bulgarian occupation forces that took place in Bulgarian occupied Serbia during the First World War . The rebels were motivated by grievances against the Bulgarian authorities for ordering conscription of local Serbs in
152-715: A cultural monument . It is colloquially also called the Roman Bath, the Turkish Bath or the Amam (the word "hamam" as pronounced in the eastern Serbian dialects that feature H-dropping ). The venue served as the setting for the film Zona Zamfirova in 2002. The bath was renovated in 2005. Water from springs in Sokobanja are hipertermal and hipotermal. Hipertermal water contains microelements and small amounts of radioactive Radon and Kalium. Radioactivity on spring "Park"
228-581: A canyon just 2 km before entering the town. Remains of the Roman and later medieval Serbian fortress Sokograd stand today near the canyon of Moravica. The Moravica was known for the clear water and the abundance of the crayfish . The 1945 edition of the Politika newspaper reports about the export of the crayfish from Sokobanja, stating that "they were transported from Moravica by airplanes to Paris, London and Monte Carlo". Artificial Lake Bovan on
304-473: A decision for a general uprising was taken, according to historian Andrej Mitrović , the uprising was already underway by the time they made their decision. The rebellion included the areas of Toplica, Jablanica, Jastrebac, and eastern and central parts of Kopaonik . The rebels liberated Kuršumlija (27 February), Lebane (1 March), Prokuplje (3 March) and Blace (5 March). Having broke out in the Toplica region,
380-530: A declaration of war, Bulgaria started border attacks into Serbia. On 14 October, Bulgaria officially declared war; General Kliment Boyadzhiev 's Bulgarian First Army , under German orders, was to advance on Niš , the temporary capital of the Serbian government and link with German Eleventh Army; the Bulgarian Second Army under General Georgi Todorov was to proceed into Macedonia , to sever
456-769: A flower for his girlfriend, while the other ("Girl's") was named after a girl who committed suicide by jumping of it so that she wouldn't be ravaged by the Ottomans. There is also a Vrmdža Lake, old renovated watermill, wooden bridge over the Oravica stream, and a sawmill. Other attractions include swimming in the Moravica river and the Lake Bovan, which is especially popular among fishermen, galleries, museums, various concerts and festivities, hiking, wellness centers, hotels, aqua park , saunas, etc. Festivals include "Saint John
532-581: A lot during its history, but from the Roman times it was always connected to its spa function (Serbian banja ): Balnea, Banja, Velika Banja ("Great Spa"), Aleksinačka Banja (" Aleksinac Spa"), Sokol Banja. Sokobanja, as both the thermal and air spa, is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Serbia . Satirist Branislav Nušić coined the rhyme Sokobanja, Soko-grad, dođeš mator, odeš mlad ("Sokobanja, Sokograd, you come old, you leave young"). He wrote it on
608-725: A military campaign carried out by the Central Powers , primarily Germany , Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria , against the Kingdom of Serbia during World War I . The campaign took place from October to November 1915. After Serbia successfully resisted Austria-Hungary's advances during the Serbian campaign of 1914 , the Central Powers launched a joint offensive against Serbia with a combined force of over 600,000 soldiers. They enjoyed numerical and technological superiority over
684-467: A postcard manufactured by his friend so that he could boost the sales. After being printed in the Politika newspaper on 7 July 1934, the catchphrase became popular, surviving till today as the trademark of Sokobanja, inspiring several songs. There are remains of the Roman thermae : wooden foundations, bricks, mosaics and round bathtubs. During the Ottoman period, the Roman foundations were used for
760-540: A retreat across the Albanian mountains , suffering heavy casualties from combat, disease, and harsh weather, the retreat became known as the Great Retreat or the "Albanian Golgotha." By the end of the Serbian campaign of 1915, the Central Powers had effectively eliminated Serbia as a threat, secured their position in the region and opened up a land route to provide supplies to the embattled Ottoman Empire. Serbia
836-477: A victory for Serbia. The Austro-Hungarians suffered heavy casualties with over 224,000 dead, wounded or prisoner and were unable to achieve their objectives but the victory also brought heavy losses to the Serbian army with 170,000 casualties a much higher percentage for the small kingdom, making further offensive operations impossible. In early 1915, following Ottoman defeats at the Battle of Sarikamish and during
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#1732798380708912-457: A while. He originally stayed in the villa Mon repos and then moved to "Bota", which is today within the hospital complex. According to Andrić's diary, during his stay in the spa, he finished the short story Snake and began writing some of his most important works: novels The Bridge on the Drina and Woman from Sarajevo and short story Jelena, the woman of my dream . Re-visiting Sokobanja and
988-451: Is 186±10 mBq/l if we talk about Alpha particles and 283±17 mBq/l from Beta particles. The illnesses which are being treated in the spa include asthma , bronchitis , emphysema , respiratory infections , allergies in children , cardiovascular diseases , rheumatism , neurological and gynecological illnesses, physical and psychic exhaustion, etc. In September 2023 construction of the heating pipeline which would conduct hot spring water from
1064-506: Is a spa town and municipality located in the Zaječar District of the eastern Serbia . As of 2022, the population of the town is 7,188, while population of the municipality is 13,199. Sokobanja is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Serbia . It is situated in the southern part of Sokobanja valley , surrounded by mountains Ozren , Devica , Janior , Rtanj , and Bukovik . The Moravica River runs through Sokobanja. It creates
1140-564: The First Suez Offensive , German Chief of the General Staff Erich von Falkenhayn attempted to persuade Austro-Hungarian Chief of Staff Conrad von Hötzendorf about the strategic importance of capturing Serbia . The rationale behind this proposition was to establish a direct rail connection from Germany through Austria-Hungary, ultimately reaching Istanbul and beyond. This proposed rail link would facilitate
1216-819: The Imperial and Royal Danube Flotilla . Having sent the Timok Group and the Second Army to defend the Bulgarian border, Putnik could only oppose four divisions to the Austro-Hungarian and German invading forces. On 8 October German troops managed to reach the south bank of the Sava, threatening the Serbian west flank and the north of Belgrade. That same day Austro-Hungarian troops enter Belgrade, hard hand to hand fighting ensued. Facing overwhelming artillery superiority, Serbian forces were forced back; during
1292-529: The New Territories , was replaced by Petar Bojović . On 25 October units of First Army captured Negotin and connected with German Eleventh Army. Facing encirclement from German and Austro- Hungarian troops only 6 miles from Kragujevac and Bulgarians 15 miles to the east near Niš, the Serbs only hope was to fight its way south to link up with Allies forces. After Greece chose to remain neutral, despite
1368-714: The Serbian First Army , Voivode Stepa Stepanović commander of the Second Army while the Serbian Third Army was under Pavle Jurišić Šturm . The Serbian army had about 780 guns, most of them heavy, the Serbians were forced to spread their forces by the entry of Bulgaria on the side of the Central powers. The commander (Serdar) of the Montenegrin forces was Janko Vukotić . Against Serbia were
1444-453: The Turkish bath in the 16th century. The Turks kept the original round shape of the pools as in the hamams they are usually square-shaped. Above each pool, there is a dome with holes which functions as the natural ventilation. Ottoman defter from 1560 mentions the repairs of the hammam . In the 18th century, Samuel von Schmettau wrote about the marble baths. The first physician to
1520-487: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Bosnian-Serb nationalist. This triggered a series of alliances and escalations among European powers, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I . In August 1914, Austria-Hungary launched an invasion of Serbia. Against all odds, the Serbian army, led by General Radomir Putnik managed to repel multiple offensives from a much larger and better-equipped enemy. The Serbian campaign of 1914 ended late on 14 December with
1596-501: The "Great Retreat", also known as the Albanian Golgotha, is regarded in Serbian history as one of the nation's greatest tragedies. The Army of Montenegro did not follow the Serbs into exile but retreated to defend their own country. The Austrian-Hungarians launched their Montenegrin campaign on 5 January 1916. Despite some success of The Montenegrins in the Battle of Mojkovac , they were defeated within two weeks. Serbia
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#17327983807081672-403: The 13th century, it has only one room and frescoes on the ceiling. It was reconstructed and annexed in 1819. The locality is close to the former Tsarigrad Road , which connected Belgrade and Istanbul . Next to the road are two rocks, named Nikolina stena and Devojačka stena after the folk tales. The first one was named after a young man Nikola who slipped and got killed after trying to pick
1748-559: The Adriatic coast. They then boarded Allied transport ships that took them to the island of Corfu , before eventually being sent to Salonika. The evacuation of the Serbian army was completed on 5 April 1916. Some survivors were in such weakened conditions that thousands of them died in the weeks following their rescue. Marshal Putnik, who had to be carried throughout the entire retreat, died fifteen months later in France. The period known as
1824-582: The Allied defeat in the Gallipoli campaign and the Russian setback at Gorlice , Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria signed a treaty with Germany and on 23 September 1915 started mobilisation for war. During the preceding nine months, the Serbs had tried and failed to rebuild their battered armies and improve their supply situation. Despite their efforts, the Serbian army was only about 30,000 men stronger than at
1900-557: The Allied forces following Greece's entry into the war. These Serbian units would ultimately play a pivotal role in the breakthrough of the Macedonian Front in September 1917 and the subsequent liberation of Serbia a year later when French and Serbian forces defeated Bulgarian and German forces at the Battle of Dobro Pole . Sokobanja Sokobanja ( Serbian Cyrillic : Сокобања , pronounced [sɔ̂kɔbaɲa] )
1976-778: The Allies and the Central Powers attempted to persuade Bulgaria to align with their respective sides. Bulgaria and Serbia had a history of conflict, having engaged in two wars in the previous three decades: the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885 and the Second Balkan War in 1913. By aligning with the Central Powers, Bulgaria was promised not only disputed lands from Serbia but also additional territories in Macedonia and Thrace; in addition Germany and Austria-Hungary, offered Bulgaria military and economic support. Following
2052-603: The Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian occupation administrations implemented stringent measures, subjecting the population to various forms of repression, including mass internment, forced labor, concentration camps for political opponents, famine, denationalisation, and policies aimed at cultural assimilation. Kosovo was divided into two Austro-Hungarian occupational zones and the Bulgarian Military Region of Macedonia. In 1916, over 110,000 Serbian troops were relocated to Salonika, where they subsequently joined
2128-754: The Bulgarian 9th Infantry Division successfully established contact with the German Eleventh Army. On November 6, the Forty-Third Reserve Infantry Division secured the area south of Kraljevo . This allowed the Central Powers access to the Ibar River valley. Field Marshal Mackensen ordered a pursuit by the Bulgarians southwest toward Pristina , however, the First Army encountered challenges in crossing
2204-858: The Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian forces and capture the remaining Serbian rebels into the mountains. On 23 December 1917, surrounded by enemy forces, Vojinović took his own life before they could capture him. The uprising is a notable event in the history of Serbia in World War I. It was the only rebellion in the territories occupied by the armies of the Central Powers. Serbian campaign (1915) Army Group Mackensen Royal Serbian Army 600,000: 100,000 Germans 200,000 Austro-Hungarians 566 battalions and 273 guns (108 heavy) ~300,000: ~260,000 Serbians 275 battalions and 654 cannons Serbian campaign (1915) Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian occupation The Serbian campaign of 1915 ( German : Der serbische Feldzug 1915 ) refers to
2280-437: The Bulgarian army, forced labour and the denationalization policy imposed on the indigenous population. The revolt was supported by Serbian guerrilla fighters known as Chetniks . The Toplica uprising lasted from 24 February to 25 March 1917. It was the only uprising in an occupied country during the entire First World War; Serbian sources claim that as many as 20,000 Serbs died in the revolt and its aftermath. In October 1915,
2356-615: The Bulgarians. The French government and the War Office in London were both hesitant to advance too deep into Serbia, but Sarrail continued up the Vardar. This advance provided some limited assistance to the retreating Serbian army, as the Bulgarians had to concentrate larger forces on their southern flank to deal with the threat, which led to the Battle of Krivolak . The French and British soldiers, moving up in two columns on both sides of
Toplica Uprising - Misplaced Pages Continue
2432-719: The French front, as well as the Austro-Hungarian 10th Mountain Brigade . In the south, the Bulgarian Second Army could not be stopped and managed to sever the train line on 16 October then reach the Vardar River on 19, Kumanovo on 20, Skopje on 22 and capturing the strategic Kačanik gorge on 26 October forcing the Serbians to retreat again. As a result Serbian General Damjan Popović , commander of
2508-794: The German Eleventh Army led by Generaloberst Max von Gallwitz , the Austro-Hungarian Third Army commanded by General der Infanterie Hermann Kövess and the Bulgarian First Army under Generalleutnant Kliment Boyadzhiev (comprising the Sixth, Eighth, Ninth and First Divisions); all under the supreme command of Field Marshal August von Mackensen . In addition, the Bulgarian Second Army commanded by Georgi Todorov (comprising
2584-665: The Herbs-picker" (in July; dedicated to the medicinal herbs picking on the surrounding mountains of Ozren, Rtanj, and Devica), "Green Heart Fest" (in July; the rock and house music festival) and "Marathon of the wishes" (in September). Since 1983, a "Golden hands" cooking festival has been held annually in July. Only the old, traditional local meals are prepared. Hiking is organized on the Ozren, Rtanj, Devica, and Bukovik mountains, while
2660-527: The Kingdom of Serbia, which had throughout the fall of 1914 managed to withstand and repel three Austro-Hungarian invasions , found itself under attack again . This time it was a joint Austro-Hungarian, German, and Bulgarian invasion from two directions that included Austro-Hungarian Third Army, German Eleventh Army , and Bulgarian First and Second armies. Outnumbered and outmatched, the Serbian Army
2736-493: The Moravica is situated some 10 minutes drive to the west of Sokobanja. Sokobanja is on elevation of about 369 m, although some parts of the town are on higher elevation. On the graph below it is possible to see climate data for Sokobanja in period 2018-2023.Temperatures are rising in this region so Sokobanja is now bordering Humid subtropical and Humid Continental climate, since winter averages are about 1 degrees and summer averages are above 22 degrees. The settlement changed name
2812-420: The Ozren mountain to the town began. The grid will be used for the heating of public buildings. Soko Grad ( Соко Град ), also known as Sokolac , was a medieval city and fortress 2 km (1.2 mi) east of Sokobanja. The fortress was declared a Monument of Culture of Great Importance in 1982, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia . The fortress originates from the Roman, early Christian period. It
2888-489: The Serbian Army at Kragujevac via encirclement. Facing the oncoming German III Corps, Austro-Hungarian units to the west, and the Bulgarian 9th Infantry Division blocking the southern route through Niš, the Serbian army abandoned Kragujevac without a fight. They retreated into the mountains followed by large groups of civilians, escaping the trap, and leaving only rearguards to slow down the oncoming enemies. On 5 November,
2964-434: The Serbian army, which was heavily outnumbered and lacked adequate supplies and equipment. The campaign began with a series of coordinated offensives aimed at breaking through Serbian defensive lines. The Serbian army, led by King Peter I and Field Marshal Radomir Putnik , fought valiantly but was ultimately overwhelmed by the Central Powers' forces. The Serbian army, along with a significant number of civilians, embarked on
3040-603: The Serbian forces with the X Reserve Corps, including the 107th Infantry Division, which had to navigate difficult terrain and mountain passes, on 13 November they were able to secure the passes against the Serbian Drina II Division. As the Central Powers advanced, the Serbian army managed to maintain its organisational integrity and hold off their pursuers despite the loss of key cities. The Serbian forces reached Pristina and Kosovo ahead of their pursuers and chose to continue retreating towards Prizren , escaping
3116-628: The Serbian population of a breakthrough of the Salonika front, some arming themselves and taking to the forests. Kosta Vojinović began the organization of resistance, and in the summer of 1916, established a band in Leposavić , the core of the future Ibar–Kopaonik Detachment. At the end of September 1916, the Serbian High Command sent Kosta Pećanac , reserve infantry lieutenant and veteran Chetnik Vojvoda , by airplane into Toplica. He
Toplica Uprising - Misplaced Pages Continue
3192-516: The Third and Seventh Divisions, a cavalry division and a group of volunteers), which remained under the direct control of the Bulgarian high command, was deployed in Macedonia to block any advance by the entente forces from Salonika. On 5 October after extensive aerial reconnaissance, Austro-Hungarian artillery began to fire on Serbian guns and known defensive positions. On 6 October, the offensive
3268-835: The Vardar River into Serbian Macedonia, comprised a total force of 60,000 men. They were stopped and forced to retreat after clashing with the leading elements of the Bulgarian Second Army. In a similar fashion, on December 7, at the Battle of Kosturino , the Second Army attacked the British 10th (Irish) Infantry Division, veterans of the Gallipoli campaign in poor physical condition, forcing it to retreat into Salonika by 12 December. The German High Command refused Bulgarian demands to advance into Greece. On October 31, 1915, Mackensen launched an attack intended to decisively defeat
3344-650: The West and South Morava Rivers. On 10 November the Bulgarian First Division managed to cross the South Morava at Leskovac , but a Serbian force consisting of the Timok I, Šumadija II, and Morava II Divisions launched a surprise counterattack driving the Bulgarians back. The Serbians continued their retreat toward Pristina while enemy aerial reconnaissance followed their movements. The Germans pursued
3420-612: The accommodation for the guests, physicians, and Turkish bath (hammam) workers. On 21 June 1837, Prince Miloš signed an order for a sergeant major Lazarević from the Military-police office in Kragujevac to be sent to Sokobanja for a healing treatment. This date is today considered as the starting date of the spa tourism in Serbia. Prince renovated and expanded the Turkish bath and appointed Austrian doctor Leopold Ehrlich as
3496-466: The area of Pomoravlje , which had been a target of Bulgarian nationalism . The primary cause of the rebellion was the policies passed by the occupiers. Constant denationalization, including closing Serbian schools, prohibition of the Serbian language and traditions, burning of books, and looting, requisition, and internment, provoked the population. Romania entering the war in August 1916 awakened hope in
3572-430: The enemy's attempts to encircle them. On 20 November, Nikola Pašić sent a message asking the Allies for supplies to be sent to Adriatic ports. On 23 November Mitrovica and Pristina fell to the Central Powers. To escape the encirclement by the Central Powers, on 25 November 1915, the government and the supreme command made the decision to withdraw across the Accursed Mountains of Montenegro and Albania. The objective
3648-465: The first spa doctor. Prince personally visited the spa a lot and built several other objects, like the Prince Miloš Fountain, on the road to Aleksinac , Miloš' Konak in downtown Sokobanja, today a restaurant, and Miloš' bathtub in the hammam. The prince's bathtub, which still in use today just as the entire hammam complex, is short but deep, has its own tap and is placed in a separate room. There are two other pools, "male" and "female", with hot water from
3724-443: The forest. The lung hospital is a legal successor of the original, 1837 hospital. Major boost to the tourism was opening of the Hotel Sunce ("Sun") in 1977. The edifice with specific design is located next to the Moravica river in the eastern section of Sokobanja. The town center of Sokobanja is home to the 19th-century buildings of elementary school and Serbian Orthodox church. In the village of Jošanica, 15 km (9.3 mi) to
3800-421: The gate, walls, and three towers. In the village of Vrmdža , 12 km (7.5 mi) to the north, there are remains of another fort, Town of Vrmdža ( Vrmdžanski grad) . It was also originally a Roman fortress built during the rule of Emperor Justinian I and was also destroyed in 1413. The village was revived in the 21st century, with the growing tourism on the Rtanj mountain. The villagers began to revitalize
3876-400: The late 13th and early 14th centuries on the foundations of the Roman fort. It was mentioned later during the reign of Despot Stefan Lazarević . The Ottoman Empire occupied it in 1398. The town was destroyed in 1413 by the Ottomans during the 1402–13 civil war , in the battle between Musa Çelebi and the local Turkish chieftain Hamuz Beg. Today the only visible remains of the upper town are
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#17327983807083952-467: The mineral waters from Sokobanja to be sent to Vienna, Austria, for testing which confirmed the positive healing effect of the water. In 1835, on prince's invitation, German geologist August von Herder among other thermal springs and mining localities, visited Sokobanja. He compared its waters to those from the Austrian spa Bad Gastein . In 1837 Prince Miloš ordered the construction of hospital ( špitalj ) in Sokobanja, with "20 rooms with floors", including
4028-431: The most violent actions committed by the Bulgarian paramilitary. After several days of fighting, the Bulgarians entered Prokuplje on 14 March, and the Austro-Hungarians entered Kuršumlija on 16 March. As of 25 March, the order there was fully restored. In the battles, several thousand people were killed, including civilians. In April 1917, Pećanac, with his guerrillas, attacked a railway station. On 15 May, Pećanac entered
4104-494: The night of 8–9 October General Mihailo Živković gave up the capital, pulling the Defence of Belgrade Group out to position south where it joined with the 2nd Timok Division. On 9 October Belgrade was occupied by Austro-Hungarian Third Army while German Eleventh Army had crossed the Danube with the III Corps at Smederevo and with the X Corps at Ram , successfully establishing two bridgeheads to serve as base for further operations. On 11 October, having mobilised but without
4180-426: The northwest, there is a Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God . Founded in the 11th century, it is the oldest existing church in eastern Serbia. Closer to Sokobanja, on the Ozren mountain, there is a Jermenčić Monastery, founded in the 14th century by the Armenians who were fleeing the invading Ottomans. Southeast of Sokobanja, on the slopes of Ozren, there is a seasonal Ripaljka waterfall. It exists only during
4256-468: The objects, with the help of the village diaspora from the United States, Switzerland and Italy. Some immigrants returned with families, but also some foreigners moved their families to Vrmdža, renovating over 40 houses. The old school, built in 1851 and operational until 1863, and then being turned into the monastery's konak , has been adapted into the museum. There are also a monument to the soldiers of World War I and an unusual medieval church. Dating from
4332-446: The old Bulgarian border and invaded Bosilegrad , which was burned. Then his band withdrew to Kosovo , controlled by the Austro-Hungarians. The Allies opened a new front at Salonika in June, but the Serbian army couldn't break through the Bulgarian lines. After reemerging briefly, in September – October 1917, Pećanac again disappeared. In October 1917, the Austro-Hungarian command created entirely Albanian paramilitary detachments to assist
4408-419: The popular excursion sites are the Sesalac cave, Očno, Kalinovica and Lepterija, known for the natural phenomenon, an apparent image of the Mother of God in the boulder. In the neighborhood of Gradašnica, on the river of the same name, there were 13 watermills, built from the early 19th century. They all went out of service by the 1960s. One of them has been renovated and became operational again, but only for
4484-415: The rail line between Niš and Salonika and thus prevent Allied relief forces and ammunitions from reaching the Serbs. The Bulgarian First Army first made quick progress as the Serbs had moved troops north and the border units were of "low quality" but was stopped by the Serbian Second Army which made the German general staff request reinforcements, resulting in the German Alpine Corps brought in from
4560-468: The rebellion expanded into territories on the right bank of the West Morava (Vlasotince, Crna Trava, Vranje area), and in the West Morava valley, including the Sokobanja and Svrljig areas. On 12 March, the Bulgarian counter-attack started under the command of Alexander Protogerov involving IMRO forces led by Tane Nikolov . Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian authorities worked together. IMRO commander and Bulgarian officer Todor Aleksandrov orchestrated
4636-434: The spa was appointed in 1833 by the Serbian ruling prince Miloš Obrenović , only 20 days after the town was liberated from the Ottomans. It was a surgeon Georgije Đorđe Novaković, originally Leopold Ehrlich, a Jew from Galicia , who switched to Serbian Orthodox Church after moving to Serbia. At that time, he was only one of three physicians in entire Serbia, not counting the military ambulances. In 1834, Prince Miloš ordered
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#17327983807084712-429: The spring after the snow melts on the mountain. Already by May, it is usually dry. According to 2022 census of population, there were 13,199 inhabitants in the municipality and 7,188 in the town and municipal seat. The area has been depopulating for decades. The number of inhabitants in the municipality peaked in 1953 (pop. 24,621), while the largest population in the town was recorded in 1991 (pop. 8,439). Aside from
4788-488: The start of the war (around 225,000) and was still poorly equipped. The first Serbian Campaign had taken the lives of 100,000 soldiers and had been followed by an epidemy of typhus caused by the sick and wounded that the Austro-Hungarians had left behind. The disease claimed the lives of another 135,000 Serbs. The Serbian army was commanded by Voivode Radomir Putnik who had defeated the Austro-Hungarians in 1914, Putnik's main commanders were Voivode Živojin Mišić leading
4864-405: The terms of the treaty of alliance with Serbia, the Allies agreed to send a force to support the Serbs. After much delays imposed by Greece, the French 156th Division and the British 10th Division arrived in Salonika from Gallipoli early October. Under the command of French General Maurice Sarrail , two French divisions marched north towards Serbia, with the goal was of liberating Skopje, occupied by
4940-614: The touristic purposes so that visitors can grind the cereals and knead dough themselves. On Ozren Mountain there is a large, single boulder in the middle of the vast meadow. It has been called the "Stone of love" as, allegedly, those who exchange kisses of vows sitting on the rock will stay together forever. According to the folk story, military commander and rebel Hajduk-Veljko and female hajduk Čučuk Stana , exchanged vows at this location. Special hospitals for lung diseases (Hospital for non-specific lung diseases, founded in 1978) and ophthalmology are situated on Ozren mountain, surrounded by
5016-474: The transportation of military resources, and potentially troops, to support the Ottoman Empire . Russia posed a significant threat as an adversary, and the entry of Italy into the war on the side of the Allies further complicated the challenges faced by the Austro-Hungarian forces. On 8 September 1915, Erich von Falkenhayn and Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf signed a military convention in Pless . The conference called for an immediate attack on Serbia. Both
5092-445: The trek across the mountains 77,455 soldiers and 160,000 civilians succumbed to freezing temperatures, starvation, diseases, or enemy actions. Austrian pilots employed new aerial bombardment technology, dropping bombs on the retreating columns, marking what has been described as 'the first aerial bombardment of civilians.' Out of the initial 400,000 people who began this journey, only 120,000 soldiers and 60,000 civilians managed to reach
5168-410: The underground springs. The spa became quite popular among the cultural elite and was visited by writers, poets, painters, sculptors, actors, directors. Apart from Nušić, it was visited by Jovan Cvijić , Isidora Sekulić , Stevan Sremac and Meša Selimović , while the Nobelist author Ivo Andrić draw a graphic of the town. During World War II , Andrić moved from Belgrade to Sokobanja in 1942 for
5244-419: The villa "Bota" in 1973, Andrić wrote: "I am fearful, this place will become famous. The world will rush in and I will have to run away from here and try to find a new spa. But where can I find beauty and peace like this?". The Turkish bath in Sokobanja is the only still functioning such facility in eastern Serbia. Under the name Staro banjsko kupatilo ("Old spa bath") it is protected by the state and declared
5320-431: Was defeated by December 1915. However, rather than surrendering and capitulating, the Serbian military and political leaders decided on a long and arduous army retreat south towards Albania, hoping to reach the Adriatic coast for evacuation and regrouping. This resulted in the invading Central Powers forces occupying the entire territory of the Kingdom of Serbia. In the immediate division of spoils, Kingdom of Bulgaria got
5396-455: Was divided by the Central Powers, between separate Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian military occupation zones. In the northern and central part of Serbia, which fell under Austro-Hungarian control, a Military General Governorate of Serbia was established, headquartered in Belgrade. The Bulgarian-occupied territory saw the formation of a military government with its center in Niš , with the area further divided into two administrative zones. Both
5472-518: Was founded in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I , to prevent incursions of Pannonian Avars and Slavs into the Balkan peninsula . In 1172, it was occupied by Stefan Nemanja and became part of the medieval Serbian state. There is evidence that the fortress was razed during Stefan Nemanja's rule, as part of the prosecution of the Bogumils . The fort was rebuilt and expanded in
5548-579: Was launched when German Eleventh Army (GE Eleventh Army) and Austro-Hungarian Third Army (AH Third Army), some 300,000 men strong, started advancing towards the Danube and the Drina and Sava rivers. That day Bulgarian troops started sporadic attacks across various border crossing with Serbia. Early on 7 October crossing of the Sava by Austro-Hungarian Third Army, including the German XXII Reserve Corps, began supported by monitors from
5624-657: Was tasked to establish a secret resistance organization to be activated when the Allies and the Serbian Army were to break the Salonika front and arrive at Skoplje . The peak of Serbian discontent came with the Bulgarian announcement of conscription of local Serbs aged 18–50 for military service. Massive flights to the mountains from Bulgarian recruit commissions began. The first armed conflicts between fleeing conscripts and Bulgarian chases began after 20 February. Pećanac and Vojinović established headquarters on Mount Kopaonik . Guerrilla leaders met secretly near Leskovac on 21 February 1917 to vote on whether to launch an uprising. Though
5700-543: Was then divided between the Austro-Hungarian occupied zone and the Bulgarian occupied zone . The Serbian government, along with the remnants of its army, evacuated to the Greek island of Corfu , where they regrouped and later played a crucial role in the ultimate Allied victory in the war. Regarding the Kingdom of Serbia as a threat to their territorial integrity and the stability of their multi-ethnic empire, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914, following
5776-545: Was to reach the Adriatic coast , where the Serbs could regroup and replenish. The retreat involved the remaining army forces, the King, hundreds of thousands of civilian refugees, and war prisoners. It was a perilous journey undertaken in the midst of winter, with severe weather conditions, difficult roads, and the constant threat of attacks by enemy forces and Albanian tribal bands. Between November 1915 and January 1916, during
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