The name comes from the Serbian word svila (silk); the city owes its fortune to sericulture, which was highly developed until the mid-20th century, and its position at the crossroads of the Balkan routes, nicknamed "the imperial road," on the banks of the Resava River (which flows 8 km further into the Velika Morava). The town is first mentioned in a Turkish document from 1467; it is most often associated with the name of Stevan Sinđelić, a legendary hero of the first Serbian uprising against the Ottomans in 1804. With the autonomy of the Principality of Serbia and the coming to power of Prince Miloš Obrenović, Svilajnac really flourished in all areas, politically, economically and culturally. But it was Miroslav Zdravković, one of the first students of the Belgrade High School in 1808, who contributed the most to the development of the town, whose population kept changing due to the various battles that took place in this strategically important area. The Balkan War and the First World War put an end to the city's development.During the 19th century, schools and churches were built, and in 1825 a court of justice was established, a hospital in 1831, and a post office in 1862. The town of Svilajnac was officially established by the decree of Prince Mihail in 1866. Agriculture, at that time, provided a living for 56.5% of the population; crafts, trade and other professions shared the rest. The first provincial newspaper in Serbia, The Postman of Resava, was published here in 1871 by a priest, Professor Jovan Šarić. The first pharmacy was opened in 1875. The first financial institution, Resavska štedionica, was founded in 1885 and later played a key role in granting credits. The large power plant was put into operation in 1925. From its architectural past, the town of Svilajnac retains the Kriva čaršija, the square of the national hero Lazar Stojanović, and the complex formed by the agricultural and veterinary school. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was built in 1827. Its residential areas give Svilajnac a modern look, but there are still many old houses that give the town a little more charm. Numerous parks, connected to each other up to the Resava river, contribute to its pleasantness. Svilajnac has always been a town dedicated to trade and crafts and retains this role today. Korzo", a pedestrian street, is the heart of the town, together with the shopping centers Evropa, Korzo and Pasage. Bars with busy terraces contribute to the liveliness of the surroundings. There are also two monuments, one dedicated to Stevan Sinđelić, the other to Mary of Resava (whose statue symbolizes freedom with a torch in hand), erected in 1926 in honor of the victims of World War I.

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