Česma Guševica

Guševica fountain - the most important information

Have you heard of the popular fountain in Pirot - the Gusevic fountain? This fountain is a cultural and historical landmark of Pirot. It was created during the Ottoman rule in this area, in the middle of the 19th century, and since then it has become a kind of Pirot symbol. There is a well-known motto of the people of Pirot who told everyone who came to their town: "Whoever drinks water from Guševica, it is difficult to leave Pirot, but it is even harder to forget him." Numerous locals and guests of Pirot are still refreshed with water from this fountain, although it no longer flows spring, but water from the city water supply.

Appearance and characteristics of the fountain
The Guševica fountain is located in the central part of Pirot. It is surrounded by shops and a church, which together with it formed the so-called new Pirot bazaar. According to the data, this fountain was built by the Turkish fugitive Agush, and it was later named after him - Gusevica. The exact date of construction of the first version of the fountain is not known, but it is believed that it was 150 years ago or at the beginning of the second half of the 19th century. It is only known that it was renovated in 1923/1924. year, when she got the architectural contours, which she has in old photographs. People used to gather around Guševica, especially when it was a market day. Also, the main Epiphany festivities were held near it. This fountain is a four-storey building with a concrete ball on top, on which there used to be a lamp that illuminated the approach to the fountain, its faucets and the famous bowls. Tasas were vessels tied with a chain, from which water was drunk.

How to get to the fountain?

If your starting point is Belgrade, you can reach the Guševica fountain by car in 3 hours and 10 minutes (by highway A1 / E75).
If you come to Pirot by bus, from the main bus station to the fountain is a very short distance, which you will cross in 5 minutes of easy walking.
You can also walk from the center of Pirot to this fountain - it will take you about ten minutes across Dositejeva Street.

Additional information
The Guševica fountain has been gathering the inhabitants of Pirot for centuries and has been a symbol of the life of this city. The main Epiphany festivities have been held near it for years, with the shooting of slings and the making of ice crosses. After the consecration, the gathered people would move with crosses to the banks of the Nisava River and throw them into the water, while the bravest citizens jumped into the river to take out the cross. Because of all this, Guševica has a special place in the heart of all the people of Pirovac.