Bački Sokolac: Village History and Culture of Remembrance

Bački Sokolac lies on the Telečka Plateau; its history dates back to the founding of the settlement in 1921. Its story includes the origins of the first settlers, a monument in the village center, religious traditions and an annual village celebration. The crossroads connecting it with Sombor, Subotica and Novi Sad also provide practical orientation. If you are looking for a hotel, you can consider whether the village’s history, a festival date or the road connections are especially important for your trip.

Origins and First Settlers

Bački Sokolac was established in 1921 on the site of the former Pustara “Bioseg.” The first settlers included Serbs from Lika, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as surrounding areas. The year 1921 dates the settlement’s founding, while the regions mentioned describe where the first settlers came from. These are two different parts of the same local history: the site where the settlement arose and the people who were among its first inhabitants. The settlement’s history can therefore be viewed both through its former location and through the diverse regions from which its residents came.

The “Oko Sokolovo” Monument

A monument to the village’s founders and the Thessaloniki Volunteers was unveiled in the village center. It features a statue of Dragutin Matić, who received the nickname “Oko sokolovo” during the First World War. One historical interpretation connects the name “Oko Sokolovo” with the ancestors to whom the monument is dedicated: they named the settlement after a peak on Kajmakčalan. The dedication, the person depicted and the explanation of the place name are distinct layers of remembrance. Visiting the memorial site therefore brings you into contact not only with the statue, but also with connections to the village’s founding and its inherited history.

Village Slava and Other Gatherings

The village slava in honor of Saint Nicholas and Village Day are celebrated every year on May 22. The celebration includes a liturgy and the laying of a wreath at the monument to the Thessaloniki Volunteers. The fixed date thus brings together a religious celebration and a commemoration. If the date matters for your trip, check the program in advance.

A 2025 report also describes Banijsko prelo as part of a series of local heritage gatherings that has been organized regularly since 2023. This event provides another cultural point of reference alongside the village slava celebrated each year on May 22.

Religious Connections and Location

Orthodox religious tourism includes the Church of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Bački Sokolac. The church and the village slava share a religious connection: both are associated with Saint Nicholas, while representing different forms of religious life in the area.

The location on the Telečka Plateau describes the village’s geographical setting. This is distinct from the crossroads connecting it with Sombor, Subotica and Novi Sad, which provide orientation in relation to those three named cities. Bački Sokolac is classified under rural tourism in the municipal development plan for 2022 to 2030; this describes a planning priority. These details can answer different questions as you plan your trip: the plateau locates the village, the road connections indicate its orientation, and its history and festival traditions offer cultural points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Feketić, Bačka Topola, Krivaja, Stara Moravica, Palić, Subotica

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