In the latter times these regions were inhabited by Thracians and Illyrians, and Romans, and many of the Roman coins were found.

The settlement, located exactly at the place where the town is today, was first mentioned in the 11th century, in 1020t, under the name of Bela Crkva - in the charter of Emperor Basil II, which regulates the status of the Ohrid Archbishopric. The name of the town stayed that until the end of the sixteenth century, when it was first named Palanka, Velika Palanka even, and only Palanka again. Finally, after the World War II it was named Smederevska Palanka. There was no great destruction of Smederevska Palanka during the twentieth century wars.

Sights:

• Kamenita Cuprija – it was built in the old part of town in 1730, during the Austrian occupation. It was built out of limestone sedimentary rocks, that according to legend were brought from the ruins of Knez Lazar’s monastery in Vidova Voda.
• Wooden Church: built by Princ Milos from 1823-1830
• Koporin: medieval monastery located southeast of Palanka, built sometime around 1402 as endowement of Stefan Lazarevic.
• Wooden Church Pokajnica: located to the east of Palanka in the municipality of Velika Plana. The church was built in 1818 by the duke of Jesenac, Vujica Vujicevic as, like many beleave, repentance for murdering Karadjordje.
• Monument dedicated to July’s victims: high pyramid built in the place where remains of 16 partisans that were captured and executed in 1941 in the battle for Gradiste were burried.

Events:

• Days of Azanja’s cake: ethno – cultural event held in village Azanja in early August
• Days of Stanoje Glavas: two day event held in village Glibovac since 2005. in respect for the famous villager (August)
• Festival of new theatrical forms (October)
• Jasenica summer: folklore festival
• Krstovdan Fair: by decree of prince Milos Obrenovic, Smederevska Palanka celebrates day of St. John the Baptist on 27th and 28th of September, since 1834.