Landscape and Location

Šumarak lies on the edge of the Deliblatska peščara. In the area, dunes alternate with shallow depressions; smaller ponds and marshes are also among its surface waters. The village therefore cannot be described solely in terms of a sand dune. Hatarica, the highest dune in the low-lying sandy landscape at 105 metres, lies within the Šumarak area. Depressions, smaller bodies of water, and this high dune represent different forms of the same landscape. If you place a destination in context based on its landscape, this gives you a more accurate picture than the name of the sandy area alone.

The elevation figures also refer to different points. Šumarak lies at about 100 metres above sea level; 105 metres refers to Hatarica. The village’s elevation and the height of the highest dune are therefore two separate reference points. Šumarak was established where a high linear sand dune northeast of Kovin transitions. “Linear” refers to its elongated shape. Together with its location on the edge of the Deliblatska peščara, this gives a spatial picture that takes into account both the approximate elevation of the village and its relationship to a particular sand formation.

A paved road connects Šumarak with Kovin and most of the settlements in the municipality of Kovin. This brings together two points of reference: the location on the edge of the Deliblatska peščara places the village in the landscape, while the road connects it to Kovin and most of the municipality’s settlements.

A municipal development document from 2022 listed Šumarak as one of three designated hunting areas within the open hunting area of the Deliblatska peščara. It names Dragićev hat and Flamunda as the other two.

Local History and Character

The village’s history comprises several clearly distinct milestones. Šumarak was first mentioned in 1893 under the name Emanueltelep. In the early 1920s, state authorities gave land to the inhabitants of Šumarak. From 1929 to 1946, the village was called Mali Dubovac; in 1947, Šumarak was granted settlement status. The first mention, land grant, period under a former name, and settlement status thus form a clear chronological sequence. The dates answer different questions: 1893 marks the first mention, 1929 to 1946 the period when it had a former name, and 1947 its status as a settlement.

On the edge of the high sandy landscape is a larger cluster of farmsteads and wine houses used as weekend homes. This adds a different dimension to the descriptions of the terrain: alongside dunes, depressions, and bodies of water, these houses also shape the village’s character. Their use as weekend homes is a feature of the buildings themselves and adds a present-day perspective to the village’s history.

Discover more destinations: Dubovac, Kovin, Starčevo, Pančevo, Opovo, Vršac, Skorenovac.

For the regional travel overview: South Banat District.