Rakovica | Belgrade Neighborhoods Names

Nestled in the valley of the Topčider River, between Čukarica and Voždovac, and barely touching the municipality of Savski Venac in Topčider Park, Rakovica is one of the smaller Belgrade municipalities, covering an area of approximately 30 square kilometers.

It's interesting to note that within the territory of the City of Belgrade, there are two settlements named Rakovica – the central settlement of this municipality and a homonymous suburban village that belongs to Voždovac. Besides the name, these settlements are also connected by the Rakovički Creek, which used to have a considerably greater amount of water but is now almost dried up, flowing into the Topčider River.

It is believed that the name of the creek, as well as the village and the Rakovica Monastery, derives from the numerous river crayfish that used to inhabit this area naturally. However, despite having a similar etymological meaning, the name of the urban settlement of Rakovica actually has a different origin. In the late 19th century, when the first railway passed through the Topčider River valley, the local railway station was officially named Rakovica, and the surrounding area gradually urbanized throughout the 20th century, eventually adopting the name of the entire municipality.

Like all other Belgrade municipalities, Rakovica consists of several distinct neighborhoods and quarters, whose names are familiar to almost everyone, but whose origins are known to few.

Kanarevo Hill

The northernmost settlement of the Rakovica municipality is called Kanarevo Hill, informally bounded by the streets of Patrijarha Dimitrija, Pere Velimirovića, Vareška, and Borska. Situated in the valley of the former Kaljavi Creek, between Kanarevo Hill, Banjica, Dedinje, and Košutnjak, this neighborhood is surrounded by greenery. During the period between the two World Wars, it was envisioned as a so-called garden city, with houses and yards along today's Pere Velimirovića Street. The owner of the estate where this attractive settlement was supposed to emerge was a certain Đorđe Kanar, after whom the nearby hill and later the settlement were named.

Miljakovac

One of the most beautiful and greenest neighborhoods in Belgrade, located south of Kanarevo Hill, bears the name Miljakovac after the Miljakovac Springs, which in the past were several springs known for providing the purest water in Belgrade. Over time, the springs were captured and channeled into pipes, and their water now flows through a fountain located on the outskirts of Miljakovac Forest, one of the significant green areas in present-day Belgrade. According to belief, the term "Miljakovac" derives from the description of the springs - "mile" waters with which the people of Belgrade used to wash their faces a century ago. Today, the settlement of Miljakovac is divided into three parts and is among the most attractive quarters of Rakovica.

Vidikovac

Located at the top of the left valley side of the Topčider River, between Cerak Vinogradi and Swan Hill, right on the border with the Čukarica municipality, Vidikovac emerged in the mid-1970s as one of the most populous Rakovica neighborhoods. Situated at an altitude of almost 200 meters, with its distinctive high-rise buildings, Vidikovac represents an extended part of the city that offers a wide view of a large portion of Belgrade. Hence its logical name, which translates to "viewpoint" in English.

Skojevsko Naselje

Northeast of Vidikovac, also along the border with Čukarica, and between the streets of Kneza Višeslava and Luke Vojvodića, including a part of Košutnjak (Pioneer City), you'll find Skojevsko Naselje. There is no great mystery behind the name of this neighborhood, as it derives from the acronym SKOJ (League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia). In the past, the current Godominska Street was named Skojevska, and the entire settlement was named after it. Although the street has been renamed for a long time, the name of the neighborhood persists, serving as a reminder of bygone times.

Kneževac

On the land of the former village of Humska, which appears in Ottoman censuses as early as the 16th century, lies the urbanized city settlement of Kneževac today. It occupies the lower parts of the Vidikovac slope on the left valley side of the Topčider River, between Rakovica, Vidikovac, and Kijevo. There are no reliable records regarding the origin of the name of this settlement, but it's easy to notice that it is based on the term "knez" (prince), suggesting that a local Serbian prince probably lived in this area. As the entire region in the Topčider River valley began to develop in the late 19th century, it is not excluded that it may be related to one of the princes from the Obrenović dynasty.

Kijevo

Between Kneževac and Petlovo Brdo, Belgrade Bypass, and Straževica Hill, there is a settlement with an unusual name - Kijevo. Once a well-known outing spot for older Belgraders, characterized by a small lake formed by damming the Kijevski Creek, it is now only partially urbanized and faces many infrastructure issues due to industrialization. Until the 1960s, it was considered part of Kneževac before becoming a separate local community. Unfortunately, there are no reliable records about the origin of the name Kijevo (if you have reliable information about the name of the settlement, contact the website's editorial team).

Resnik

The southernmost settlement of the Rakovica municipality, overlooking the Belgrade Bypass, bears the name Resnik after the medicinal plant "resnik" (also known as "konopljuša" or "konopljika"), which seems to have been widespread in this area in the past. Interestingly, there are several other settlements with the same name in Serbia, thanks to the prevalence of this medicinal herb. Located on the hill of the same name, Resnik was once a suburban village but has become mostly urbanized with the expansion of Belgrade. Today, it represents the southernmost part of urban Belgrade. In the central area of the settlement, bordered by Podavalska and Edvard Grig Streets, there is a small neighborhood called Avala Grad, characterized by planned residential buildings. Resnik is also home to the attractive artificial lake with an interesting name, Pariguz, which offers a beautiful view of Avala.

Sunny Hill

Between Kijevo, Resnik, and Miljakovac 3, there is a peaceful settlement with an attractive name, but truth be told, not so appealing for living due to significant communal and infrastructure deficiencies. Like most peripheral Belgrade neighborhoods, it emerged during the 1990s through spontaneous migration and the construction of houses on an elevation that, due to its southwest exposure, enjoys abundant sunshine, hence the name Sunny Hill.

Swan Hill

Bordered by Gočka Street, Serdar Janka Vukotića Street, and 11th Krajiška Divizija Street, with the 15th Belgrade Gymnasium (Gymnasium "Patriarch Pavle") at its center, the neighborhood is called Swan Hill. It is a newer settlement, planned in the 1960s, and is characterized by symmetrical blocks of colorful high-rise buildings. It carries the name of the graceful bird, although it remains a subject of speculation as to why since it is highly unlikely that swans ever inhabited this area near the Ibar Highway and relatively far from the river. According to some interpretations, the mentioned high-rise buildings from a distance resemble swans, but this is largely a subjective interpretation that also requires a considerable level of imagination. It seems that only the designers of this neighborhood could unravel this mystery.

Rooster Hill

South of Swan Hill, informally bordered by the Ibar Highway, Oplenačka Street, and Kružni Put Kijevo, lies Rooster Hill. The neighborhood gained fame through the famous TV series "Policeman from Rooster Hill" (which, paradoxically, was not filmed here at all) and is characterized by the so-called "blue high-rise buildings." Without a doubt, the name is derived from the rooster. However, the specific rooster and the reason why this part of Belgrade carries its name are unknown. Oral traditions tell stories that before the construction of the modern neighborhood, there was an unusually large rooster that symbolized the entire area.

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