Imagine this: in the heart of Serbia, in the town of Užice, stands the oldest hydroelectric power plant in all of Europe! Yes, you read that right! This hydro plant isn’t just some old building – it’s the fulfillment of the famous Tarabić prophecy, who predicted 32 years ago that the Đetinje River would bring light to the city. And it wasn’t just empty words! The first hydroelectric power plant in Europe, built on Tesla’s principles of polyphase currents, started operating right here in Užice, way back in 1900!
How did it all start? Shareholders of a textile factory in Užice needed a cheap and reliable energy source. Professor Đorđe Stanojević stepped in and concluded that the Đetinje River had enough water power to generate electricity. King Aleksandar Obrenović quickly supported the project and personally laid the cornerstone in May 1899.
But hold on, it wasn’t easy! The equipment came from Vienna, but since Užice had no railway at the time, the gear was transported by wooden carts pulled by six pairs of oxen! The caravan took months to arrive, while Serbs were pondering the Great Migration.
When the equipment finally arrived, construction started immediately. The hydro plant was opened on August 2, 1900, the birthday of King Aleksandar Obrenović. Few locals understood how water and electricity could be connected; many feared their houses would explode! But the first electricity powered the textile factory before noon and lit up the city, cafes, and shops in the afternoon.
This hydroelectric plant operated for 60 years, and the equipment remains preserved and functional to this day. Numerous foreign delegations and ambassadors have visited this unique monument, which is one of Užice’s greatest tourist attractions.
So next time you flip a light switch, remember it might be thanks to this old hydro plant that brought light to Užice over a century ago, and whose existence was predicted by none other than Tarabić! Who would’ve thought technology from 1900 could still be so powerful? Got a similar story or think this is unbelievable? Drop a comment below – let’s laugh and marvel at this miracle together!
