Kađenica
Kađenica, also known as the Smoke Cave, is a cave-church located in Dljin, Serbia. It gained notoriety in 1814 when Ottoman forces trapped and suffocated refugees inside by setting fires, leading to its grim name. The remains of those who perished were later recovered and interred within the cave's altar apse.
Key Facts
- ›A cave-church located near Čačak, Serbia.
- ›Served as a refuge during HadžI Prodan's revolt in 1814.
- ›Earned its name 'Smoke Cave' from the tragic incident where refugees were suffocated by fire.
- ›The remains of the victims were recovered and interred in the cave's altar apse in 1936.
- ›Features a representation of Jesus' Crucifixion above the sarcophagi.
- Altar Apse With Representation of Jesus' Crucifixion
- Two Stone Sarcophagi
Smoke Cave
- Refuge For People During HadžI Prodan's Revolt In 1814, Leading To A Massacre.
About Kađenica
Kađenica, also known by the evocative name "Smoke Cave," is a cave-church situated in the village of Dljin, near the city of Čačak in Serbia. Its location is on the right bank of the Zapadna Morava river, approximately one kilometer upstream from the spa town of Ovčar Banja.
Historical Tragedy
The cave's most significant historical event, and the one that lends it its somber name, occurred in 1814 during Hadži Prodan's revolt. At that time, people sought refuge within the natural shelter of Kađenica to escape the conflict. However, their hiding place was discovered by Ottoman forces. In a brutal act, the soldiers set straw and wood ablaze within the cave, intending to smoke out and capture the refugees. Tragically, this resulted in the suffocation of everyone trapped inside, an incident that profoundly marked the history of the cave and its surroundings.
Memorialization
Decades later, in 1936, the remains of those who perished in the 1814 tragedy were retrieved. They were found to be fully cremated by the fires. These remains were then respectfully interred in two stone sarcophagi. These sarcophagi were placed within the cave's church altar apse, a sacred space, where they remain to this day, beneath a representation of Jesus' Crucifixion, serving as a poignant memorial to the lives lost.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kađenica?
Kađenica, also known as the Smoke Cave, is a cave-church situated in the village of Dljin near Čačak, Serbia. It is located on the right bank of the Zapadna Morava river.
What is the historical significance of Kađenica?
The cave gained historical significance during Hadži Prodan's revolt in 1814. It served as a hiding place for people fleeing the conflict, but sadly, they were discovered and perished when Ottoman forces set fire to the cave.
How did Kađenica get its name?
The name 'Kađenica' (meaning 'smoked' or 'incense-like') originates from the tragic event in 1814. Ottoman soldiers used straw and wood to set fire to the cave, suffocating everyone inside, which filled the cave with smoke.
What happened to the remains found in Kađenica?
In 1936, the remains of the victims were retrieved from the cave. They were found to be fully cremated and were subsequently buried in two stone sarcophagi placed within the cave's church altar apse.
What can be seen inside the altar apse of Kađenica?
Inside the altar apse of Kađenica, there are two stone sarcophagi containing the cremated remains of the victims. Above these sarcophagi is a representation of Jesus' Crucifixion.
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