Markova Fountain

The water is safe for drinking

Markova Fountain is one of the most well-known public fountains in Zaječar and one of the city’s significant interwar endowments. It was erected in 1934 as a endowment of Marko C. Petković, a prominent merchant and industrialist from Zaječar, as indicated by the inscription on a granite plaque: “Endowment of Marko C. Petković, merchant from Zaječar. Markova Fountain built on November 24, 1934. Water depth: 212 meters.” The fountain was built next to the benefactor’s family home, today the Svetozar Marković Public Library, and originally had two water outlets—one in the courtyard for household use, and another facing the street, intended for public use. Today, only the street-facing fountain remains in function, while the internal source is no longer active.

Markova Fountain continues to hold a special place in the everyday life of the city. Due to its location near schools, it is particularly popular among students, as well as among residents who use it regularly. Over the decades, it has retained its reputation as a source of high-quality water and remains part of both family and urban memory, especially among the descendants of the benefactor, who continued to maintain their connection to this endowment even after the nationalization of the house. Thus, in 2007, the image of Marko Petković, which had been removed after the Second World War, was restored, thereby renewing the memory of its founder and his contribution to the city. Although the fountain’s water flow is now significantly lower than at the time of its construction, Markova Fountain remains one of the recognizable symbols of Zaječar’s urban heritage.