Bor, Serbia

Name

The name is derived from meaning "pine".

Geography

The town is bordered by the Kriveljska River, and in its vicinity lies a reservoir, Bor Lake.

Climate

Bor has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb) with warm summers, cold winters and uniformly distributed precipitation throughout the year

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Flora and fauna

The Lazar's Canyon is home to several rare plants – Crimean pine, relic species of Taxus and Serbian ramonda, and animals like Chamois, Golden eagles, and Peregrine falcons.

History

In 1835, Miloš Obrenović invited J.G. Herder offspring August to the Bor region to carry out geological investigations.

Đorđe Vajfert invested in exploration and sought foreign capital to initiate industrial exploitation. Managing to obtain support for this endeavour, he signed a contract with Mirabaud, and his Compagnie française des mines de Bor was established on 30 September 1903 in Paris.

On 27 March 1941, Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia. Führer’s directive No. 25 mentioned that possession of the Bor copper mines were very important, which covered 50 percent of the copper requirement of Nazi Germany's war industry until 1944. Since 1941 to 1944, Hungarian forced laborers of Jewish origin were gradually deported to this area, at least 6,000 Hungarians were used as Kapos. In May 1943, the total number of inmates (excluding Kapos) came to about 23,000 forced laborers from Serbia.

On 3 September 1944, a column of about 3,000 Kapos left the camp under supreme command of Horthy task forces and marched over a pontoon bridge between Smederovo and Požarevac to Baja via Pančevo. Hungarian forces were supported by regional paramilitary operation echelon Deutsche Mannschaft including Banater Staatswache unit.

On 16 September, a second column of 3,000 Kapos left the camp under supreme command of SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment Nr. 18 on the same route to Baja. In Pančevo, supreme command had been taken over by paramilitary operation echelon Deutsche Mannschaft and Volksdeutsche Ordnungspolizei. During both marches, exhausted prisoners were murdered by the roadside.

In Baja arrived, prisoners were either used to build the German South-east wall or transported by train to concentration camps such as Auschwitz.

Some Danube Swabian officials including family members also took the opportunity to escape by train from Baja. During both forced marches, there were several attacks carried out by Yugoslavian Partisans south of Danube river. Meanwhile, some prisoners took the opportunity to flee to the partisans and thus found life-saving protection. Notable Kapos from both death marches were people like Gyula Trebitsch, and Miklós Radnóti.

In 1947, Bor received urban status from the political authorities. At the time its population was 11,000.

In June 2018, Bor gained the status of a city, along with Prokuplje.

Settlements

Aside from the city proper area, the city includes the following settlements:

• Brestovac
• Bučje
• Gornjane
• Donja Bela Reka
• Zlot
• Krivelj
• Luka
• Metovnica
• Oštrelj
• Slatina
• Tanda
• Topla
• Šarbanovac

Demographics

|1863|15913|1900|22557|1931|28514|1948|34831 |1953|38688 |1961|43448 |1971|52849 |1981|56486 |1991|59900 |2002|55817 |2011|48615 |2022|40845

According to the 1910, 1931 and 1971 censuses, the inhabitants of the urban area of Bor numbered 2,613 in 1910, 4,749 in 1931 and 29,118 residents in 1971. According to the 2011 census, the population of Bor numbered 48,615 residents, while the urban area of Bor had 34,160 residents.

Ethnic groups

With a total of 32 different ethnic groups being represented among the population, Bor is one of the most ethnically mixed cities in Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the settlements in the city of Bor with a Serbian ethnic majority were: Bor, Brestovac, Donja Bela Reka, and Oštrelj. The settlements with an ethnic Vlachs majority were: Bučje, Gornjane, Krivelj, Luka, Metovnica, Tanda, Topla, and Šarbanovac. Ethnically mixed settlements were: Zlot (relative Serb majority) and Slatina (relative Vlachs majority).

The ethnic composition of the city:

Ethnic groups in Bor include also Bosniaks, Bulgarians, Gorani, Bunjevci, Yugoslavs, Montenegrins, Croatians, Slovenians, Hungarians, ethnic Muslims, Germans, Greeks, Slovaks, Russians, Rusyns, Chinese, Ukrainians, Italians, Turks, Ashkali, Czechs, Poles, Jews, Canadians, and Belarusians.

As the official number does not include foreign nationals, who are present in large numbers in Bor and its surroundings (especially the Chinese, who are estimated at 8,000-10,000), as well as workers from other countries (Turkey, India, Indonesia, African countries). Many people who work in Bor also immigrated from other parts of Serbia, but kept their residence in the place they came from, that are also not included in the official number.

Religion

Bor has a diverse religious landscape, with the majority of the population identifying as Orthodox Christian, but also including significant minorities of Muslims, Roman Catholics, Protestants, as well as Jews and other smaller religious groups. Other than Orthodox churches, in Bor there are a Roman Chatolic Church, the Mosque, Adventist Church.

File:Wiki.Zaleđe IV Crkva Sv. Georgija (Bor) 158.jpg|St. George Orthodox Church File:Манастир са звонаром.jpg|Novi Stjenik Monastery File:Wiki.Zaleđe IV Katolička crkva Svetog Ljudevita (Bor) 168.jpg|Saint Louis Catholic Church File:DzamijaBor.jpg|Mosque Madinah

Economy

Copper mining, mainly by the biggest employer Zijin Bor Copper, is the key basis of Bor's economy. On 31 August 2018, a Chinese mining company Zijin Mining took over 63% of the shares of the company RTB Bor, in a $1.26 billion deal with the Government of Serbia. A few Canadian companies operated in Bor, like Nevsun Resources, Dundee, Rakita and Avala resources, while the new smelter and sulfuric acid plant for RTB Bor were built by Canada's SNC Lavalin. Many companies from Canada, led to Canadians settling in the city and thus formed a new ethnic group in Bor. It is supposed that there are up to 10000 Chinese workers, as well those from Turkey, India, Indonesia, African countries etc. Apart from mining, some other companies that operate in Bor are Messer Tehnogas AD, Jinshan Construction, Drillex International, Sayin Construction, CCMC, Wolong ATB FOD, IT Center Bor, Metalka, Keramika Bor, Sandvik, Xella Sverige, Securitas, Epiroc etc. Bor is one of the wealthies cities in Serbia. In 2025, the average gross monthly wage in the city of Bor was US$1750 (€1500, 175687 RSD, 12455 CNY, 73200 Turkish liras) - as of July 2025.

The following table gives a preview of total number of registered people employed in legal entities per their core activity (as of 2023):

Education and science

Today there are five elementary schools in the city and three in the villages nearby:

1. Elementary school "Dušan Radović" (Bor)
2. Elementary school "3. Oktobar" (Bor)
3. Elementary school "Branko Radičević" (Bor)
4. Elementary school "Sveti Sava" (Bor)
5. Elementary school "Vuk Karadžić" (Bor)
6. Elementary school "Petar Radovanović" (Zlot)
7. Elementary school "Đura Jakšić" (Krivelj)
8. Elementary school "Stanoje Miljković" (Brestovac)
9. Elementary music school "Miodrag Vasiljević" (Bor)
10. Elementary and High School for special education "Vidovdan" (Bor)

Four public and one private High School:

1. Grammar school "Bora Stanković" (Bor)
2. Mechanical High School (Bor)
3. Technical High School (Bor)
4. Economic High School (Bor)
5. "Dositej" Academy - School of Medicine (Bor)

Bor has a faculty of University of Belgrade, which is the only faculty that belongs to the University of Belgrade but is outside of the Belgrade. The Technical Faculty of Bor is a faculty of the University of Belgrade, with a tradition dating back to 1961. The Faculty was accredited as a scientific-research organisation in the area of technical-technological science in 2007. So far, 1,804 students graduated from this faculty, in addition to 18 students that completed specialist studies, 122 master studies, and 70 students that defended doctoral theses.

1. Technical faculty of Bor, University of Belgrade
2. Technical and mechanical engineering college Trstenik (department)

Culture and society

Movies

Many films have been produced in Bor. Because of that, the city has the nickname "Boriwood". Serbian and international movies produced in Bor include Tears for Sale, Tilva Roš, White White World, Man Is Not a Bird, Winning of Freedom, On the Road to Katanga, Saga o tri nevina muškarca, Save Our Souls, Volja sinovljeva, and Vivegam.

Sports

Bor Sports Center () is an indoor sporting arena. The capacity of the arena is 3,000 people in the seating area, and 4,500 in the ground level area. The Bor Skate Plaza is the first and the biggest skate park in the Balkans. It is located next to the Karting circuit and Bor Sports Center. It is opened in 2012. Next to the Bor Skate Plaza is the Karting circuit that was built in the same year. Near to them is the stadium "4. kilometer" and Bor Hippodrome.

One of the most famous clubs in the city is FK Bor football club, which spent several seasons in Yugoslavia's top division, the Yugoslav First League, participating in the European Cup Winners Cup in the season of 1968/69, and played in the national Cup Finale in season 1967/1968 against Crvena Zvezda.

FK Bor is currently part of Bor District league, which is the Fifth tier league in Serbia, while another city club, FK Slatina Bor, is in Zone League East, the fourth-level football league in Serbia. In the season 2018–2019, three clubs from Bor will take part in the top level national league competitions. ZKK Bor will play in the First Women's Basketball League of Serbia, ZJRK Bor in Serbian First League of Handball for Women, while American football team Golden Bears Bor is in the top-level American Football League of Serbia.

Under the auspices of the Public Utility "Sportski Centar Bor" is the Bor Airport, with a paved runway, where traditional sport air show "Fly in" used to be held.

Bor has hosted 2013 EBSA European Under-21 Snooker Championship.

Tourism

The city of Bor has a number of tourist destinations:

Borsko jezero (Bor Lake) is a tourist attraction for domestic and foreign tourists, and it is less than 20 km away from the city center. It is popular in the summer, when the water temperature reaches 25 °C (77 °F) and it has two beaches. There is a bus line from the city center and back, during the summer.

Crni Vrh is a mountain 30 km from the city center. Highest peak has an elevation of 1,043 m (3,422 ft) above sea level. It has several ski tracks anda ski lift. The main ski track is 1,100 m long and has height span of 260 m. Just 16 km from the city center there is another mountain Stol. Its highest peak has an elevation of 1,156 meters above sea level. Like nearby Veliki Krš and Mali Krš, Stol has a number of pronounced karst formations. It is also a destination for mountaineering. It has a ski lift and ski trails. Mountain Rtanj in Boljevac municipality is 50 km away from Bor.

The Lazareva Pećina, which translates to Lazar's Cave, is the longest explored cave in Serbia. It is located 21 km from the city center. According to 2012's Recent Landform Evolution: The Carpatho-Balkan-Dinaric Region, the cave is 9407 m long. The cave is situated near the entrance of the deep canyon carved into the mountains by the river Zlotska. Bogovina cave is also near Bor, just about 30 km away.

Lazar's Canyon is located at about 10 kilometers from Bor. This is the deepest and longest canyon in eastern Serbia. Because of its steep rocky cliffs, the canyon has not yet been fully examined. Passing through canyon it is a real adventure, at times quite challenging and arduous. In many places it is necessary to clamber over the rocks.

Brestovac Spa is one of oldest spas in Serbia, located just 8 km from the city center. Health treatment are done with slightly sulphurous and oligomineral water with temperature of 20 to 41 °C. The Spa is for treatment and curing diseases and injuries to the muscles and bones. Especially relevant cured diseases are degenerative rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, swelling and pain. And also chronic joint diseases, muscle disorders lumbago – lower back pain. More gynecological diseases, upper respiratory mucous membrane inflammation, skin conditions, increased diuresis, low level of stomach acid, digestive tract diseases. Furthermore, kidney diseases and nerve diseases. Water is rich with potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, chlorine, iodine, sulfate and also carbonate. Ways of treatment are drinking and bathing.

The Residence of Prince Miloš (Serbian: Конак кнеза Милоша/Konak kneza Miloša) is a royal residence in the Brestovac Spa.

Bor zoo (Serbian: Борски зоолошки врт), is a zoo located in Bor, Serbia. It was founded in 2011, and it is one of four zoos in Serbia and is also considered to be one of the most attractive public zoos in southeastern Europe. The zoo covers an area of 2.5 hectares (6.17 acres) and holds about 140 animals representing more than 70 different wild and exotic species of animals as well as domestic and indigenous ones.

Park Museum is an "open museum" located from the city center, and through the main streets "Mose Pijade" and "Zeleni bulevar" with mining exhibits. It is possible to see them from a vehicle or from a sidewalk.

Paragliding is popular in this part of Serbia, and there are several locations used for this sport near Bor, such as mountains Crni Vrh and Stol.

File:Bor_Lake,_summer.jpg|Borsko jezero (Bor Lake) File:BBanjaHamam.jpg|Turkish Hammam File:BBanjaKnežecDvor.jpg|Prince Alexandar Castle File:Zicara_Crni_vrh.jpg|Crni Vrh File:Лазарев_кањон_2.jpg|Lazar's cave File:Kanjon_Lazarev.jpg|Lazar's Canyon File:Damper_Bor.jpg|Park Museum File:Crkva_Svetog_Đorđa_u_Boru.jpg|St. George Orthodox Church File:Konak_kneza_Miloša_u_Brestovačkoj_Banji_01.JPG|Brestovac Spa File:Zoo_Bor_entrance.jpg|ZOO Bor File:French_architecture.jpg|French architecture

Politics

Main article: 2022 Serbian local elections#Bor

In the municipality of Bor, there were 40,661 eligible citizens that were able to vote in the local election. The local City Election Commission stated that the turnout was 61.2%. The Serbian Progressive Party won 15 seats, while the coalition led by the People's Party won 6 seats. The Socialist Party of Serbia and Vlach Party "Bridge" both won four seats, while the coalition led by the Party of Freedom and Justice won three seats. The Dveri–POKS coalition, Fighters for Bor, and Loud for the Youth each won one seat.

Local media

;Newspapers:

• Timočke "Тимочке"
• Borski problem (Weekly magazine)
• Kolektiv "Лист Колектив"

;Social media and Internet media:

• Solaris media
• Ist media
• Bor Info
• Bor 030
• Medija centar

;Radio stations:

• Klik FM (99.5)
• Radio Antena (101.6)
• Radio Bor (103.1)

;TV stations:

• Radio television Bor

Notable people

• Vane Bor (1908–1993) surrealist artist.
• Aleksandar Miljković, footballer
• Đorđe Vajfert (1850–1937), first owner of mines and donator of Saint George's Church.
• Samu Borovszky (1860–1912), historian and editor-in-chief of works on the counties of the Kingdom of Hungary; his surname can be translated as The Boronnese (people from Bor).
• Tanja Ćirov (1981–), was a Bulgarian - Serbian female professional basketball player, former Bulgarian national team player.
• Nikola Ležaić (1981–), Serbian film director/screenwriter/film producer.
• Boriša Đorđević (1953–), Serbian retired football player, winner of European Cup with Hamburger SV in 1982–1983 season, Bundesliga champion two times, and Yugoslav champion with Hajduk Split. Former national team player of Yugoslavia.
• Ivan Gvozdenović (1978–), Serbian retired football defender who currently works as a manager.
• Branislav Mihajlović (1953–), member of the National Assembly of Serbia, and leader of "Enough is enough" association.
• Nikola Šainović (1948–), Prime Minister of Serbia from 1993 to 1994 and the minister of Energy and Mining of Serbia and the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia from 1991 to 1993.
• Bobana Veličković (1990–2020), Serbian female sport shooter, competed at Summer Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
• Teya Dora (1992-), the singer of "Džanum", a song that became very popular worldwide due to the social platform TikTok, was born in Bor.

Twin towns and sister cities

Bor is twinned with:

• MNE Bar, Montenegro
• FRA Le Creusot, France
• UKR Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine
• ZAM Kitwe, Zambia
• NMK Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia
• CHN Shanghang County, China
• ROM Vulcan, Romania
• BUL Vratsa, Bulgaria

References

Sources

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