Loznica Лозница
—  City  —
Panoramic view of Loznica
Coat of arms
Location of the municipality of Loznica within Serbia
Coordinates: 44°32′N 019°13′E / 44.533°N 19.217°E / 44.533; 19.217
Country	Serbia
District	Mačva
Settlements	54
Government
• Mayor	Vidoje Petrović (G17+)
Area[1]
• Municipality	612 km2 (236 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)[2]
• Town	19,212
• Municipality	78,788
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	15300
Area code	+381 15
Car plates	LO
Website	www.loznica.rs

Loznica (Serbian pronunciation: [lǒznitsa]; Serbian Cyrillic: Лозница) is a city located in western Serbia, in the Mačva District. It lies on the right bank of the Drina river. In 2011 the town has total population of 19,572, while the administrative area had a population of 84 925. During Roman period, the place was called Ad Drinum. In January 2008, according to Serbian law, Loznica received status of a city.

Name [edit]

Its name stems from the word "loza" (the Serbian word for vine). Originally, its name was Lozica (Serbian for small vine), but it later became Loznica.^[3]

History [edit]

Marcus Aurelius Probus

The oldest settlements on the territory of Jadar and Loznica can be traced to the Neolithic period when the Starcevo culture flourished from 4500–3000 BC. Illyrian and Celtic tribes inhabited the region prior to the Roman conquest in 75 BC.

Roman conquest of the Balkan peninsula brought huge changes: the territory became part of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The first settlement located on the place of present Loznica was named in ancient times, while the most important settlement in Jadar was "Genzis", located approximately on the territory of today's Lešnica. Legend states that Loznica was named after the grape vines that were grown in this region, starting from the 3rd century BCin the time of Roman Emperor Probus. The first reference to Loznica dates back to the history of King Stephen Uroš II Milutin of Serbia, when Katharine, the wife of Milutin's brother Dragutin, set up nearby monastery of Tronoša (1317). Loznica received little notice for the next two hundred years. By the year 1533, Loznica was part of the Ottoman Empire and was populated mainly by Muslims. Out of 37 houses, according to the census, 26 houses were Muslim and only 11 Christian.

In 1600, Loznica became an officially Muslim settlement with 55 houses. In this period Loznica and Jadar were part of the region administered from Zvornik. The Zvronik region itself was ruled by the pasha in Bosnia. Striving toward liberation from the Turkish rule the population of Loznica was actively involved in the common fight of the Serbian people, beginning with the First Serbian Uprising of 1804. The uprising was very important since the Turks did not easily give up on the border part of their territory from which they could harvest taxes and supply their army as well as break through towards the central part of the rebellious Serbia. During the whole period of uprising from 1804–1813, numerous and heavy battles against Turks were fought in Loznica and its vicinity. In 1813 the Serbs managed to drive the Turks across the river Drina, at which time the Turks reoccupied Loznica. In November 1833, Loznica and Jadar became part of the Principality of Serbia, during the rule of Miloš Obrenović, when Sultan Mahmud II ceded six seized regions to Serbia. This resulted in the abolition of Turkish ownership over the land and it was declared a free peasant state- which meant that the feudal system was revoked.

Jadar became part of the Podrinje region, while Loznica became the seat of the region, remaining in this role until the end of the 19th century, when the capital was moved to Šabac. During the thirties of the 19th century, Loznica had 295 houses with 1203 people and became the centre of the administrative and political power of Podrinje. The education system started to develop and a hospital was set up (1882), construction of industrial buildings started, craftsmen, trade and banking started to develop. Construction of the railway between Šabac, Loznica and Banja Koviljaca started by the beginning of the 20th century. The First Balkan War and First World War halted economic development and significantly reduced the number of people in Loznica and vicinity. Upon completion of the First World War, Loznica remained a regional centre with about 5000 people. There was a short period of reconstruction and economic development, followed by the Great Depression,which saw a decline in the prices of agricultural products. By the mid-1930s, craft and trade shops had been established, bringing some relief to the economy. Later, the antimony mines were acquired by German industrialists which further strengthened the economy. This growth was, however, brought to an abrupt halt at the beginning of World War Two.

Economics [edit]

Viskoza factory

The largest factory of Loznica was "HI Viskoza Loznica", founded in 1957 with over 10,000 employees (1981), at the time when the city had 18,000 inhabitants. Production of trailers was primarily in the factory "FAK Loznica", and textile production in "Moda" Loznica.

Italian manufacturer of stockings and women's underwear "Golden Lady" has a factory in Loznica, exporting to countries of the European Union. For now the factory employs 550 workers.

Culture [edit]

Statue of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić

Witnesses of the past are the church of the Virgin in Loznica, Tronoša convent, monastery Čokešina, monuments on Mount Gučevo, in Tekeriš, Draginac and Tršić the ethnic village. There is a national epic "Battle in Loznica. And the central figure of the First Serbian Uprising is Duke of Loznica Anta Bogicevic. His grave is located near church of Virgin. Loznica is the birthplace of Jovan Cvijić.

Vuk Stefanović Karadžić was born in Tršić near Loznica, educated in monastery Tronoša.

Most important cultural event for the community of Loznica is "Vukov Sabor" (Council of Vuk) in Tršić. Event is held every year in September, in memory of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić. "Vukov Sabor" is the oldest and largest cultural event in Serbia, for its importance and the increasing volume (20.000-30.000 visitors).

Sister city is Płock in Poland. Another sister city is Ivanic-Grad in Croatia. Every year, politicians and diplomats to visit Loznica Płock.

Sport [edit]

Loznica has its own football club called FK Loznica, they play on stadium "Lagator" as home ground.

Municipality [edit]

Municipality of Loznica includes the following settlements:

• 

  Museum in Loznica

• 

  Vukov Dom

• 

  Corso in Loznica

• 

  Church in Loznica

• 

  Creek Stira

• 

  Elementary school Anta Bogicevic

• 

  Bus station in Loznica

• 

  Statue of Duke Stepa Stepanovic

Climate [edit]

Demographics (2002 census) [edit]

This article is outdated. Please update this section to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2011)

Ethnic groups in the Loznica municipality:

• Serbs = 83,729
• Bosniaks = 555
• Roma = 428
• Yugoslavs = 210
• Montenegrins = 118
• others

Twin cities [edit]

• Płock, Poland

See also [edit]

• List of places in Serbia

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Loznica

Media related to Loznica at Wikimedia Commons

• Municipality of Loznica
• Internet portal Loznica

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Coordinates: 44°32′00″N 019°13′33″E / 44.53333°N 19.22583°E / 44.53333; 19.22583