Aranđelovac

Aranđelovac (, ) is a town and a municipality located in the Šumadija District of central Serbia. as of 2011, the municipality has a population of 46,225 inhabitants, while the town has 24,797 inhabitants. It is situated beneath the mountains Bukulja and Venčac, at about above sea level, away from Belgrade. The municipality encompasses two towns and 18 village communities. Also, Bukovička Banja spa is located in the town.

Most of the town territory used to belong to the village of Vrbica, today its suburb. Since prince 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. By the prince's decree, the growing community surrounding the church was proclaimed the town of Aranđelovac ("The town of Archangel (Angel)") in 1859, occupying major parts of territories of villages Vrbica and Bukovik. By the same decree, the prince ordered establishment of the spa of Bukovička Banja.

The remains from the Roman period were discovered on the Mali Venčac peak. They included ceramics, glass cups and dishes, jugs, jewelry (earrings, ornamental pearls, fibulas), cloths (belts, buckles) and coins. As the area is made of limestone, artifacts corroded significantly, except for the glass remains which are exceptionally preserved. The jewelry is made of copper and silver.

Aranđelovac has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa) that is very close to an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb).

According to the 2011 census results, the municipality of Aranđelovac has a population of 46,225 inhabitants.

Aranđelovac is well known for the springs of remedial sparkling mineral water. Dositej Obradović, author, educator and a leader of the Serbian Enlightenment movement, brought the springs to the public spotlight by frequenting the spa in the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1809 he wrote that "he sleeps good when he drinks the Bukovik mineral water". Folklorist Vuk Stefanović Karadžić mentioned two sources of "sour (or acid) water" (which is a Serbian name for carbonated mineral water) in Serbia: "one sour at Asan paša Palanka" and one "sour again, in Bukovik".

In 1907 the Pavilion of Prince Miloš was built atop one of the oldest discovered springs. The pavilion was projected by architect Branko Tanazević and was one of the first buildings in Serbia made with reinforced concrete. It was built in the Vienna Secession style and consisted of three sections. The mineral water spring was in the central part, bottling facility was in the northern wing, while there was a pastry shop in the southern wing. The southern wing was originally a veranda with a colonnade. Later, it was walled in order to enlarge the indoors of the building, and to mimic the opposing, northern wing. is located adjacent to the park. In addition to accommodation for its guests, the hotel offers congress, spa and wellness services.

The Aranđelovac municipality area also bears historical importance. First Serbian Uprising against the Turks in 1804 started in the village of Orašac ( from the town). A complex in Marićevića Jaruga in Orašac memorizes the location where the rebellion started. February 15, the day of uprising, is celebrated as the day the modern Serbian state is founded. away from Aranđelovac is the accumulation Lake Garaši, Aranđelovac’s supply of water. The lake encompasses , its deepest point is at , it is rich in fish and it is the town’s anglers' favourite fishing location. Aranđelovac Museum has a permanent exhibition of various items from the Neolith Risovačka Cave, which is located at the very entrance of the town.