Čitluk (Kruševac)

Introduction

Čitluk (Serbian Читлук, pronunciation: chitluk): A settlement in Serbia near the city of Kruševac. It is often referred to as a village, since agriculture is still widespread, but the official status of the settlement is that it is a suburbual area. It was founded in the 18th century by immigrants from cities in southern Serbia such as Vranje and Leskovac. In 2002 it had around 3154 inhabitants in 873 households. It got its name after the Turkish word "chiftluk" which meant an inheritable spachian (Turkish landowner) settlement. There are several other settlements in Serbia, as well as Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that bear this name.

Geography

The settlement is situated 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of Kruševac. In this settlement, the river Pepeljuša flows into the Zapadna Morava (West Morava). Near these rivers, there is much fertile soil, used for agricultural production.

Occupations

Most families have agricultural holds, such as fields of corn, wheat, potato, pepper, and other edible plants. As for domestic animals, pigs and poultry are the most spread. Practically no resident lives on agriculture, but also has a job in the nearby city, Kruševac.

Culture and education

The settlement's patron saint is Saint George, after which the church in the settlement is named. It was built in the late 20th century. There is also a spring of mineral water, decorated into a recreation resort, with a football playground for local trainings and tournaments. The settlement has only an elementary (grammar) school - "Sveti Sava" (Saint Sava) where the children from Čitluk go, and are joined by children from surrounding smaller villages such as Koševi, Vučak, Mačkovac and, in a smaller number Pepeljevac. The best known cultural manifestation is the "Dani konopljare" (Days of the Hem Field) held on the holiday of Sveta Trojica (The Holy Trinity), which falls on the 50th day after the Orthodox Easter.