Description
The city of Niš is the largest city in southeastern Serbia and the third city in terms of population in the Republic of Serbia. It is the seat of the Nišava administrative district and one of the most important economic, cultural and educational centers in the country. Throughout history, due to its geostrategic position, Niš has played an important role in the Balkans and in this part of Europe.
75 years of the Historical Archive of Niš
One of the most important cultural institutions of the city of Niš is the Historical Archive of Niš. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Historical Archive of Niš, an institution that takes care of archival materials in the territory of the city of Niš and the municipalities of Aleksinac, Gadžin Han, Doljevac, Merošina, Ražanj, Svrljig and Sokobanja. The historical archive of Niš was founded on 24 April, 1948. In its depots, in over 800 funds and collections, more than 4,000 long metres of archival material created in the period from 1737 to the present day are kept. The archive has been engaged in publishing since 1982. The archive has so far published 16 monographs and 23 issues of the journal “Peščanik” for historiography, archives and humanities. In addition to taking care of archival materials and publishing, the Historical Archive of Niš also organizes lectures, promotions and exhibitions.
The Historical Archive of Niš has been awarded several times as a cultural institution, and a special place is the Golden Archive award from 2008, awarded by the Aleksandar Arnautović Foundation.
Motif on the stamp and vignette: Building of the Historical Archives of Niš
Motifs on the first day cover: Copper print – the oldest document in the Archive that describes how the Ottomans surrendered the city to the Austrians in 1737 and the Law on State Archives adopted at the session of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Serbia in Niš in 1898.
300 years of the Niš Fortress
The most important building that Niš has is the fortress, whose cultural, historical and touristic importance is priceless. In 2023, the city of Niš will celebrate three centuries since the construction of the Niš Fortress. Located on the right bank of the Nišava River, it is a witness to the turbulent times of the first half of the 18th century. The construction was started by the Ottomans in 1719, and it was completed in 1723, when a plaque with an inscription was placed that adorns its main gate, Stambol Gate. The fortress, which covers 22 hectares, has a polygonal base with eight bastion terraces and four large gates. Within the fortress complex there are prehistoric, ancient and medieval settlements, important archaeological sites and monuments. Today, the Niš Fortress is a cultural monument of exceptional importance, where generations of Niš residents acquire basic knowledge from the stormy history of their city. During summertime, one of Niš residents’ favorite promenades and one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions turns into an important cultural centre where significant events such as Film Encounters and the “Nišville” International Jazz Festival take place.
Motif on the stamp, vignette and the first day cover: Istanbul Gate and view of the Niš Fortress
Expert collaboration: Historical Archive of Niš
Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić
