PRO #2: Nature - a way to escape

Serbian countryside

Outside of serbian cities, lies a rather different picture. I think Serbs should practise going out in the nature more often, because it's the best way to relax, but it isn't really common here unfortunately. In the place I live (a small municipality of Belgrade) I get these weird looks when taking a walk in the forest. Why is that so strange to people here, I'll never understand. Maybe it's just me? Or maybe Serbian people have distanced themselves so much from the nature that they've forgotten how beautiful and calming it is? Oh well...

If you look at Serbia as a whole, from north to south, you'll notice how the landscape varies and changes from plains and pastures to high mountains and canyons. For nature (and especially mountain) lovers, this really is the place to be. There are also numerous lakes, caves and waterfalls scattered throughout Serbia and even a few sandy terrains in nothern region Vojvodina. Serbia has in total of 6 national parks and handfull of other nature reserves and protected sites, which is quite a number I'd say.

Shumadija - region in central Serbia, named after the forests that once used to cover the largest part of its territory

Lazar's canyon in eastern Serbia

Not to mention how many mountains there are, all the way through the central, western, eastern and souther part of Serbia. Five of them are declared as national parks - Frushka Gora, Tara, Kopaonik, Zlatibor and Shar mountain. The 6th national park is Djerdap National Park, and it occupies the Djerdap gorge, that is (now comes the fun fact) the longest breakthrough gorge in Europe. And it's beautiful! At least from what I've seen from pictures. I have never visited it, but I'd love to do it one day, since that is one of those special, one of a kind places in Serbia - a must visit for sure. Serbs most often go to Kopaonik and Zlatibor, but to me Tara and Shar mountain seem the most appealing of all national parks. On Shar mountain there are many glacial lakes, and that is the only place in Serbia where they can be seen. Citizens of Belgrade mainly choose lower mountains that are situated near the capital, to escape from the crowd and relax over the weekend: Avala, Kosmaj and Frushka Gora mountain.

Avala mountain and its viewpoint (not far from Belgrade)

Glacial lake on Shar mountain (southern Serbia)

There are so many routes across Serbia you can take by bike or foot on your own or if you prefer, you can join some of the many sports associations and spend your free time roaming in the wild. I was thinking about joining one mountaineering association in Belgrade and explore our nature a bit more. I said earlier that people here have kind of distanced themselves from the nature, but there are also many, many people who are really into sports and outdoor activities, you just have to get to know them and I think these associations are the best place for that.

Speaking of mountains, at the foot of many serbian mountains, lie dozens of thermal and mineral springs. My only complaint to Serbia would be: Why aren't you using this great potential? We have over 200 mineral springs of which only 10% have been used and trasformed into spas. There are more than 40 spas in Serbia, but it's not like people outside of Serbia are talking about them or planning to visit. In this case, it's all about the quality, not quantity. It's not that we don't have any high-quality spas, it's just that they haven't yet reached the level of famous euopean spas, like Karlove Vari or Vichy. In the future, we should definitely rely on Serbia's natural advantages and treasures, invest in them, because their potential is obvious, and promote Serbia in a new, healthy kind of way, not only that of night-life and greasy food.