Primordial beauty, preserved nature, rich flora and fauna, many springs, rivers and streams with extremely clear water; various items of culture and history deeply embedded in the soil - all helped to ensure that Golija Nature Park was declared Serbia's first Biosphere Reserve Golija-Studenica following a decision made by the UNESCO commission.
Golija, the highest mountain of southwest Serbia, is shaped in the form of the letter "S" and has a lenght of 32 kilometres. Its highest peak, Jankov kamen (1.833m) was named after Janko Sibinjanin, who, according to legend, placed a stone obelisk at the very top of the mountain during his return from the Battle of Kosovo in 1.389. Even if this is not true, it is easy to believe when one stands at the top of the mountain and looks down her slopes. This is because Golija is truly a mountain of primeval beauty. Fairly sparsely populated, with many earth and grass paths intersecting through dense forest to form a seeming spider's web that only the locals can navigate well, Golija is still a bit of wild, untamed, unkempt mountain. Indeed,that is the source of all of her outer beauty.
This so-called "Mountain of Water" boasts springs throughout its territory, with around 100 recorded. Golija is one of the few mountains in Serbia where glacial phenomena can be observed. It has two peculiar looking lakes: Dajicko and Okruglica. Below the Crepuljak peak lie the Big and Little Kosanin lakes, which were named by the great Serbian botanist and hydro biologist Nedeljko Kosanin, who studied the natural beauty of this area for many years.
Golija, the highest mountain of southwest Serbia, is shaped in the form of the letter "S" and has a lenght of 32 kilometres. Its highest peak, Jankov kamen (1.833m) was named after Janko Sibinjanin, who, according to legend, placed a stone obelisk at the very top of the mountain during his return from the Battle of Kosovo in 1.389. Even if this is not true, it is easy to believe when one stands at the top of the mountain and looks down her slopes. This is because Golija is truly a mountain of primeval beauty. Fairly sparsely populated, with many earth and grass paths intersecting through dense forest to form a seeming spider's web that only the locals can navigate well, Golija is still a bit of wild, untamed, unkempt mountain. Indeed,that is the source of all of her outer beauty.
This so-called "Mountain of Water" boasts springs throughout its territory, with around 100 recorded. Golija is one of the few mountains in Serbia where glacial phenomena can be observed. It has two peculiar looking lakes: Dajicko and Okruglica. Below the Crepuljak peak lie the Big and Little Kosanin lakes, which were named by the great Serbian botanist and hydro biologist Nedeljko Kosanin, who studied the natural beauty of this area for many years.
Golija is adorned with expansive forest cover. These are generally beech forests, while some parts have the characteristics of rainforest. Its slopes are covered with large meadows and pastures. In the spruce forests are preserved peat-land areas with highly specific and sensitive ecosystems with, rare and rich, flora and fauna. The mountain boast common examples of tertiary flora. Of the approximately 900 plants species, the ones that stand out are andemic and ancient species that have become endangered. Preserve natural rarites on the mountain include sycamore, which is synonymous with the flora of Golija. In terms of protection of the mountain stcamore and its community, it is very important that this species survived the Ice Age and still preserved in its original form of parts.
Particulary important species also include tha holly, Pancic's Picea berdenica and Adamovic thyme - a species of international importance for biodiversity conversation. Significant botanical areas of Mount Golija also include broad leafer coniferous forests in additionto sub-alpine fir. Golija is one of the most important European centres of ornithological diversity. Its forests are home to a recorded 45 bird species belonging to the group of natural rarities and some 90 species that are candidates for the Red Book of birds of Serbia, which further indicates the importance of Golija as a biosphere reserve for the preservation of rare and endangeres species of birds. Fauna consists of species common to the mountains of Serbia and wildlife includes foxes, hares, wild boars and deer.
The beauty of this mountain and the entire area surrounding it, proved irresistible to humans even in ancient times. As early as the 12th and 13th centuries, Serbia rulers built here. Cultural monument of great importance certinly include the monasteries of Studenica (12thcentury) and Gradac (13thcentury). Today, Golija is home to people tho live in complete harmuny with nature. Rare communities of several wooden houses in the meadows, slopes of lowlands are home to people engaged in wood processing, cattle breeding, the production or honey and dairy products. Residents of Golija wisely protect their mountain: "If every man know which tree was his, he would never cut it down"
Particulary important species also include tha holly, Pancic's Picea berdenica and Adamovic thyme - a species of international importance for biodiversity conversation. Significant botanical areas of Mount Golija also include broad leafer coniferous forests in additionto sub-alpine fir. Golija is one of the most important European centres of ornithological diversity. Its forests are home to a recorded 45 bird species belonging to the group of natural rarities and some 90 species that are candidates for the Red Book of birds of Serbia, which further indicates the importance of Golija as a biosphere reserve for the preservation of rare and endangeres species of birds. Fauna consists of species common to the mountains of Serbia and wildlife includes foxes, hares, wild boars and deer.
The beauty of this mountain and the entire area surrounding it, proved irresistible to humans even in ancient times. As early as the 12th and 13th centuries, Serbia rulers built here. Cultural monument of great importance certinly include the monasteries of Studenica (12thcentury) and Gradac (13thcentury). Today, Golija is home to people tho live in complete harmuny with nature. Rare communities of several wooden houses in the meadows, slopes of lowlands are home to people engaged in wood processing, cattle breeding, the production or honey and dairy products. Residents of Golija wisely protect their mountain: "If every man know which tree was his, he would never cut it down"