Овчарско-кабларска клисура

A holiday on the moveThe Ovčar Kablar Gorge

How to fully understand the meaning and impor-tance of nature? In the history of Western Civilization, this is and has constantly been the issue of philosophy, metaphys-ics, theology and science. The word “nature” originates from Latin word “natura” which implies “essential qualities”, in the ancient time it literary meant “birth”.

The Sun, water, endless floral and wooded land-scape…Most beautiful natural resorts are top destinations for travelling, exploring and broadening one’s mind. We have to know and truly understand nature if we want to preserve it. Humans, plant and animals together make this world and thus, we have to act responsibly in order to save the nature, its harmony and rules.

So, have a walk with us to ultimate natural attractions

of Serbia!

Nature

Ovcar- Kablar Gorge-a holiday on the move!

An Area of Outstanding Beauty Ovcar Kablar Gorge

Ovcar-Kablar gorge is one of the most beautiful gorges in Serbia, situated in central part of Serbia, about 8km far from Cacak and 150km far from Belgrade. Ovcar-Kablar gorge has been designated by the Serbian Govern-ment Regulation as a Protected Landscape of Exceptional Quality (SI No16/2000). This area has been attractive for centuries for its outstanding natural and monumental values. The main natural landmarks of the gorge are impressive massifs of Ovcar and Kablar mountains.

Flora The largest area of Ovcar-Kablar gorge is covered with forests and wooded land. Due to rich diversity of vegetation, this region is a real “museum in nature”, hosting multiple combi-nations of cohabitation of biologically different tree species. So far,over 700 plants and 20 kinds of wild orchids have been registered here.

Fauna Birds are most important and most ex-amined species of the gorge. The abundance of bird fauna ranks the gorge among internation-ally important areas for birds IBA (Important Bird Area).It is a shelter for rare and endan-gered bird species, not enough protected in Europe. Consequently, it is a part of ecological network of the Republic of Serbia and Natura 2000 Program - a European framework for protecting nature and biological diversity. Ovcar-Kablar gorge is a habitat of over 170 bird species, while contemporary nesting bird fauna reaches 98species.Over 40 species of mammals and 9 species of amphibians are settled in Ovcar-Kablar gorge.The most important hydrological feature of this landscape of outstanding qualities is the river Zapadna Morava (West Morava) with its remarkable meanders and lakes. The waters of protected area host 34 fishes from 9 families, 28 of which form the native fauna of this area.

A holiday on the move

Ovcar and Kablar Mountain Ovcar , 985m high, is the highest mountain in Cacak region. It is predom-inantly composed of limestone and dolomite. Steep limestone slope facing the river Zapadna Morava is cut through by Ovcar-Kablar gorge- landscape of exceptional qualities. Thick forests, pastures and orchards cover this mountain. On the northern slopes, hidden deep in the forests, there are monasteries that make a part of “Serbian Holly Mountain”. The top of the mountain can be reached by narrow road through the village of Ducalovici from the east, or by trekking path “Ovcar” from Ovcar Banja (spa), past monaster-ies of “St Trojice” (Holy Trinity) and “Sretenje” (Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary), from the west. The peak of the highest mountain in Ca-cak’s area provides breathtaking view over Ca-cak’s valley, the gorge and meandering Zapadna Morava river.

Kablar mountain, 885m high is sepa-rated from Ovcar in the south by deeply cut gorge. The southern slopes are steep and rocky, while northern and eastern ones are covered with forests, orchards and pastures. The slopes of this mountain are a home to 5 monasteries and one small shrine-the church of “St Sava” carved into a cave. At the foot of this mountain, near the monastery of “Nikolje” (St Nicolas) there is a Hiking house, the starting point of hiking trails “leading” to concurring the top of this mountain. Hiking organization “Kablar” organizes trips and hiking through the slopes of Kablar and its surrounding. In the village of Rosci, on the north slope, there is a school which is also an educa-tional summer camp for pupils, teachers, explor-ers and all other nature lovers.

The river Zapadna Morava The river Zapadna Morava, together with Golijska Moravica, 308km long, is one of the longest rivers in Serbia. Its valley is composite since it runs through 4 valleys and one of the most beautiful gorges in Europe- Ovcar-Kablar gorge. The river runs through and by a number of towns: Cacak, Kraljevo, Krusevac…The most beautiful section of its flow is in the area of protected natural land-scape- Ovcar- Kablar gorge and Ovcar Banja, meandering in the shape of letter S between 2 mountains: Ovcar and Kablar. A famous Serbian scientist Jovan Cvijic named them “drafted Mendri” or “curving meanders”.

A holiday on the move

Two lakes in Ovcar-Kablar gorge which exist due to building of concrete dams on the river Zapadna Morava are Ovcar-Kablar and Medjuvrsje.

Ovcar-Kablar lake was made by building a dam upstream from the railway bridge, former narrow railroad Cacak-Uz-ice. It is a small artificial lake of a flowing type. It is about 7 km long and up to 350 m wide. Medjuvrsje lake is the largest artifi-cial lake on the river Zapadna Morava, made by building a dam in Medjuvrsje, with total capacity of 18.5 million m³. The area of the lake is mainly hilly and wooded and on the right bank of it there is an angling path.

Besides angling path for fishing for sport, one can also enjoy in boat trips on the lake, or walks and breaks from them, at restaurants on the bank or on the raft which offer delicious traditional food.

Lakes

In the heart of Ovcar-Kablar gorge, sur-rounded by greenery of vast, thick forests, there is a spring of thermal-mineral water Ovcar Banja (spa). This well-hidden pearl of nature is located 18km far from Cacak on the way to West Serbia region. In addition to thermal-mineral springs used for thera-peutic purposes, this spa is one of a kind in Serbia because it is situated in the region of exceptional quality, surrounded by the river, lakes and vast greenery of Ovcar and Kablar mountains.

Thermal-mineral water in Ovcar Banja is of a volcanic origin of Sumadija type containing calcium, lithium, rubidium, cesium and strontium. The temperature of the water is 35°C-38°C, Ph val-ue is 7 – neutral, and mineralization is 0.66g/l. It is also mildly radioactive because it contains radon, uranium and radium. Healing water is used for treating rheumatic diseases. muscular injuries and skin disorders.

Mild, moderately-continental climate is suitable for diversity of flora and fauna, especially for thick forests and vegetation, so the clear and fresh air improve general health of people.

Visitors of Ovcar Banja can see valu-able cultural-historical heritage of the monas-teries “Nikolje”( St Nicolas) and “Blagovestenje” (Holy Annunciation) ,located in the spa itself , but they can also easily reach other monasteries in the mountains Ovcar and Kablar.

The river Zapadna Morava (West Mora-va) runs through Ovcar Banja and its banks are fa-vorite resting places for people who enjoy in sports, recreation or simply in natural beauties.Ovcar Banja is the right place for holiday in nature, relaxation and both physical and mental recovery and inspiration.

Ovčar Banja (spa)

A holiday on the move

Mountains, the river and lakes of Ovcar-Kablar gorge are ideal spots for angling, alpinism, paragliding, mountaineering, rafting, horseback –riding and endur-ance riding, swimming…

Some events are specially popular, such as Swim-ming Marathon, Ovcar-Kablar Regatta, Big Mountain Race and many other sport events that always attract nu-merous participants and spectators.

Horse-riding club “Griva” from the village of Pri-jevor, organizes horseback-riding school for both children and adults, as well as riding through Ovcar-kablar gorge landscapes.

There are also clubs which provide alpinist cours-es since there are numerous clearly marked trekking trails leading all the way to the top of the mountains.

The starting point for paragliding is the launch-ing site on top of Ovcar, proving unforgettable view of wavy mountain slopes, meadows and wooded areas.

A holiday on the move

A holiday on the move

One can also reach most beautiful spots in Ovcar-Kablar gorge from the river and lakes. Tourists are most impressed by panoramic view of numerous bird species, wooded mountain slopes intersected by lime-stone cliffs, caves and monasteries of Serbian Holy Mountain. In summer, the river is a meeting point of water-sports fans who take part in Ovcar-Kablar Regatta and Swimming Mara-thon. Free-diving and swimming courses for children are also organized for the visitors of Ovcar Banja. Angling is very popular as the river and lakes are abundant with bleak, bream, barbell, carp… The soothing murmur coming from the surrounding nature, water and greenery can be quite sufficient for moments of rest and relaxation.

A holiday on the move

A holiday on the move

Ovcar-Kablar Gorge is a region famous for its natural beauty and a number of ancient monasteries gathered on a relatively small area, which preserve unique cultural, artistic and historical heritage of this re-gion. The slopes of Ovcar are the home to “Sretenje”, “Sveta Trojica”, ”Va-vedenje”, “Vaznesenje” and “Probrazenje” and mountain Kablar proudly keeps “Nikolje”, “Blagovestenje”, “Jovanje”, “Uspenje”, the curch of St Ilija, two small shrines: “St Sava” church and “Kadjenica” on the bank of the river Zapadna Morava. Monasteries can be reached by well-marked trekking trails and one can find peace and quiet there, while enjoying memorable view of natural beauty, wooded mountains and the meandering river Zapadna Morava.

Monasteries of the Ovcar Kablar Gorge

Information - Accommodation WELLNESS CENTER KABLAR – Ovčar Banja ................... +381 32 55 96 106Restaurant with accommodation “DOM“ .................. ..........+381 32 55 96 200„SUNCE“ – Ovčar Banja ........................................................ +381 60 824 76 02Mountain House „Kablar“– Ovčar Banja .............................. +381 64 852 60 48„DEBELA GORA“ - Ovčar Banja ............................................ +381 32 55 96 193SZTUR „BLEF“ – Ovčar Banja ............................................... +381 32 55 96 176Villa „NENAD“- Ovčar Banja ................................................. +381 64 426 18 33Maletić Dušanka i Violeta - Ovčar Banja ................................ +381 32 55 96 104Šević Dragoljub - Ovčar Banja ................................................. + 381 32 55 96 152Đukić Vesna – Ovčar Banja ...................................................... +381 32 55 96 156

Mirko Plazinić – Međuvršje ..................................................... +381 32 55 96 226Lukić Nemanja – Međuvršje .................................................... +381 63 804 45 84 Restaurants “Plaža”, lake Međuvršje ...................................................... +381 32 55 96 218“Santa Maria”, lake Međuvršje ........................................... +381 32 55 96 226“Lanterna“, lake Međuvršje ............................................... +381 32 55 96 208“Dom”, Ovčar Banja ................................................................. +381 32 55 96 200 “Kablar”, Ovčar Banja .............................................................. +381 32 55 96 102“Blef ”, Ovčar Banja .................................................................. +381 32 55 96 176

Bus Terminal Čačak .......................................................................... + 381 32 222 461Railway station in Čačak .................................................................. + 381 32 222 518Railway station in Požega ................................................................. + 381 31 3816 460Post office – Ovčar Banja ................................................................. + 381 32 55 96 100

Cacak Tourist organizationGradsko šetalište bb, 32000 Čačak +381 32 343 721, 342 360 toc@ptt.rs, www.turizamcacak.org.rsInfo center Ovčar Banja : +381 32 5596 366

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A holiday on the move

ISBN 978-86-84739-27-0

Publisher: Cacak Tourist OrganizationFor the publisher: Dragomir SavicAuthors: Gordana Majstorović, Uros PantovićDesign and technical preparation: Verica ObradovićPrinting: “Majstorović” CacakPublished: 2015. City: Čačak

Photographs by: Miroslav Predojević, Milan Markovic,Slobodan Pajic, Dragan Babovic, Bojan Pajic, Miroslav Petrovic Mi-lorad Drča, Branka Vucicevic Vuckovic, Simonides Nikolić, Nebojša Stanojlović, Vladimir Mijailovic, Sreten Pantelic, Vera Bukvic, Ana Beljić, Dragan Bosnic, PD “Kablar”, Dragan Pantelic, Stefan Lukic, PI “Tourist Organization Cacak