Pre-Roman artifacts from the Late Iron Age, have been discovered in Ritopek. The most representative is the Scythian styled pendant from the 5th century BC, a representation of a stylized griffin's head with tentacles. The remains belonging to the Scordisci, a Celtic tribe which founded Singidunum, the predecessor of Belgrade, were also found in Ritopek. In Roman times, the fortress of Tricornium existed at the site of Ritopek. It contained an important military campCastra Tricornia. The name originated from three distinctive hills dominating the landscape, one of which was later washed away into the Danube river. The settlement gave name to the Romanized Thracio-Celtic tribe of the Tricornenses. A ceremonial breast plate with stylistic illustrations belonging to Legio VII Claudia soldier Aurelius Herculanus and dating from 258 AD has been found, as have many other artifacts of the Roman period such as silver coins that were washed ashore once the dam of the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station was constructed. Tricornium was one of the forts built to protect the Via Militaris road. Other known forts include Mutatio ad Sextum Militare, in Grocka, and Mutatio ad Sextum, in Mali Mokri Lug. Well preserved bust of the Roman emperorMacrinus was found in the nearby Boleč. The elementary school in Ritopek was one of the first schools in Serbia, established in 1838. Together with the school, the villagers built the first church which was completed in 1868 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Ritopek is frequently damaged by flooding of the Danube.
Economy
Ritopek's economy is almost entirely based on agriculture, especially intensive fruit growing. Vast orchards surround the village. The villagers live off growing cherries, apricots, and apples, and vineyards were farmed in the past. A summer festival, Dani trešnje is held in the village. As the village is stretched almost 5 km along the road, new section on the road of Smederevski put is modern, commercially oriented, and connects the built-up area of Ritopek with Boleč and Vinča, thus making Ritopek the easternmost part of the continuous built-up area of Belgrade.
Population
Ritopek is statistically classified as a rural settlement. Historical population of Ritopek according to the official censuses:
