The recorded history of the Ljig settlement itself begins in 1911, when a railroad was built between
Lajkovac and
Gornji Milanovac. The area, however, has a long history. The
Dići church was founded by Serbian nobleman
Vlgdrag, who was buried here in 1327. The ruins of the medieval
Vavedenje Monastery include impressive
sarcophagi dating from the 15th century, believed to belong to the Serbian despots
Stefan Branković and
Đurađ Branković. According to legend, Djuradj's wife, Jerina, was buried there as well. An early reference to "Ljig" can be found in the 17th century records of
Evliya Çelebi, which describe "LIGmehri" (the
Ljig River) rising from Kara Dag in the village Baht (today's
Ba) and flowing into the Kolubara River near
Valjevo. No settlement in the area was known to the
Austrians when they occupied Serbia from 1717 to 1739. By 1818, however, the nearby settlement
Gukosi had grown to 50 homes. A railway station was built in 1917 near the present-day center of Ljig. This lower area under the Gukoši hill includes a small settlement with a municipal court, school, inn, two stores, two textile mills, three tailors and several houses, and when still part of Gukoši had been referred to as the area "on the
Ljig River." During
World War I, the
Battle of Kolubara was fought nearby, making this area significant in history of Serbia and of war, and in military science. A monument memorializing the battle has been erected on Rajac Mountain. Ljig separated from
Gukoši in 1922, and by 1930 a school, health center and church were built. Prior to that time, Ljig residents had worshipped in
Moravci. ==Settlements==