Veliko Selo: History, Fishing and Vegetable Growing

Veliko Selo appeals to travelers interested in local history, memories of fishing and the village’s agricultural character. Historical points of interest include the Crkva Svetog Stefana and the Stara Mehana, alongside stories about early residents of Velikoselski rit. Expansive greenhouse areas offer another glimpse of the village. If you are looking for hotels in Veliko Selo, these themes can help you decide whether the destination suits your interests. This way, you can get to know Veliko Selo not only through its buildings, but also through its former livelihoods and vegetable growing.

Cultural History: The Church and Stara Mehana

The Crkva Svetog Stefana was built in Veliko Selo in 1834 using material from the demolished Sveti Stefan Monastery in Slanci. This construction history connects the village to the former monastery and makes the reuse of its materials a tangible part of the church’s history. The Stara Mehana offers another historical connection. It was built in the first decades of the 19th century and has been protected as a cultural monument since 2001. At the time, it served as a meeting place for merchants, travelers and local residents. The two buildings offer different insights: at the church, the focus is on the origin of the building materials, while at the mehana, it is on its former social role as a meeting place.

Fishing and the History of the Danube

According to some old documents, Veliko Selo was founded in 1510. Local tradition holds that the residents’ distant ancestors were fishermen known as Alasi. The early residents of Velikoselski rit are also connected with fishing: frequent Danube floods made good catches possible there. The history of fishing can thus be viewed from two perspectives: as local tradition about the ancestors, and as a connection between river floods, settlement and catches. At the latitude of Veliko Selo, the Danube is also home to the river islands of Forkontumac, also called Velika Švab, and Ada Čakljanac. The islands add a geographical connection to the river to the historical stories.

Greenhouses and Vegetable Growing

Another part of the village’s character is its extensive vegetable-growing areas, which are covered with greenhouses. They supply Belgrade’s markets with various types of vegetables every day. This aspect complements the historic buildings and stories about fishing with Veliko Selo’s agricultural character. It also shows another side of the village: vegetable growing is linked to supplying the markets and offers a distinct way to understand its local character.

Travel by Bus

Belgrade bus route 202 is listed as a connection between Omladinski stadion/ulaz/ and Veliko Selo. The timetable lists 24 stops in each direction and an average journey time of about 30 minutes. The last change noted there is September 2, 2026. Check the current timetable before traveling so you can plan your journey using the applicable departure times.

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