Description:
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 length of 32 kilometres. Its highest peak, Jankov kamen (1,833 m) 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 1389. 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 forests to form a seeming spider’s web that only the locals can navigate well, Golija is still a bit of a 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 rainforests. 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 boasts common examples of tertiary flora. Of the approximately 900 plant species, the ones that stand out are endemic and ancient species that have become endangered. Preserved natural rarities on the mountain include sycamore, which is synonymous with the flora of Golija. In terms of protection of the mountain sycamore and its
community, it is very important that this species survived the Ice Age and is still preserved in its original form in parts.Particularly important species also include the holly, Pancic’s Picea bedrenica and Adamovic thyme – a species of international importance for biodiversity conservation. Significant botanical areas of Mount Golija also include broad leafed coniferous forests in addition to 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 endangered 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, Serbian rulers built here. Cultural monuments of great importance certainly include the monasteries of Studenica (12th century) and Gradac (13th
century). Today, Golija is home to people who live in complete harmony with nature. Rare communities of several wooden houses in the meadows, slopes or lowlands are home
to people engaged in wood processing, cattle breeding, the production of honey and dairy products. Residents of Golija wisely protect their mountain: “If every man knew which tree was his, he would never cut it down”