Gornji Milanovac
Gornji Milanovac is a town and municipality located in the Moravica District of central Serbia. The population of the town is 24,216, while the population of the municipality is 44,406.
The city was founded in 1853. Before 1859 the original name of the city was Despotovac, after the Despotovica river passing by the town. In 1859 the name was changed to Gornji Milanovac at the request of the Prince of Serbia Miloš Obrenović. Its name means Upper Milanovac.
History
Initially, the settlement that was to become Gornji Milanovac was situated in the area of today's village Brusnica. There was some discussion about the suitability of the site for a settlement. The new municipality was to be called Despotovac after the river Despotovica which passes through this municipality. On the 22nd of April 1852 Despotovac was then relocated to a place called Divlje Polje. This decision was taken by Mladen Žujović, Trivun Novaković, Stevan Knićanin, and Gaja Riznić. Notable buildings and roads are the work of German engineer Indižir Schultz from Pančevo. Today's name Gornji Milanovac was formalized by the warrant of Miloš Obrenović I, Prince of Serbia, in 1859, after his brother Milan Obrenović.The location of Gornji Milanovac confirms that this area was settled in the prehistory and we can find settlements of Illyrians, Thracians, Dacians, small groups of Celts and Goths and bigger settlements of the Romans. On the mountain Rudnik, besides older miners grove there are remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the Terra Mater. There is little information about Slavs and their settlements.
Even in the Middle Ages and the time of the Roman Empire, the area around Gornji Milanovac was significant in economical, agronomy, infrastructure and military sense. There are sites from the Neolithic period and pre/post Roman governance period, also ruins and sites from Byzantine administration, Medieval Serbian Principality/Kingdom, Serbian Empire and Ottoman Empire .
This town was significant during the First Serbian Uprising against Ottoman Empire rule, but more so during the
Second Serbian Uprising. In 1814. at Takovo has reached a historical agreement about the Second Serbian Uprising. In front of the family house of Obrenović in the village Gornja Crnuća, he raised a flag and said:
In the World War I occupation, the population in Gornji Milanovac was subjected to war terror and crimes, while during World War II the infrastructure was destroyed and the population of this town suffered as before. At the time of sanctions and breakup of Yugoslavia, the industry of municipality exported their products to the Western and Eastern markets through offshore companies. In 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Gornji Milanovac was bombed once. People from nearby town and municipalities in joke said, that when NATO planned which town to bomb, they put a cup of coffee on the Gornji Milanovac place at the map.
Important years and dates:
- 1814- The beginning of the Second Serbian Uprising was agreed in Takovo village
- 1852- Gornji Milanovac becomes first town in Serbia with completed map of the city and with the streets at an angle of 90°;
- 1853- establishment municipality of Despotovica;
- 1857- the establishment of the first men's and girls' primary school and the first library;
- 1859- changing the name of the municipality in Gornji Milanovac;
- 1879- the establishment of the First High School;
- 1890- first printing company start to work;
- 1892- the establishment of county hospital;
- 1912- commencement of construction of narrow-gauge railway;
- 1914- during the First World War in this town was settled headquarters of Živojin Mišić;
- 1921- finished electrification and construction of low voltage network;
- 1922- started with work of the narrow gauge railway and establishment of the first conditory company "Rudnik";
- 1923- first coal power plant;
- 1927- first X-ray machine;
- 1928- started with work of the first cinema in a municipality;
- 1933- HRH King Alexander I of Yugoslavia opens first mixed primary school;
- 1937- The establishment of the second factory of conditory products "Sumadija";
- 1941- Yugoslav Partisans and Yugoslav army in homeland in joint action release Gornji Milanovac from the Nazi- German occupation. Gornji Milanovac was merged with the other released towns in occupied Kingdom of Yugoslavia and formed short-lived Republic of Užice. At the head of that joint action was Zvonimir Vučković. During that battle two German tanks were trapped and now one of those is a monument on the exit from the town in village Nevade, while the other is a monument in Užice ;
- 1945- Gornji Milanovac was released from Nazi-German occupation and began industrialization
- 1965- two municipalities Pranjani and Rudnik merged to Gornji Milanovac.
Culture and tourism
Cultural monuments
in Gornji Milanovac are:- Church of the Holy Trinity.
- Church of St. Nicholas in the village of Brusnica and the family tomb of Obrenović dynasty.
- District Building.
- Monuments in the center of the municipality.
- "Hill of Peace" Memorial Park.
- Tank as a monument of liberation in Nevade from the Second World War.
- Orthodox Christian monasteries of Vraćevšnica, Šilopaj and Vujan.
- Takovo complex devoted to the heroes from Second Serbian Uprising.
- Ruins of Orthodox monasteries "Ješevac", Catholic church "Misa" on Rudnik.
- Ruins of Irene Kantakouzene on Treska Hill.
- Family house of Miloš Obrenović in Gornja Crnuća.
- Family house of national hero Dragan Jeftić-Škepo.
- Family house of the Lunjevica family.
- Family house of Djordjevic built in old Serbian architectural style.
- Family house and inheritance of Archibald Reiss's son- "Dobro polje II".
- Monument on city cemetery of fallen soldiers of Austro-Hungary and Serbian Army in World War I.
- Monument for the participants in Operation Halyard and the other monuments in the rest of municipality.
Culture institutions
The main theater in this municipality is "Milanovačko amatersko pozorište ". Milanovac amateur theater, GM cinema, art gallery and administrative center of all settlements cultural clubs has headquarters in the center of municipality witch satisfy modern standards for one cultural institution. In the area of photography and cinema, Gornji Milanovac is represented with a big number of art members of the Photo-cinema club Gornji Milanovac.
The Museum of Rudnik and Takovo area is a subsidiary of the culture center of Gornji Milanovac. It has established the Gallerie of Arts in 2008, and a modern gallery in the building of old district administration.
Music and folklore
In this municipality there are two folklore groups: "Tipoplastika"-Folklore ensemble and Culture-Arts Community "Šumadija". There are also rock bends that were established in this town, like: "Bjesovi", "An Fas", ″Pastir Pan″, "GM Undergrounders", "Skarlet" and "Čudna Šuma". As for punk-rock bands in '90s and 80's there are: "Trula koalicija", In '00s there were established new rock and reggae music bands and groups: "Plišani mališan", "Morbid Cow", "Parnasus", "Strah od Džeki Čena", IMT 666, etc.Tourism, ecology and events
Whilst part of Yugoslavia, Gornji Milanovac was known as the "economic miracle" and "Beli Labud" as the ecologically cleanest city. There is great potential for further rural and spa tourism progress in future times. Today's Gornji Milanovac on its territory has a lot of small, categorized rural hotels, one hostel and motels. Close to Gornji Milanovac is a spa and resort "Atomska Banja" Donja Trepča. Major Hotels in this town are newly opened hotel "IG Hotel" and "MD Neda" in the settlement Rudnik. In the past, there was one of the biggest hotels "Šumadija" bankrupted in 2004.Gornji Milanovac was a pioneer in the application of sorting waste, recycling and water purification in Serbia and previously in Yugoslavia. Also, Gornji Milanovac is a great antagonist of GM food why it has adopted declaration and municipality statute about prohibition of this type of food.
Tourists from around the world visit this municipality for its clean air, small and quiet places, inner and family vacations. Gornji Milanovac every other year is the host of International Biennial of miniature Art, founded in 1989. In village Takovo is the host of the World Music Festival, every May, June or July. Known trip places are: Takovo, Grabovica, Savinac and Rudnik. These places are popular during the celebration of the May 1st or world-known International Workers' Day as a collegial picnic in union organization. Other significant cultural and tourism events on its territory are World Testicle Cooking Championship, the "Milanovac bowl tournament" and the Goulash tournament. In some settlements are held various art colonies. Also, there are held and village gymnastic competition in some disciplines during the celebration of some patron day of that village.
Gornji Milanovac is a touristic sense has to offer to the lovers of bright starry nights and beautiful sunrises, various monuments, clean air, healing water resources and much more. It has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife which is also developed and safer than in the rest of Serbia. On the January, 7th Gornji Milanovas Tourist organization and its citizens every year organize the one-day festival, because it's believed that if they start something on that holiday they will succeed in all days in that year.
Also in Gornji Milanovac are 3 fairs per year, on May 22, August 2 and October 15. After 70 years Gornji Milanovac as municipality celebrates its Patron day. It is Trinity, where on that day is being held pageant. Locals are advocating to build a mini cable car system for Rudnik and biathlon stadium on the Ravna Gora, given that project had failed during the 90's economical and international political problems of Yugoslavia and Serbia as a federal republic.
Geography and infrastructure
Gornji Milanovac lies between mountains Rudnik to the north and Vujan to the south. Relief of this area is hilly and mountainous. Gornji Milanovac with all his territory is located between these mountains: Rudnik, Maljen, Jesevac, Suvobor, Rajac and Vujan. Gornji Milanovac boundaries with: Ljig and Mionica, Topola and Aranđelovac Čačak and Lučani, Požega, Serbia, Kragujevac and Knić.The center of the city is situated along the western side of European route E763, between the cities Ljig to the north and Čačak to the south and the villages Majdan to the north and Preljina to the south.
Main city crossroad branches:
- To the North, onto road Gornji Milanovac-Kragujevac that crosses with E763 and turns East; the nearest village on the road is Donja Vrbava.
- To the East, turns South then East through the city, crosses E763 and then goes south through the village of Donja Trepča onto the route 23.
- To the South, towards E763.
- To the West, quickly turns North and after branches into road Gornji Milanovac-Čestobrodica to the West; the nearest village on the road is Takovo, where Takovo Uprising begun; and into Road Gornji Milanovac – Donji Banjani to the North; the nearest village on the road is Kalimanići;
- South of Milanovac, villages Brdjani to the West and Prislonica to the East are connected to E763 with local roads
- On the West and Southside of municipalities is situated A2 highway, opened for traffic in 2016; this is the most primary project on the field of transport and tourism in the future, providing Gornji Milanovac good connection to the coast of Adriatic Sea and Belgrade.
Gornji Milanovac is instructed to use civil and military airport in nearby Morava Airport-Lajdevci, Kraljevo, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport and Užice-Ponikve Airport. Also, in September 2018, Swisslion-Takovo Concern established Heliport for business and civilian purpose. Gornji Milanovac does not have conditions for development of water traffic transportation. In 1969 narrow and regional railway Čačak-Gornji Milanovac – Topola was abolished because it was unprofitable. In 2014, Government of Serbia will consider the spatial plan of new electrified railways line Belgrade–Sarajevo, where Gornji Milanovac could be one of regional centers.
Climate
Gornji Milanovac has Humid continental climate. Mildest parts of Gornji Milanovac are Brdjani, Trudelj and Dragolj. The coldest parts are peaks of Rudnik, Rajac, parts of villages Majdan, Svrackovci, Gojna Gora, Gornji Branetici, Brajic, Polom and in the north-west part of village Bogdanica. Moderately humid parts of the municipality are in parts of Majdan and the rest parts of mountain Rudnik, Rajac, and peaks of Suvobor.The average annual temperature of air are in range of in the parts of Rudnik and Suvobor and at. Average daily humidity 78.5% during the year, in winter 85%, in summer periods 75%. The hottest month of the year is July, and the coldest is January. Autumn is warmer than the spring for.
The average annual precipitation height are in the range of. Minimum mean wind speed is 1.7–2.6 m/s and maximum 13.8–20.7 m/s. This maximum speed occurs in the southeastern, southwestern and southern winds. On the territory of Gornji Milanovac prevails southeastern, northern and eastern winds.
Vegetation period lasts 220–260 days. During these period precipitation rate is 55% which is favorable for plants.
According to the last measuring of Air quality in 2019, the result was satisfying, because they showed an average of 35 US AQI to moderate quality 70 US AQI in the winter periods.
Annual average daily global sun radiation energy on a horizontal surface on territory of municipality Gornji Milanovac is between 3.8–4.0 kWh/m2. Daily mean values of the ambient dose rate on the area around this municipality are ≈ 100 nSv/h.
Geology and vegetation
On the territory of Gornji Milanovac there is represented the following type of soil:- Brown acid soil-which is widespread in areas like Rudnik, from the west of Gruza river to Boljkovci;
- Brown earth on serpentine-at Vujan, Suvobor and Maljen mountains;
- Cambisol-in region of Lipovac, Prnjavor, Donja Crnuca, Belo Polje;
- Brown earth on limestone- in area of Ravna Gora;
- Brown earth on diabase-in region of Belo Polje, Gornja Vrbava, Donja Vrbava, Grabovica, Jablanica, in some village area like Brezovica, Rudnik, Zagradje, Gornji Branetici, Donji Branetici, and Ozrem.
Gornji Milanovac and the villages of Varnice, Zagradje, Dragolj and Trudelj are dominated by the Ostrvica Massif. The elevation of Ostrvica is. Ostrvica is actually the remains of a destroyed volcanic cone. In May 2009, Ostrvica was declared a natural monument. In the middle of the last century, this massif was significant for its military fortifications and watchtower.
Land that is not cultivated makes 14.6%, arable land 47%, barren land makes 4.4%.
The erosion process was active in the past, which is why today some parts of the territory have barren land. These processes have caused the degradation of the land. According to the Republic Seismological Institution of Serbia, Gornji Milanovac is on the scale 8°-8.9° magnitude of an earthquake and the probability that this can happen once in 50–1000 years is 63%. In the major territory there is good protection from erosion process and solid protection from floods. The population doesn't have good protection from wind storms and radiation, but new standards in house and building construction stipulates even that. Most of the population has good thermal insulation in their homes and companies.
Forest vegetation is various: willow, poplar, oak, ash, etc. Forest plantations make 10% of his territory and 90% are natural wood. Meadow grass vegetation occupies 26,656 hectares which is 32%, meadows 15% and grasslands 17%.
Terrain
The terrain of Gornji Milanovac is highland. Total terrain is divided by rivers Kamenica, Čemernica, Gruža, and Despotovica. It is of volcanic origin. Today the terrain is a result of the combined effects of tectonic movements and fluvial erosion processes in the past.Morphological traits of municipalities, we can distinguish two different zones:
- Mountain rims of the south piedmonts on Maljen, Suvobor and south-western on Rudnik,
- Central-valley basin is characteristic of north-western parts and north of Ješevac and Vujan.
Demographics
According to the last official census done in 2011, the Municipality of Gornji Milanovac has 44,406 inhabitants. Population density on the territory of the municipality is 53.1 inhabitants per square kilometer. Since the census of 1981 when the total population was 50,651 people, there is a population decline due to the bad economic conditions in Serbia, negative natural increase rate and the majority of the older population. As of 2011, in Gornji Milanovac there are 637 migrants.Estimated composition of population by sex and average age are:
- Male- 21,802 and
- Female- 22,604.
Ethnic groups
| Ethnic group | Population | % |
| Serbs | 43,453 | 97.85% |
| Roma | 178 | 0.40% |
| Montenegrins | 81 | 0.18% |
| Macedonians | 49 | 0.11% |
| Croats | 34 | 0.08% |
| Yugoslavs | 31 | 0.07% |
| Others | 580 | 1.31% |
| Total | 44,406 |
Religion structure of Gornji Milanovac as it follows in the table:
| Religions | Number of citizens |
| Serbian Orthodox | 43,179 |
| Atheist | 109 |
| Catholics | 65 |
| Islam | 53 |
| Group of Eastern religions | 11 |
| Protestants | 8 |
| Agnostics | 5 |
| Other religions | 18 |
| Did not declare | 347 |
| Unknown | 53 |
Mother tongue structure of Gornji Milanovac is displayed by the following table:
| Mother tongue | Number of cizens |
| Serbian and Serbo-Croatian | 43,884 |
| Romani | 84 |
| Macedonian | 34 |
| Croatian | 23 |
| Other languages | 118 |
| Did not declare according with 43 Article of the Constitution of Serbia | 72 |
| Unknown | 191 |
Economy and industry
1890 was significant as journalism began in this area. After World War I, Gornji Milanovac was connected with the other and important areas and cities in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes thanks to the narrow gauge railway. Before World War II the population was involved in mining, agronomy and with a few industrial workers. During the World War II Gornji Milanovac was destroyed, but in the 1950s Gornji Milanovac begin with rapid progress, the rest of SFR Yugoslavia called this area an economic miracle.In that time there were established two industrial zones. Companies and corporations that were established in these zones were: Zvezda, Metalac, PIK Takovo, MK Rudnik, FAD, Tipoplastika, Metal Seko, GRO Graditelj, Minos, Rudnik Flotation, Dečje novine, Proleter, Kablar, Sigma, Šipad Sarajevo-Gornji Milanovac, Imlek, Mlinsko-Pekarska Industrija Beograd, JTv Gornji Milanovac, KDS "Despotovica".
Gornji Milanovac in the '80s and '90s was a real "nursery" of a mixed economy. Despite the 90's break up of SFR Yugoslavia and UN sanctions, Gornji Milanovac was the only city in that time in newly formed FR Yugoslavia whose companies were operated with a profit. New date companies are: "9. Septembar", "Tetra Pak", "Papir Print", "Spektar", "Flint Group Balkan", "Planeta računari", "FOKA", "S-group", "Semix Techno", "Interplet Gradnja", "Rapid", "AzVirt", "Rolopast", "RM Pak", "RGM Pak", "Apex", "MetalMont","Kej komerc", "Neven","Agrouniverzal", DAM 93", "RP Štamparija", "PCM Graf", "CIS Ecopoint", "Maksimil", "Jomla Group","Digitel", "Alfa Support", etc.
After 2001 and 2002, most workers organizations from a period of 1950-1990 were privatized. Only a few bankrupted: GRO Graditelj, Mlinsko-Pekarska Industrija Beograd, Imlek, Dečje novine, Minos and JTv Gornji Milanovac.
Here department stores, two mini-supermarkets, elegant boutiques, and restaurants can be found. Also, there is 1 flea markets, where local farmers are selling vegetables, products and 1 market of farm animals.
Today Gornji Milanovac valid for the biggest exporter of goods, services and products in the Republic of Serbia and one of the few cities and municipalities with the budget surplus. During the period of June 2014 unemployment rate in Gornji Milanovac was 25.28%. Most of municipality economy relies on:
- 329 Small business,
- 22 Medium size business,
- 9 Big business.
;Economic preview
The following table gives a preview of total number of registered people employed in legal entities per their core activity :
| Activity | Total |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 103 |
| Mining and quarrying | 509 |
| Manufacturing | 4,678 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 63 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 174 |
| Construction | 450 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 1,548 |
| Transportation and storage | 433 |
| Accommodation and food services | 414 |
| Information and communication | 94 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 297 |
| Real estate activities | 9 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 237 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 293 |
| Public administration and defense; compulsory social security | 410 |
| Education | 781 |
| Human health and social work activities | 718 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 162 |
| Other service activities | 199 |
| Individual agricultural workers | 556 |
| Total | 12,128 |
Community services and Territorial organizations
Education
Gornji Milanovac has four primary schools: OŠ "Sveti Sava", OŠ Desanka Maksimović, OŠ "Kralj Aleksandar I" and OŠ "Momčilo Nastasijević". Also it has one high school: Gimnazija "Takovski ustanak.Two professional schools : ETŠ "Knjaz Miloš" and TŠ "Jovan Žujović". As regard as kindergarten and nurseries in this municipality there is three of these.
Gornji Milanovac had one department for higher education from Novi Sad, which was private owned and this department dissolved. In future periods was planned to open new departments of University of Kragujevac Faculty of Economics for business administration, taxes and accounting. Also and Faculty of Architecture University of Belgrade had negotiations about opening new departments for local students.
Health protection
Health protection in Gornji Milanovac is widespread on all territory. Citizens can rached basic health protection even in rural parts of municipality. Health care is organized like: General Hospital, Neurology Hospital, Gynaecology department, Intensive care unit, Labour health protection unit, Surgical and physiatrically department, Dentistry, Dermatology, Psychiatric ward, Rehabilitation services, Village Health Protection Units and Physical therapy. Common support units include a dispensary, pathology, and radiology, and on the non-medical side, there are medical records departments, release of information departments, financial and HR department, Patient lawyers, Clinical Engineering, Facilities Management, Dining Services and Security Departments. There is an emergency service in place. On the property of Gornji Milanovac Hospital, there is built infrastructure for mini spa and rehabilitation center for skin and musculoskeletal diseases from watter resources, mentioned above. As for health protection of animals, Gornji Milanovac has several privately owned veterinary stations.Media broadcasting
"Dečje novine" was the famous and largest publishing house of books, comics, magazines and sticker albums in former Yugoslavia, based in this municipality. They had exclusive copyrights to publish comics of Walt Disney, Marvel and DC Comics. This publisher bankrupted in the 90's and then the remains of company assets were divided among creditors. Creditors established new companies in the sector of publishing books, newspapers, design and art, graphical services and enigmatic-revival editions. But these independent companies did not have the same success as "Dečje novine" had.This town had 3 private owned radio stations and 1 local broadcasting station. In the '80s at Gornji Milanovac was established experimental radio station for travelers highway information services and among the first cable television systems in Yugoslavia, called Cable Distributive Systems "Despotovica". Due to the technological advancements, this radio station was called off during 1990. At the time of NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, former JTv Gornji Milanovac broadcast television and radio signal to the world for the short time until NATO air force bombed radio and television repeater at mountain Rudnik and nearby Kablar. Now Gornji Milanovac has 2 radio stations, "Gogi" and "Stari Milanovac" radio local broadcasting company, which both broadcasts folk music, information, and news in the Serbian language. Meanwhile, the radio station "Stari Milanovac" bankrupted.
Until 2014, Gornji Milanovac did not have television broadcasting, after series of unsuccessful privatization of former JTv Gornji Milanovac. Now, this municipality has regional television and cable television broadcasting company "Telemark Systems". Telemark bought old cable television KDS Despotovica. This television company provides: cable television, regional television broadcasting for several municipalities, broadband internet, IT services, advertising services, fixed telephony, MMDS, dealership of digital and cable TV equipment and other services. Also, Gornji Milanovac has newspaper company "Takovske Novine", while "GM Press" bankrupted. In 2019, Telekom Srbija bought Telemark Systems and municipality Gornji Milanovac wanted new business partners for joint ventures in the media area. In August 2019, license for television media coverage is given to newly formed RTV GM Info Group.
Territorial organisation
There is one police station, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia administration unit, Military post, Post office, branch of FedEx for Serbia, Customs substation and Fire-Rescuers department. The settlements are organized as Council of Settlements and Gornji Milanovac is divided into 63 settlements. Each of them has responsibility for that part of the territory.Settlements
Aside from the town of Gornji Milanovac, the municipality of Gornji Milanovac includes the following 60 settlements and 3 smaller towns :- Belo Polje
- Beršići
- Bogdanica
- Boljkovci
- Brajići
- Brdjani
- Brezna
- Brezovica
- Brusnica
- Varnice
- Velereč
- Vrnčani
- Gojna Gora
- Gornja Vrbava
- Gornja Crnuća
- Gornji Banjani
- Gornji Branetići
- Gornji Milanovac, center
- Grabovica
- Davidovica
- Donja Vrbava
- Donja Crnuća
- Donji Branetići
- Dragolj
- Drenova
- Družetići
- Zagradje
- Jablanica
- Kalimanići
- Kamenica
- Klatičevo
- Koštunići
- Kriva Reka
- Leušići
- Lipovac
- Lozanj
- Ločevci
- Lunjevica
- Ljevaja
- Ljutovnica
- Majdan
- Mutanj
- Nakucani
- Nevade
- Ozrem
- Polom
- Pranjani
- Prnjavor
- Reljinci
- Rudnik
- Ručići
- Svračkovci
- Semedraž
- Sinoševići
- Srezojevci
- Takovo
- Teočin
- Trudelj
- Ugrinovci
- Cerova
- Šarani
- Šilopaj
Judicial system and safety
Gornji Milanovac from its establishment had modern district court. Today it has Basic People Court and Magistrates Court. Also, it is among the safest municipalities in Serbia. According to National Statistical Institute of Serbia in 2013 Gornji Milanovac had 148 convicted adults and 16 juvenile. Safety index of this municipality is among the highest than in other municipalities in Serbia 98.63%.Politics
According to the Law on Local Self-Government head of municipality is called "president" and for larger cities, they are called "mayors". Gornji Milanovac has/had 29 presidents in his history. In the following table are named presidents and not precise dates of their mandate:| Presidents of Municipalities | Political Party | Mandat period |
| Jovan Andrić | People's Radical Party | End 19th century |
| Maksim Sretenović | People's Radical Party | End 19th century |
| Stanoje Marinković | People's Radical Party | Beginning of the 20th century |
| Dragoljub Skubic | Yugoslav National Party, Yugoslav Radical Union | 1930s |
| Svetozar Čivović | Yugoslav Radical Union | 1941-1945 |
| Branko Knežević | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1944-1945 |
| Lazar Djordjević | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1945-1947 |
| Zdravko Radojević | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1947 |
| Uroš Ivanović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1947 |
| Branko Petrović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1947 |
| Mihailo Mile Tešić | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1947-1950 |
| Milovan Milovanović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1950-1951 |
| Hristivoje Popović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1951- 1955 |
| Djordje Djoka Cajić | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1955-1960 |
| Milojko Veljović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1960-1963 |
| Borivoje Novaković | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1963-1965 |
| Slobodan Stanojević | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1965-1967 |
| Dragoljub Dragan Pavlović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1967-1969 |
| Živojin Simović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1969-1974 |
| Stanimir Jovanović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1974-1978; 1978-1982 |
| Dušan M. Papić | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1982-1984 |
| Jovan Tomović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1984-1986 |
| Todor Popović | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1986-1988 |
| Pantelija Gačić | League of Communists of Yugoslavia | 1989-1993 |
| Dražimir Marušić | First mandate as League of Communists of Yugoslavia, next three mandates as Socialist Party of Serbia | 1992-1993, 1993-1997, 1997-2000 and 2004-2010 |
| Aleksandar Pravdić | Democratic Party of Serbia | 2000-2001 |
| Milutin M. Prodanović | Democratic Party of Serbia | 2001-2004 |
| Vladimir Simović | Democratic Party of Serbia | 2004 |
| Milisav Mirković | Socialist Party of Serbia | 2010–2012 and 2012–2016 |
| Dejan Kovačević | Serbian Progressive Party | 2016–present |
Flag, Motto, and Coat of Arms
First adopted representative solution for Gornji Milanovac was at the beginning of the '60s, with gray flag and complex emblem which consist of green and white colors. Symbols and colors are :- Green and white was supposed to represent a clean environment with butterfly in the center of emblem,
- In the circle was put Serbian Cyrillic letter "Г ", which stands for first initial for "Gornji" and outside is also Serbian Cyrillic letter "M" which stands for the second initial of "Milanovac",
- Gear wheel with number 1853 at the bottom, which supposed to symbolized economical-financial and overall progress of Gornji Milanovac and his people:
The third adopted solution is now replaced emblem and flag of Gornji Milanovac. It is also and the flag of a political coalition called "Pokret za opštinu Gornji Milanovac-POGM ". The flag is white with some form of inverted Iberian shield. In the shield there are territorial map of municipality as treetop, in the middle is oak stump which also symbolizes Zapis and Second Serbian Uprising and on the bottom of this emblem, there is inscription "Општина Горњи Милановац " ".
In the November 2016, new municipality authorities adopted Statute of Municipality Gornji Milanovac with previous, second solution. Problems about flag, motto and coat of arms is in political nature. Above mention political Movement of Municipality Gornji Milanovac is adopting the third solution. In the 2008 opposition parties suggest referendum about Municipality Statute, but referendum never held. Litigation continues even today and remains to see the next composition of municipality authorities.
International relations
Twin towns — sister cities
Gornji Milanovac is twinned with:- Gmunden, Austria
- Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Vlasenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Pleven, Bulgaria
- Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Slavonska Požega, Croatia
- Edessa, Greece
- Bitola, North Macedonia
- Kavadarci, North Macedonia
- Probištip, North Macedonia
- Staro Nagoričane, North Macedonia
- Strumica, North Macedonia
- Budva, Montenegro
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Mosjøen, Norway
- Nowogard, Poland
- Brăila, Romania
- Herăști, Giurgui, Romania
- Starodub, Russia
- Kamnik, Slovenia
- Sežana, Slovenia
- Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
- Starše, Slovenia
- Bursa, Turkey
Sport
Notable sport society from Gornji Milanovac are shown in following table:
| Club | Sport | Venue | League | Description | |
| FK Metalac Gornji Milanovac | Soccer | Metalac Stadium | Serbian First League | Men's football team. Established 1961. | |
| FK Takovo | Soccer | SD Takovo stadium | Serbian League West | Men's football team. Established 1911. | |
| SD Dragan Jeftic Skepo | Shooting | Shooting range SD Dragan Jeftić Škepo | SSS Cup | Men and women's shooting team. | |
| ŽRK Metalac AD | Handball | SC "Breza" | Serbian First League for Women | Women's handball team | |
| RK Tipoplastika | Handball | Sport and recreation center of Tipoplastika company | - | Men's handball team. Dissolved, 2000. | |
| RK Omladinac | Handball | SC "Breza" | Serbian First League West | Dissolved in the 1980s. Reestablished 2012 | |
| KAF Metalac | American Football | Takovo Stadium | Ex Second Serbian and Montenegrin American Football National League | Men's American football team. Dissolved. | |
| KBK Milanovac | Kickboxing | Various | Future champions league | Men's kickboxing club | |
| KK Metalac | Bowling | Atomsko Sklonište and at Metalac Stadium | Serbian Super League | Men's bowling team | |
| KMF Metalac-Kolorado | Footsal | SC "Breza" | Second Futsal League-West | Men's futsal team | |
| OK Takovo-Zvezda-Helios ; Takovo-Metalac | Volleyball | SC "Breza" | Serbian First League, Serbian First League | Men and women's volleyball team | |
| AK Takovo | Athletics | Takovo stadium | Serbian Athletic League | Men and women's athletic team | |
| AK Veteran | Athletics | Takovo stadium | Serbian Athletic League | Men and women's athletic team | |
| MK Lonely Riders | Motorcycles | SAS Parac | AMSS championship | Men and Women motorcycle club | |
| OKK Takovo | Basketball | Hall of TŠ "Jovan Žujović" and SC "Breza" | Junior Regional Basketball League-West | Men's basketball team | |
| KK Ikar Gornji Milanovac | Basketball | SC "Breza" | - | Men and Women's basketball club for children with special needs | |
| KK GM032 | Basketball | SC "Breza" | Second Men Regional Basketball League-West group B | Men's basketball team | |
| KK Takovo | Karate | SC "Breza" | No data | Men and Women's karate club | |
| TK Takovo | Tennis | "Takovo" Stadium complex | Tennis League of Serbia | Men and women's tennis club | |
| PK Kupidon | Darts | Various | Second national league | Men darts club | |
| JK Grabovica | Sailing | - | None | Men sailing club | |
| DK Arasi | Judo | Various | Unknown | Men's and women judo club | |
| BK Car Dušan Silni | Shoot wrestling | Various | Serbian Battle Championship | Men shoot wrestling affiliation | |
| PSD Rudnik | Mountaineering | Rudnik mountain complex | PSS Expeditions | Men's and women mountaineering sport association | |
| ŠK Metalac-Takovo | Chess | Various | Serbian Super League | Men and women chess club | |
| STSO Gornji Milanovac | Table Tennis | Various | Serbia Table Tennis Federation League | Men and women table tennis club | |
| PK Domingo | Dance sport club | Various | Various | Men and women dance sport club |
Also there are multisport activities and organizations in this municipality. Such as: DTV Partizan and four junior football clubs: "Poletarac", "Junior soccer", "Srpski orlovi" and "Sportic". As far as municipality association football league, Gornji Milanovac has 12 members: Majdan, Jablanica, Šumadija, Ozrem PMH, Šilopaj, Velereč '94, Ozremica, Mladi Rudar, Mladost '09, Takovski ustanak, Brezak, Sparta Grabovica and Omladinac. Every municipality football senior game is well covered by local residents. In Morava District league there are some Gornji Milanovac clubs, as: FK Napredak Svračkovci, FK Backovac United, FK Donja Vrbava and FK Lunjevica.
Notable people
This municipality has numerous of deserving citizens who have contributed to the progress of Serbia and Yugoslavia.- Hadži-Prodan Gligorijević, Serbian military commander in First Serbian Uprising
- Jovan Žujović, anthropologist, a founder of geology in Serbia
- Mija Aleksić, Serbian actor
- Momčilo Nastasijević, a Serbian poet and novelist
- Uroš Petrović, literate
- Bjesovi, alternative rock band
- Snežana Đurišić, Serbian and Yugoslavian folk singer
- Čedomir Mirković, Serbian writer and editor
- Draga Mašin, queen and wife of King Aleksandar Obrenović of the Kingdom of Serbia
- Ljubica Vukomanović, Princess consort of the Principality of Serbia, wife of Miloš Obrenović
- Jelena Abbou, née Jelena Djordjevic Fitness and figure competition
- Dragan Todorović, Serbian politician and president of political party "Istočna alternativa "
- Milomir Marić, Serbian journalist, writer, and television presenter
- Bojan Dimitrijević, Serbian politician and ex-minister of Trade, Tourism, and Services in the Serbian government
- Dragiša Vasić, Serbian and Yugoslavian lawyer, writer, publicist, soldier
- Arsenije Loma, Serbian duke during the First and Second Serbian Uprising of the Serbian revolution
- Ljubica Otašević, Serbian and Yugoslavian actor and women basketball player
- Čedomir Mirković, writer and critic
- Uroš Petrović, poet
- Dobrica Matković, chief of the Royal Department for State Protection and Ban of Danube