The Bridge in Sremska Rača: A Symbol of Salvation for Serbian Refugees
The iron bridge over the Sava River in Rača, which has connected Srem and Semberija for over 90 years, is a silent witness to Serbian refugee columns from Western Slavonia, who, in May 1995, identified its arches with beacons of freedom. Three months later, expelled Serbs from Lika, Dalmatia, Krajina, Banija, and Kordun also crossed the same bridge into Serbia.
TL;DR
- The iron bridge in Rača, built over 90 years ago, connects Srem and Semberija.
- It served as a crossing point for Serbian refugees from Western Slavonia in May 1995 and for those expelled from Lika, Dalmatia, Krajina, Banija, and Kordun later that year.
- A memorial plaque was unveiled on August 4, 2020, by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and then-Bosnian Serb member of the Presidency Milorad Dodik, commemorating the refugees and the bridge's role as a symbol of freedom and salvation.
- The bridge, constructed between 1931 and 1934, is 400 meters long and seven meters wide, with two stone block pillars.
- It was named after Queen Marija and its opening ceremony was a significant event, attended by thousands.
- The bridge was built by the domestic firm 'Јelšingrad' under the supervision of engineer Miodrag Živković.
- The article includes anecdotes about the bridge's construction and local stories, such as Italian workers catching and eating frogs, and a daring escape by Vojin Čaruga.
- The bridge was damaged by Germans during World War II but was later restored.
- The bridge is mentioned in the song 'Od istorijskog Avnoja do izbegličkog konvoja, preko Sremske Rače…' by the rock group 'Zabranjeno pušenje'.