Aranđelovac

Aranđelovac
Aranđelovac; Аранђеловац
	— Municipality and Town —
	Staro Zdanje Hotel
	; Coat of arms
	; Coat of arms
	Location of the municipality of Aranđelovac within Serbia
	Coordinates: 44°19′N 20°34′E / 44.317°N 20.567°E
Country	Serbia
District	Šumadija
Settlements	19
	Government
• Mayor	Vlada Gajić (DS)
	Area
• Municipality	376 km2 (145 sq mi)
	Population (2011 census)
• Town	24,580
• Municipality	46,079
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	34300
Area code	+381 34
Car plates	AR

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Aranđelovac (Serbian: Аранђеловац, [ǎraːnd͡ʑɛlɔv̞at͡s]) is a town and a municipality in Serbia at 44.31° North, 20.57° East. It lies beneath the mountains Bukulja and Venčac, at about 255 m above sea level, 76 km away from Belgrade. The municipality encompasses two town and 18 village communities. Bukovička Banja Spa is located in the town. The town is situated in the Šumadijski okrug (Šumadija region) with the administrative center in Kragujevac. According to the most recent, 2011 census, there are 24,580 inhabitants in the town itself, while the whole municipality has a total of 46,079 inhabitants.

[edit] Etymology

Most of the today's town territory used to belong to the village of Vrbica, today its suburb. Since duke Miloš Obrenović often resided in the Bukovička Banja, he decided to build a church in Vrbica in 1858 (one of his "repentance churches"), and dedicated it to St. Archangel Gabriel. The growing community surrounding the church was then proclaimed the town of Aranđelovac ("The town of Archangel") by the power of duke's decree occupying major parts of territories of villages Vrbica and Bukovik.

[edit] Tourism

The park of Bukovička Banja Spa in Aranđelovac.

Aranđelovac is mostly well known for the springs of remedial mineral water, which was of great help to Dositej Obradović, a leader of the Serbian Enlightenment movement, in 1811. By the personal request of Duke Miloš Obrenović, this Bukovik water was transported and used in his court. Hand-bottling of the mineral water for commercial use began at the beginning of the 20th century, and through the decades to come it received the highest international grades for quality. Also, the beautiful park of Bukovička Banja Spa shares the popularity with Aranđelovac mineral water. It encompasses the area of 21.5 ha with the permanent exhibition of marble figures of the most eminent domestic (ex-Yugoslavian) and foreign authors, a product of the 30-year tradition of the festival Mermer i zvuci. All the events take place in the summer open scene in the park, or in the Sala kneževa, in the Staro zdanje hotel. This 150 year old hotel is situated in the park itself, and its original purpose was the summer residence for the Obrenović dynasty. The pavilion of Duke Miloš and several mineral water springs are also situated in the park. The mineral water is used in the Spa together with clay from the local area in curing diseases of gastrointestinal and hepatolibiar organs, respiratory diseases, and locomotor organs. The flag-bearer of the tourism in the town, the luxurious hotel and spa resort Izvor is located adjacent to the park. In addition to accommodation for its guests, the hotel offers congress, SPA & wellness services.

The Aranđelovac municipality area is also historically important, since its village of Orašac (6 km (3.73 mi) from the town) is the starting point of the First Serbian Uprising against the Turks in 1804. A memorial complex in Marićevića jaruga in Orašac is visited every year by the high government officials of Serbia, since the date when the rebellion started, February 15, is celebrated as the day the modern Serbian state is founded, and Karađorđe Petrović was chosen the leader of the uprising, and later, the country. Near the town is the Monastery of St. Archangel Michael in Brezovac.

10 km (6.21 mi) away from Aranđelovac is the accumulation Lake Garaši, Aranđelovac’s supply of water. The lake encompasses 65 ha, its deepest point is at 22 m, it has fish and it is the town’s favorite holiday place. Aranđelovac Museum has a permanent exhibition of various items from the Neolith Risovačka Cave, which is located at the very entrance of the town.

[edit] Economy

The city view from Bukulja mountain

The most well-known company of Aranđelovac is Knjaz Miloš AD, which produces the widely popular mineral water, as well as juices and energy drinks. Holding company Šamot produces high temperature materials and exploits some ores, and Elektroporcelan produces electrical insulation ceramics and other insulators. Marble is exploited by Venčac company, and privately owned company Peštan is specialised in PVC pipes and other products. AD Kubršnica is the well known brick and building material factory. Also, there are several smaller and less known companies that employ a large number of townspeople, such as hotels Staro zdanje, Šumadija, and Izvor, and many cafés, bars and restaurants throughout the town.