Svrljig

Svrljig (Serbian Cyrillic: Сврљиг, [sʋř̩ʎiːɡ]) is a town and municipality located in the Nišava District of Serbia. According to 2011 census, the town has a population of 7,543 inhabitants, while the municipality has 14,224.

Geography

Svrljig is situated on the river Svrljiški Timok, 30 km east from Niš, the biggest city in south Serbia. Nearby villages include Crnoljevica and Prekonoga.

Settlements

Aside from the town of Svrljig, the municipality includes the following settlements:

History

In the Middle Ages Svrljig (Bulgarian: Свърлиг) and the surrounding region was part of the Bulgarian Empire. In 10-11th century it grew into a center of the southern Timok area. In 1279 the Svarlig Gospel was written there, it is the only source showing the real name of Emperor Ivailo. After the fall of Branicevo under the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1290s Svrljig became a border region. With the process of feudal disintegration of Bulgaria in the mid 14th century it was part of the Vidin Tsardom and was later conquered by the Ottoman Turks.