GRADAC IN THE RIBARSKA GORGE

The Enigma of the Homolje Region

Gradac Fortress lies east of Krepoljin on a prominent hill in the central part of Ribarska Gorge, where the Mlava River makes a sharp bend, carving its path around the rugged cliffs of Đula. Its strategic importance was determined by its ideal position for controlling the road that passed through the Mlava Valley, leading to the ore-rich regions of Eastern Serbia. The fortress’s irregular layout was shaped by the terrain, with its design conforming to the cliffs that naturally protected it on three sides.

ABOVE: Map of the site

Остаци одбрамбеног зида средњовековне тврђаве Градац у Рибарској клисури

ABOVE: The scarce remnants of the fortress are situated at the end of a steep and inaccessible ridge

Based on the limited available data, it is believed that the fortification was utilised intermittently from the early Byzantine period through the late mediaeval era. This hypothesis is supported by local legends preserved by the inhabitants of a nearby village, which recount the presence of ancient Romans on the ridge above the Mlava River. The visible remains on the site today suggest that the fortress was likely constructed during the Middle Ages, most probably in the late 13^th or early 14^th century. Importantly, the site has a much longer history of human occupation, dating back to prehistoric times. Specifically, the discovery of Bronze Age axes, documented by archaeology professor Mihailo Valtrović in the late 19^th century, confirms settlement activity during this earlier period.

Укљештени меандри реке Млаве у Рибарској клисури

ABOVE LEFT: Gradac is perched on a hardly accessible ridge in the heart of Ribarska Gorge

ABOVE RIGHT: The meandering curves of the Mlava River below the fortress

The fortified settlement of Gradac stands on a hardly accessible, rocky ridge, steeply rising above the Mlava River, at an altitude of approximately 330 meters. Its location was carefully chosen for strategic purposes, allowing control over potential enemy intrusions from the direction of the Krepoljin Basin and Ribarska Gorge. The southwest approach was the most accessible. Today, dense vegetation obscures much of the stone ramparts, which are about one meter thick, and the surrounding structures. The archaeological evidence suggests there may have been a suburbium. The defensive wall can be traced for at least 40 meters, with sections preserved to a height of over 4 meters. It is built from medium-sized crushed stone bound with lime mortar. Within the fortified area, the remains of three secular buildings are still visible.

Пут испод утврђења Градац у Рибарској клисури који води до реке

Литица на којој је саграђена тврђава Градац у Рибарској клисури

Above: LEFT: A road leading to the Mlava River. RIGHT: The cliff of Gradac Fortress

The archaeological survey encompassed only a modestly sized church, preserved to a height of one meter and situated on a protruding cliff in the northeastern part of the site. Based on the findings from these excavations, the church has been dated to the 10^th century. The church comprised a single-nave layout with a semicircular apse to the east and a vestibule to the west. Traces of frescoes have been preserved on its walls. Within the vestibule and adjacent to the main entrance, two brick tombs were discovered, likely containing the remains of the church’s founders. The church was constructed directly on the rock, with visible evidence of an earlier structure. Unfortunately, prior to the excavation, the church had been extensively looted and damaged by illegal treasure hunters.