{ { Infobox settlement
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = sr
| official_name = Arilje
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Town and municipality
| image_shield = COA Arilje.gif
| image_flag =
| image_skyline =
| image_caption = Clockwise, from top: Panorama of Arilje, town center promenade, 13th century Saint Achillius Church| image_map = Municipalities of Serbia Arilje.png | map_caption = Location of the municipality of Arilje within Serbia | mapsize = | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Šumadija and Western Serbia | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Zlatibor | established_title = | established_date = | established_title1 = Town status | established_date1 = 1880 | founder = Milan Obrenović IV | parts_type = Settlements | parts_style = para | p1 = 22 | leader_party = SNS | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Predrag Maslar | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | area_blank1_title = Town | area_blank1_km2 = 3.94 | area_blank2_title = Municipality | area_blank2_km2 = 349.06 | area_footnotes = | elevation_m = 350 | elevation_min_m = | elevation_max_m = 1328 | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = 2011 census | population_blank1_title = Town | population_blank1 = 6763 | population_density_blank1_km2 = auto | population_blank2_title = Municipality | population_blank2 = 18792 | population_density_blank2_km2 = auto | timezone = CET | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = CEST | utc_offset_DST = +2 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 31230 | blank_name = Car plates | blank_info = UE | area_code = +381(0)31 | area_code_type = Area code | website = }} Arilje (, ) is a town and municipality located in the Zlatibor District of southwestern Serbia. The population of the town is 6,763, while the municipality has 18,792 inhabitants. The town is famous for having large raspberry plantations in which many locals are employed.
Geography
The municipality of Arilje is located in western Serbia in the river basins of the clear mountain rivers of the Rzav and Moravica. It has a hilly-mountainous area at an altitude of 330 to 1,382 meters.
The municipality seat is situated at the confluence of the Rzav and Moravica rivers in a region described by many as a heavenly earth. There is numerous material evidence of continuous life in this region, from the prehistoric to contemporary time. There are many interesting facts associated to this place as well. The residents of Thessaly found refuge here in the 11th century, and with great trust they laid the relics of their St. Achileus into the existing temple. The town was named after this saint, and his cult is celebrated to this day as a people's holiday and patron saint of Arilje.
Climate
Arilje has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb), that's very close to an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb'').
History
In 1219 Sava Nemanjić proclaimed the Arilje monastery the seat of the Moravica episcopate that covered the territory of Arilje, Užice, Valjevo and Čačak. The first Serbian Orthodox Archbishop and later Metropolitan held court here. In 1296 king Dragutin Nemanjić erected his own memorial, a beautiful church, also called St. Achileus, and for over seven centuries it has been the symbol and pride of Arilje, as well as the center of spiritual gathering for the people of this region.
There are several churches and monasteries in this municipality. The Klisura monastery, 13 km away from Arilje, on the road to Ivanjica, is among the best known. It is dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, and was destroyed and reconstructed several times during its turbulent history. Today it is a convent. The oldest secular buildings preserved to this day are the house of colonel Jovan Mićić from 1823 and the old school founded in 1834.
In 1880, by decree of prince Milan Obrenović, Arilje was awarded the status of town.
King Milan Obrenović declared Arilje a municipality in 1882.
Settlements
Aside from the town of Arilje, the municipality includes the following settlements:
Bjeluša
Bogojevići
Brekovo
Cerova
Dobrače
Dragojevac
Grdovići
Grivska
Kruščica
Latvica
Mirosaljci
Pogled
Radobuđa
Radoševo
Severovo
Stupčevići
Trešnjevica
Vigošte
Virovo
Visoka
Vrane
Demographics
According to the 2011 census results, the municipality of Arilje has a population of 18,792 inhabitants.