GRAVES OF SERBIAN SOLDIERS NOT FORGOTTEN

11.11.2009.

Palilula Municipality started re-adaptation and reconstruction of Old military cemetery. Keeping from oblivion this place of burial of our but also allied soldiers from Liberation wars.

Within Palilula Municipal action `Reconstruction of green surfaces in residential parts` at Municipal territory` PhD Igor Novakovic president of Palilula Municipality and Milan Djurdjevic, president of Palilula Municipal Assembly visited `Old military cemetery` in Delijski Vis. It was estimated during this visit that this area is now surrounded with many residential buildings and houses and is under the state protection, but is very much deserted. On each step one can find the remains of buried soldiers. After the idea of Palilula authorities `Old military cemetery` will be reconstructed area into park type of surface and together with reconstruction of sport terrains will make one memorial complex. `Our ancestors, buried here giving their lives for country liberation and our city from the occupiers, deserve much more than this. We want to remind ourselves on our heroes – soldiers from liberation wars and to pay tribute in the spirit of our tradition` – emphasized Novakovic. `With this action called `Reconstruction of green surfaces in residential parts` and following the guidelines of `Clean up Serbia-Clean the World` we wanted to contribute to surrounding in our municipal settled parts` – emphasized Novakovic.

`Old military cemetery` spreads to 5 hectares in the bottom of Delijski Vis. When Nis become the center of military High command during Balkan wars in 1912, at the place the burial of killed soldiers at front started, both Serbs and other soldiers from other military formations. This space has been from 1919 adapted for burial of soldiers and military personnel. Big metal fence and a gate were then also built. Unfortunately, there are no exact facts about the names of the killed soldiers, but it is estimated that at this location, in the period from 1912-1920, about 2500 killed soldiers were buried. In the period between two world wars and during the WW2 this cemetery was also used for funerals. This cemetery was put under the state protection in 1989, after damaging this space and building of new residential blocks. There is also in this area `Military cemetery of British Commonwealth`. Nine British soldiers died in Military hospital in Nis in 1915. They were all from Royal military army. In the middle part of the cemetery, that spreads at 300 square meters, fenced by stone fence, a monument in the form of cross and 41 memorial tombstones are placed. The project manager of this cemetery is Robert Lorimer, an architect. Only because of foreign donations this space is more or less taken care so far.