History of Prokuplje

In early middle age, during the rule of Stefan Nemanja, Prokuplje is not mentioned in any written documents. The settlement gain its importance in TsarLazar's period, before the Turkish invasion, when the fortress on Hisar Hill was rebuilt. Prokuplje was besieged in 1454 and during 423 years of Turkish rule the name of the place was Urcub or Okrub. It was part of the Sanjak of Niš. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the town gets important status and becomes very important like other Serbian towns: Kruševac, Stalac and Leskovac. Prokuplje prospered through the trade connections with Dubrovnik. During the Great Turkish War Prokuplje was captured by Austrian troops and Serbian Militia in 1689 and burned down during their retreat in 1690, against the order