In Serbian, the town is known as Golubac (Голубац), derived from golub ("pigeon" or "dove") and is therefore often translated as "the town of doves." Other names: Romanian: Golubăț (also known as Golumbacu Mare or Columbacu), Hungarian: Galambóc, German: Taubenberg and Turkish: Güvercinlik meaning "dovecote."
Historically, it was known as Columbria in Latin, a contraction of (castrum) Columbaria meaning "city of pigeons" (Latin: Columba, Greek: kòlymbos), and as a city derived from Cuppae during pre-Roman times.
History
It was a stronghold called Cuppae during Roman and Early Byzantine times (1-6th century) and turned into a city (Columbria) in 554/5 AD.[3]
Archeological sites include the remnants of one of RomanEmperorTrajan's tables near Trajan's Bridge, found along his road through the Danube's Iron Gates; and the Roman fortress Diana. Golubac fortress, 4 km downstream, is from the 14th century and also of interest.
Charles I of Hungary conquered the castle in 1334. Lazar of Serbia besieged it and acquired it, possibly in 1382. The Turks occupied it for the first time following the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, lost it to the Hungarian captain Péter Perényi in 1391, then recaptured it later the same year. King Sigismund of Hungary took over the fortress in 1392. When Lazar's son Stefan Lazarević became a Hungarian vassal in 1403–04, he received large possessions from King Sigismund, including the important fortresses of Belgrade and Golubac. A contract between King Sigismund and Stefan in 1426 stipulated that the king was to receive Golubac back on Stefan's death, but its Serbian captain, Jeremija, sold it to the Turks for twelve thousand golden coins. Sigismund besieged the fortress in spring 1428 in response, but the siege was a failure, and the King himself was almost killed by the advancing troops of the Ottoman sultan Murad II. The Polish knight Zawisza Czarny was captured and executed by the Turks. Golubac remained in Ottoman hands until the Peace of Szeged in 1444, when it was ceded to the Serbian despot Đurađ Branković. In 1458, it was reclaimed by the Turks. King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary tried to recapture it, but the siege was interrupted by Hungarian internal conflicts. When Matthias finally succeeded in taking over the fortress in 1481, he evacuated it soon thereafter. It remained under Ottoman rule until the 19th century, with few interruptions (notably, HabsburgAustrian rule in 1688–1690). By the 18th century, the civilian settlement associated with the fortress was described as a prosperous town.
Modern Serbia definitively acquired Golubac from the Ottoman Empire in 1868. From 1929 to 1941, Golubac was part of the Morava Banovina of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census results, the municipality of Golubac has a population of 8,331 inhabitants.
The following table gives a preview of total number of employed people per their core activity (as of 2017):[6]
Activity
Total
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
47
Mining
45
Processing industry
183
Distribution of power, gas and water
1
Distribution of water and water waste management
36
Construction
39
Wholesale and retail, repair
182
Traffic, storage and communication
30
Hotels and restaurants
90
Media and telecommunications
3
Finance and insurance
5
Property stock and charter
-
Professional, scientific, innovative and technical activities
38
Administrative and other services
39
Administration and social assurance
114
Education
116
Healthcare and social work
70
Art, leisure and recreation
25
Other services
30
Total
1,091
Tourism
The Iron Gate national park is noted for its natural environment and its hunting grounds, as well as its hiking trails.[citation needed] The village's quay along the Danube river is popular for more relaxed hiking.[citation needed]
Sailing
Golubac has become a well-known sailing site.[citation needed] The Sailing Center of the Sailing Association of Serbia, which the Serbian National Team uses for ground preparations before major sailing events, is located in Golubac. One of the events is a sailing Regatta, which is traditionally held in August. During the summer, the Center holds an Optimist Class sailing camp, where beginners can learn from the best Serbian sailors and their international guests.[citation needed]
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