WORKS ON THE WESTERN GATE OF THE OLD CEMETERY
6.04.2011
After completion of the east gate of Old cemetery “Gorica” City Municipality of Palilula continues with activities on reconstruction of the West gate, and on this occasion location on the old cemetery visit Mayor of the Nis Mr. Milos Simonovic and President of the City Municipality of Palilula, Prof. Dr Igor Novakovic, with associations. Reconstruction of West gate has special historical value. Gate which is set on west side of Old cemetery was transferred from the place where once was People`s Bank and now in that space is City Hall. Therefore, it except historical has and exceptional art value – explained President of the Municipality of Palilula, Professor Dr Igor Novakovic. We will gate parts, of wrought iron try to save and restore, and that the parts on which the restoration it is not possible, create a new fence. Concrete poles will be completely destroyed and created new one – said Novakovic. It is expected that this works ends until end of this year.

Value of this phase of the project, that the full amount is financed from the budget of the city is about 13.100.000 RSD. Reconstruction of entire complex began as early as 2009th by the project of Palilula Municipality, approved by the Administration of Economy, Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. Then was completed works on the fence and the east gate of the cemetery. Assembly of Palilula Municipality is by the end of 2010th adopted the act, which implies the initiative that Old cemetery be regulated as “memorial park”.  It took 40 years from latest funeral here and there is legislation for that – said Novakovic and added that firs burials on the Old cemetery “Gorica” dating from 1813th, and cemetery exist and before that period.

“One of priorities in regulation of cultural – historical heritage of Nis is certainly regulation of Old cemetery. This year will except West gate, be ended and reconstruction of fence which is going to East gate. It determined and funds for regulation and reconstruction of public lightening in the complex of Old cemetery, because one part of lightening is in function and one it is not – said Mayor of Nis Mr. Milos Simonovic. He is on occasion of visit urged on our citizens who with their carelessness destroying this complex – not to do so. “I want to say that it is not possible to regulate Old cemetery and preserve this cultural – historical monument of our city without mutual support and cooperation of local government and citizens. Current layout of this cemetery is not a position anyone, let alone our citizens living near. I think it is an obligation that all together make a lot more, to keep environment and to prevent of unconscionable citizens, who disposed rubbish on the burial places of our ancestors. This is not the way to preserve memories on old people from Nis who are berried here – said Simonovic.

Simonovic added that is unacceptable to create illegal dumps on perimeter of Old cemetery and that he will ask from utility police and utility inspection of Municipality to severely punish anybody who on this way distorts the appearance of future “memorial park”.