Kovačica (, ; ; ; ) is a town and municipality located in the South Banat District, Vojvodina, Serbia. According to the 2022 census, the town has a population of 5,398, while the municipality has 21,178 inhabitants. It is widely known for its naïve art that the local residents make without any form of art school.
Geography The town of Kovačica is located 27km from Pančevo and 43km from Belgrade.
History The town was founded in the 18th century, but there are records of small settlements dating from 1458. In the middle of the 18th century, this area was recorded as a wasteland. Settlement was founded in 1750 and was settled (in 1751–1752) by Serb soldiers from Potisje and Pomorišje, after military frontier in these regions was abolished. In 1767, Kovačica was included into German regiment of Banat Military Frontier.
First Slovaks came here from Ečka and Aradac (in 1783) and after them, Slovaks from Arvas, Trenčin and Bekeš county came here as well (in 1801). From the middle of the 19th century, Kovačica is a center of municipality and cultural and social center of Slovaks in Banat.Source: Stevan Kovačević, Gradovi Srbije u slici i reči, Beograd, 2010.
The Slovak Evangelical Church in Kovačica was built between 1824-1828. The altar was painted in 1838-1839 by Konstantin Danil.
Settlements Kovačica municipality includes the town of Kovačica and the following villages: Crepaja Debeljača () Idvor Padina Putnikovo Samoš Uzdin
Demographics
According to the 2022 census results, the municipality of Kovačica has 21,178 inhabitants.
Ethnic groups
Communities with Slovak majorities are: Kovačica () and Padina (). Communities with Serb majorities are: Crepaja, Idvor, Putnikovo and Samoš. There is one community with a Hungarian majority: Debeljača (), and one community with a Romanian majority: Uzdin ().
The ethnic composition of the municipality: Ethnic group Population ShareSlovaks8,67641%Serbs7,24934.2%Hungarians1,5977.5%Romanians1,2085.7%Roma7553.5%Others/Undeclared/Unknown1,6937.7%
Economy The following table gives a preview of total number of employed people per their core activity (as of 2017): Activity TotalAgriculture, forestry and fishing255Mining-Processing industry845Distribution of power, gas and water4Distribution of water and water waste management79Construction173Wholesale and retail, repair607Traffic, storage and communication 127Hotels and restaurants81Media and telecommunications36Finance and insurance36Property stock and charter-Professional, scientific, innovative and technical activities89Administrative and other services132Administration and social assurance209Education372Healthcare and social work 228Art, leisure and recreation57Other services54Total3,387
Naïve art
Kovačica is well known for the tradition of naïve art, originating from local Slovak painters. The Gallery of Naïve Art, founded in 1955, is a major tourist destination in the area. Its most notable representatives are Zuzana Chalupová, also known as Mama Zuzana, Martin Jonáš, Jan Knjazovic, Martin Paluška, Jan Sokol and Jan Venjarski. The gallery organizes various exhibitions and events, such as Kovačički oktobar (Kovačica October), and has a collection of over 800 paintings.
Kovačica's naïve painting is characterized by nostalgic, idyllic themes featuring life on the streets and in village yards, work in the fields of the golden Banat plain, and the ambience of country rooms with old carpets and objects. In December 2024, Kovačica's naïve art was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible cultural heritage.
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities Kovačica is twinned with: Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
See also Municipalities of Serbia South Banat District
References
External links
Art and Cultural Events In The Municipality of Kovačica