During the reign of the Roman Empire the city was called Hammeum. From the times of the Romans there are many written records and documents. In Prokuplje remains of Roman brick, Roman bath, and various objects of bronze were found. At Hisar hill located in the immediate vicinity of the city the Roman fortress was found. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Toplica region, and even the city went under the rule Byzantium, and Prokuplje were called Komblos.

The city under today’ name was first mentioned in the Charter of Princess Milica under the name of town of Saint-Procopius. Relics of the martyr St. Procopius lie in the Church in the town whose name it carries . After the outbreak of World War Prokuplje was found occupied by Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian forces. In 1917, due to great terror and torture by the invaders, a rebellion in Toplica was raised, known as Toplica uprise. However, the uprising was crushed, and Prokuplje is freed in 1918.

Prokuplje was again occupied in 1941 by the Bulgarians, and the suffering of the people lasted the entire four years, until the final liberation on 9th of October, 1945.

Sights:

• Valuble memorial of the Hissar fortress
• The remains of an ancient temple
• The remains of an early Cristian Church
• Latin Church from the XIV century
• Church of St. Prokopije from the IX or X century

Events:

• Celebration of the city feast day of St. Procopius (21st of July)
• International literary ‘Draincev meetings’ (August – September)
• International art colony, Memorial Boza Ilic (August)
• Cherry pickers meeting – Cherry days, in the village of Velika Plana near Prokuplje
• Internartional Children’s art colony, the Sun (August)
• Beer festival ‘Beer Fest’ (27th – 29th July)