Banjica

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Before the World War II, Banjica was a village in the outskirts of Belgrade, settled in the early nineteenth century by immigrants from Southeast Serbia that came after the Second Serbian Insurrection. Until the Second World War Banjica was a peaceful farming village with a relatively small population. Due to the numerous underground thermal mineral water, the village was named Banjica. Written records talk about over a thousand diverse sources of water in the territory of Banjica. During World War II, Nazi concentration camp was formed, known as Banjica camp. After the war comes the urbanization and construction of large apartment blocks and skyscrapers that totally changed Banjica. The construction of this large settlement, did not last long, but it still picked up numerous awards in the field of architecture. One of the buildings that once was the most modern, is the Military Medical Academy.

However, such a rapid construction has led to the depletion of natural sources of water after which the Banjica was known. Banjica was abounded by the fountains with clean drinking water, but in time, by the neglect and with the process of the urbanization, fountains were closed down and demolished. With expansion of the city, Banjica ceases to be suburban village, and became one of the estates in the city. Practically nothing was left from the old houses. Today, Banjica is a residential area on the southern part of the city. Some of the most significant buildings in this part of the city are the Military-Medical Academy and the Sport Center Banjica, which is one of the most important sports centers, not only Belgrade but in the entire Republic of Serbia.